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What Is Paraquat?
Paraquat is a commonly used, highly toxic chemical herbicide that has been in use for many decades. It was originally invented to control weeds and grass in farming situations. The highest risk for exposure occurs in farmers and agricultural laborers. However, for civilians who live in close proximity to industrial farms or commercial facilities that make use of Paraquat can also be at risk to Paraquat exposure.
Chronic Paraquat exposure, according to the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council, says that the evidence collected from multiple studies shows a major increase in the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease from Paraquat exposure anywhere from 200-600%.
Linking Paraquat to Parkinson’s Disease
Paraquat Attorney Specialist
While the toxic chemical herbicide Paraquat has been linked to a number of side effects, one of the most prominent links is that between Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease.
As of today, Paraquat is banned in more than 32 countries throughout the globe, including many in China and the European Union. However, this toxic herbicide has yet to be banned in the United States. Unfortunately for many farmers and agricultural laborers, the use of Paraquat is now growing and farms are using it more than ever. Any individuals who are to use Paraquat must receive special training beforehand, which allows them to mix, load, and apply the herbicide. In this special training, the individual will receive an applicator license.
“The paraquat training module emphasizes the importance of handling paraquat safely because of its extreme toxicity,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Paraquat is one of the nation’s most widely used herbicides according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In fact, almost 11 million pounds of Paraquat are used for crops in the United States each and every year.
Simple Reasons
While Paraquat is used on many different products, it is most often associated with:?
● Corn
● Soybeans
● Alfalfa
● Cotton
● Grapes
● Pasture
● Orchards
There are states where the use of Paraquat is more common on than others, including:
● Alabama
● Arkansas
● California
● Florida
● Georgia
● Kansas
● Kentucky
● Illinois
● Indiana
● Missouri
● North Carolina
● South Carolina
● Tennessee
● Texas
Should You File a Paraquat Lawsuit?
Were you diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease after exposure to Paraquat at any point in your life? If so, you may have the right to file a legal claim. Farmers, herbicide applicators, agricultural laborers, or individuals with a history of Paraquat exposure may be entitled to compensation for the following:
● Medical expenses surrounding the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
● Past, present, and future wages lost
● Past, present, and future loss of life enjoyment
● Pain and suffering
● Additional Paraquat-related damages
● Funeral expenses as a result of Paraquat exposure
Finding the Right Paraquat Lawyer for Your Needs
Find out if you may qualify for compensation
Finding the Right Paraquat Lawyer for Your Needs
When looking for the right Paraquat lawyer for you needs, it is crucial to make sure that the lawyer you choose has enough experience in dealing with these kinds of cases so that they can build your case properly.
There are many things to look for when trying to find the right lawyer for your Paraquat lawsuit, including:
● Successful Track Record – If the Paraquat lawyers that you choose have not won any cases and received settlements for their clients in the past, it might not be a wise idea to have them represent you.
● Free Consultation – Make sure to ask if the legal firm you are looking into offers their clients a free, no-obligation Paraquat lawsuit consultation. If they don’t, you could end up spending a lot of money for no reason at all.
● Experience – This goes hand-in-hand with their track record. Make sure that the legal firm you are looking at has the proper experience to fulfill your Paraquat case needs.
Receiving a Settlement For Your Losses
If you developed Parkinson’s Disease while working on or living near a commercial farm that made use of Paraquat, then you may be entitled to lawsuit settlement compensation speak to a Paraquat Attorney today to see if you may qualify for compensation!
One of a kind
How can I get my settlement for my Paraqaut case?
Paraquat settlements come to a conclusion when both the defendant and the plaintiff decide upon a financial settlement that is fair for both parties based on the claims and the injuries. If both parties are not able to come to an agreement on the settlement, then the case will go to court and be put in front of a jury. The jury will then determine if your case is means for a settlement.
You can give us a call here at Gancedo Law Firm if you’re interested in whether or not you can receive a free case review for the Paraquat lawsuit with your particular case.
A History of Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease
Paraquat first came around back in the 1960s as an herbicide that was used to prevent the growth of weeds and grass in commercial farming and crops. From its manufacturing stage, the producers of Paraquat understood its toxicity levels.
In 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that exposure to Paraquat during the mixing, loading and application process was potentially harmful.
The American Journal of Epidemiology revealed back in 2009 that exposure to Paraquat, even for those that were just within 1,600 feet of where Paraquat was being used, increased the probability of developing Parkinson’s Disease by up to 75%.
In 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency received a letter from the Parkinson’s Advocacy Council, which read:
“strong scientific evidence linking the herbicide to Parkinson’s, including one study that found people exposed to paraquat at a younger age — in their teen or young adult years — had an increased Parkinson’s risk of 200 to 600 percent, depending on the overall number of years of exposure.”
