Lawsuits on Paraquat and Parkinson Disease Injury

With the lawsuits against Paraquat, the plaintiffs are seeking damages for Parkinson’s disease which is associated with extensive exposure to Paraquat herbicide.

What Is Paraquat?

Paraquat is a widely popular herbicide available since 1962 that is used for killing weed and as a post-harvest drying agent. For mixing, using and loading Paraquat, one has to complete Environmental Protection Agency-approved training program. This herbicide is restricted and is highly potential for poisoning or misuse. According to CDC, Paraquat is more harmful than many other herbicides. The toxicity can manifest from skin absorption, ingestion or inhalation. This is associated with birth defects, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

It is generally applied on the leaves killing weeds. It is sprayed right before crops are planted and for killing marijuana plants in the USA and Mexico.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that can happen to people in their mid or later years of life. It affects the motor systems causing tremors in arms and legs, impaired balance and coordination, rigid body limbs and slow movement. This is s chronic and progressive disease from which you can get relief with some medical therapies but not permanently.

If you or your loved ones have been using Paraquat for a long time and already showing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, then come to us at Youngstown Criminal Law Group. Our experienced Cleveland Paraquat lawyer will be able to help you with your damage claim.

Things to Know About Paraquat Lawsuit

In an experiment in the 1980s in Southern California, it was revealed that MPTP, a heroin contaminant with a similar structure to Paraquat, can cause neurological issues while destroying the dopamine neurons causing Parkinson’s disease.

In 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that at the time of mixing, loading and applying herbicide as well as post-application time, it causes exposure for the people who are handling it. And this exposure is not just limited in the case of those who are directly exposed to it but also to the residents who live around the farm where the herbicide is used.

According to the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2009, the risks of the disease get increased for those who live around 1600 feet of the place where the herbicide is sprayed. In 2014, the Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology published some information about Environmental Toxins and Parkinson’s disease. This study not only establishes paraquat to be a cause of Parkinson’s disease but also reveals that the pesticide applicators who are also exposed to paraquat are twice at risk as to the general people. In their announcement in 2016, the EPA talked about their re-evaluation of paraquat and its potential link to Parkinson’s disease.

On 2017, July 24, the EPA received a letter from the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council where all members signed stating facts that show a clear connection of paraquat and Parkinson’s disease. They also urged EPA for the cancellation of the registration of Paraquat.

The letter also showed some inevitable expenses that someone has to carry if affected,

• $26,400 for the care of the patient of Parkinson’s disease
• $19.8 to $26.4 billion burdens economically for the country
• Costs for programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security Disability Insurance.

In October 2017 a lawsuit was filed against the manufacturing company Syngenta and Growmark. It was on behalf of the agriculture workers and farmers for exposure to paraquat and onset of Parkinson’s disease.

So, if you are seeking justice as you or your loved ones have developed the signs of Parkinson’s disease, then come to us at Youngstown Criminal Law Group. Our Cleveland Paraquat lawyer will take care of your claim.