You Maybe Entitled To Compensation
Paraquat is a chemical used in several herbicides. It is suspected to contribute to the development of Parkinson’s disease or even cause it to develop. At least, it has a very similar effect on those who are exposed to the chemical.
If you have been exposed to Paraquat, you should strongly consider having a consultation with a Paraquat Parkinson’s Disease attorney. You should consider this even if you do not have symptoms of Parkinson’s now.
To understand the Paraquat-Parkinson’s connection, it is best to focus on one lawsuit that cuts to the heart of the matter.
From approximately 1969 through 1981, a crop duster named Michael Kearns “inhaled, ingested or absorbed” Paraquat (Paraquat dichloride) as part of his normal herbicide distribution work. Kerns was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2019.
There is a preponderance of circumstantial evidence that links Paraquat to Parkinson’s disease and a substantial amount of research that leads towards a conclusion that Paraquat can cause Parkinson's. Kearns, discovering the suspected link, filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer and distributor of the herbicide.
While it is not the first or only lawsuit pertaining to Paraquat, it is very illustrative of the link, its impact and the negligence on the part of the defendants.
Kearns’ lawsuit was filed in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Syngenta Crop Protection LLC and its subsidiaries (Syngenta AG, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP, Chevron U.S.A., Inc., and Growmark Inc.)
The suit alleges strict product liability and negligence, a violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. It also alleges breach of implied warranty of merchantability and several other claims.
Several lawsuits have been filed across jurisdictions, including one in 2017 on behalf of farmers and agricultural workers who had developed Parkinson’s after being exposed to Paraquat. The multiple lawsuits have led to an attempt to consolidate into one suit.
Farmers and Farm Workers: This includes anyone that handled or was exposed to an herbicide that has Paraquat as an ingredient even if the exposure was seldom and/or nominal.
Victims of Herbicide Drift: The people who qualify as at-risk under this definition live or work in adjacent or nearby properties from where paraquat has been used. One study in particular highlights this connection.
Water: A study in Texas found that in areas where Paraquat is used, it was present in the drinking water. The study in question included 29 utilities and more than 1.2 million people.
Food Residue: Anyone that eats food grown in an area that utilized an herbicide with Paraquat as an ingredient risks exposure. This connection is highly contested. Exposure to the chemical in this manner likely would be caused by improper cleaning of fruits or vegetables.
Licensed Applicators: Anyone who applies herbicide commercially is potentially exposed to Paraquat. This includes landscapers and groundskeepers.
Legal Options
It is highly likely that all claims against the manufacturer of the herbicide that uses Paraquat will be consolidated into one Paraquat lawsuit.
If you have been exposed to Paraquat or suspect that you have been exposed either directly or indirectly, whether you have Parkinson’s or not, you should get a free legal consultation from an experienced attorney.
If you already have Parkinson’s and you think you were exposed to this weed killer causing Parkinson’s, you should have a consultation with Paraquat Parkinson’s disease attorneys at a minimum, to see if you qualify to file or join a lawsuit.
Finally, if you have experienced Paraquat poisoning of any kind, even incidentally, you should talk to an attorney as there may be legal options for you to consider.
Paraquat is a chemical used as a weed killer, pre-harvest desiccant and grass controller. It is used in vegetable fields as well as orchards and on highway shoulder and medians, and commercial properties such as factories, office buildings and parkways.
Syngenta is the major manufacturer of Paraquat, which has a trade name of Gramoxone. Syngenta is owned by ChemChina.
Usually sold under the trade name Gramoxone, Paraquat the herbicide is also sold under several different names, for example:
While an exact cause is not known, there is overwhelming evidence, found in multiple studies, spanning over 20 years that indicate significantly higher rates of Parkinson’s disease among those exposed to Paraquat versus the general population. In head-to-head studies, where those exposed are compared to those who are not, doing the same or similar work, the rate of Parkinson’s was much higher among those exposed.
Parkinson’s is a movement disorder that damages the part of the brain that controls movement. The classic symptom of Parkinson’s is involuntary shaking. Other symptoms include stiff muscles, slow movement and poor balance. Among those with Parkinson, it is not uncommon for the afflicted to experience sleep problems, depression, anxiety, memory loss and fatigue.
Approximately 1 million Americans suffer from Parkinson’s. Men are more likely to develop Parkinson’s. Incidents of Parkinson’s in people over 70 are much higher than that of the general population. There is no cure for Parkinson’s but there are multiple treatments.