Beyond individual pain and suffering, there were many economic costs that came with Parkinson’s disease, which were made publicly available in the letter:
● An economic burden between $19.8 billion and $26.8 billion in the United States
● A yearly expenditure of $26,400 for individual Parkinson’s Disease care
● Associated costs with reliance programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Disability, and more
We now know that Paraquat is so poisonous that even ingesting a small sip of it can be lethal. Beyond the dangers of Paraquat exposure, there is not an antidote available, speak to a Paraquat Lawyer for a free case review.
Hundreds of cases
An individual may become poisoned by Paraquat Herbicide if they:
● Ingest or inhale it
● Come into physical contact with plants that have been sprayed
● Get in physical contact with Paraquat
● Mix, load, or apply Paraquat herbicide
Paraquat now has a number of safeguards around it due to its high toxicity levels. If you purchase it in the United States, you will find that there are many safeguards to keep people from consuming the herbicide.
Some of the important safeguards to note surrounding Paraquat include:
● Blue dye, which helps differentiate it from popular beverages
● Unique chemical agent to induce vomiting in case of ingestion
● Foul and strong chemical odor
However, if the Paraquat you use is purchased anywhere but the United States, it is not guaranteed that these types of safeguards will be in place. If this is the case, you might be at higher risk for poisoning.
Of course, these kinds of precautions and safeguards don’t do anything to help those who are harmed by Paraquat when working on the job. They especially don’t provide any protection for those who live near farms or commercial workspaces where Paraquat is being used.
If you believe that your recent exposure to Paraquat was the cause of your Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis, then you may be entitled to compensation. Make sure to reach out to us here at Gancedo Law Firm, as we can provide you with a free consultation to get you the help that you need.
Get Your Free Case Review Today!
To set up your free consultation with us here at Gancedo Law Firm and find out whether or not you are eligible to receive compensation through a Paraquat lawsuit, make sure to get in touch with us at our toll-free number just as many other Paraquat victims have.
You can talk to one of our Paraquat attorneys who is standing by to help you in your case.
Our success speaks for itself, as we have been the representatives of thousands of individuals who experienced illness or death from these toxic chemicals.
Free Case Evaluation
Call us 24/7 at (877) 216-1960 or fill out the form below to receive a free and confidential initial consultation.
Legal Claims Surrounding Paraquat
Because Paraquat is such an incredibly toxic herbicide, poisoning can even take place after a very short exposure. However, severe injuries, disease developments, and death are the more frightening consequences that come from prolonged Paraquat exposure. Ingestion or exposure of this highly toxic herbicide is the cause of several health issues and risks, one of which is the risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.
However, there are many other side effects of Paraquat exposure to be aware of, including:
● Lung failure
● Confusion
● Coma
● Increased heart rate
● Dehydration
● Nausea
● Bloody Stool
● Diarrhea
● Vomiting
● Muscle fatigue
● Seizures
● Pain or Swelling around the throat and mouth
Besides these side effects, there are plenty of more serious and long-term health problems that stem from Paraquat exposure and poisoning, including:
● Multiple System Atrophy
● Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
● Atypical Parkinson’s
● Parkinson’s Disease
If you were exposed to the herbicide Paraquat and as a result were diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, then you may be entitled to compensation. Make sure to get in touch with us here at Gancedo Law Firm to obtain a free legal consultation.
Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
Parkinson’s Disease is what the scientific community refers to as a neurodegenerative brain disorder. This disorder gets progressively worse as time goes on, reducing the control of both motor and non-motor functions due to the loss of dopamine transmitters and neurons in the brain.
As of today, there is no known cure for Parkinson’s Disease. However, there are plenty of treatment options out there for those who are struggling with symptoms.
Some of the most common symptoms that people with Parkinson’s Disease deal with are motor symptoms. Motor symptoms are those that affect your motor skills and movement, including you ability to walk and control the movements of your body.
There are many motor symptoms correlated with Parkinson’s Disease, some of the most common being:
- Instable posture or impaired balance
● Bradykinesia (slow reflexes and reduced voluntary movement)
● Resting tremors (shaking while muscles are in a relaxed state)
● Stiffness or rigidity in the limbs (passive movement resistance)
Parkinson’s Disease patients often deal with difficulty in talking and walking as time goes on.
Beyond issues with motor skills, there are many Parkinson’s Disease patients that end up dealing with non-motor symptoms as well. These types of symptoms are often incredibly disruptive when it comes to daily operations.
Some of the most common Parkinson’s Disease non-motor symptoms include:
- Constipation
● Cognitive Impairment
● Apathy
● Insomnia
● Depression
● Lack of motivation
● Lack of interest in certain activities
● Memory loss
● Thought problems
● Anxiety
● Visual hallucinations
● Delusions
● Paranoia
People exposed to Paraquat may also experience a number of physical changes, including:
- Excessive daytime tiredness
● Pain
● Drooling
● Skin changes
● Problems sleeping
● Problems with speech
● Loss of smell
● Problems with swallowing
● Changes in weight
● Changes in vision