Parkinson’s Paraquat Lawsuit – Pesticide Attorney
Parkinson’s disease can strike farmers who were exposed to Paraquat (Gramoxone), a toxic herbicide. Lawsuits have been filed that allege the onset of Parkinson’s was caused by Paraquat exposure.
Matthews & Associates Law Firm is developing cases for people who were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following Paraquat (Gramoxone) exposure. Anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after being exposed to Paraquat is invited to email us for a free legal case consultation.
Use the form at this link to contact our Pesticide Litigation Group, or call us toll free any time: (888) 923-7001.
We may file or settle a claim individually or as part of a group on a case-by-case basis.
Whether your claim is filed individually or as part of a group fighting the same defendant, our goal is always to provide each of our clients with individual attention.
Common Uses of Paraquat and How Exposure Occurs
What is Paraquat Used For?
Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide widely used in the agricultural industry to control weeds and grasses resistant to other herbicides. It is commonly applied to crops like corn, soybeans, cotton, and fruit orchards. Farmers and agricultural workers use Paraquat to prepare fields for planting and manage overgrowth during the growing season.
How Does Exposure to Paraquat Happen?
Paraquat exposure can occur in several ways, particularly for those who work with or live near areas where the herbicide is applied:
- Direct Application: Farmers and agricultural workers may be exposed while mixing, loading, or spraying Paraquat. The risk is heightened when personal protective equipment (PPE) is not used.
- Drift Exposure: Nearby residents may inhale or come into contact with Paraquat carried by the wind from treated fields.
- Contaminated Surfaces: Paraquat can linger on clothing, equipment, or surfaces, posing risks to those who handle contaminated items.
- Groundwater Contamination: In areas where Paraquat has been heavily used, groundwater contamination can lead to indirect exposure.
- Accidental Ingestion or Contact: Paraquat is often sold with dyes and emetics to deter accidental ingestion. However, mishandling or improper storage can still lead to exposure.
How to Prove Exposure to Paraquat
To succeed in a lawsuit, proving exposure to Paraquat is essential. This often involves gathering evidence that connects the individual’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease to their contact with the herbicide. Common forms of evidence include:
- Employment History: Demonstrating that you worked in an industry or role where Paraquat was used, such as farming, landscaping, or pesticide application. Employment records or affidavits from coworkers can establish the likelihood of exposure during your career.
- Proximity to Treated Areas: Evidence that you lived near agricultural fields where Paraquat was applied. Land surveys, zoning records, or aerial maps can show the proximity of your home or workplace to treated areas.
- Medical Records: A confirmed diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is crucial. Your medical records can link your symptoms and condition to potential Paraquat exposure. Expert testimony from medical professionals may strengthen the connection between exposure and your illness.
- Purchase or Application Records: Receipts or documentation showing that you purchased or used Paraquat products. Training certifications for applying herbicides, which may specify the use of Paraquat.
- Witness Statements: Statements from coworkers, neighbors, or others familiar with your exposure to Paraquat. Accounts from family members who observed changes in your health after exposure.
- Expert Analysis: Toxicology and environmental experts can analyze soil, water, or air samples from areas where you lived or worked to confirm Paraquat contamination. Scientific studies and research linking Paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s disease can be presented to bolster your case.
Parkinson’s Disease 101
Parkinson’s disease causes progressive damage in a part of the brain that controls movement. Classic signs of Parkinson’s include tremors (involuntary shaking), stiff or rigid muscles, slow movements, poor balance.
Parkinson’s and the Brain
Nerve cell damage in the brain causes Parkinson’s disease symptoms, cell damage to nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemical messengers transmit electrical signals from brain to body. A lack of these neurotransmitters causes movement problems, but also many non-motor symptoms that include mental changes, sleeping issues, depression, memory loss, fatigue, constipation, and more.
Parkinson’s not Uncommon
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, roughly 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease. It is most often seen in people over 70, and more often seen in men than in women. Parkinson’s is considered incurable by most practitioners; but some treatments can relieve some symptoms.
Parkinson’s Disease Risk Factors
Parkinson’s disease risk factors include exposure to toxic chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, or possible head injuries. Genetics are a primary factor in just 10% of Parkinson’s cases. Fully 90% of Parkinson’s disease cases are thought by experts to be caused by a person’s environmental exposures. (The same percentages roughly apply for cancer.)
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Studies Link Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease
A large 2011 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Farming and Movement Evaluation, investigated the risk of Parkinson’s disease from Paraquat (Gramoxone) exposure. The scientists found that people who sprayed Paraquat on crops were 250% more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease (emphasis ours).
Researchers in 2012 found that agricultural workers in Central California exposed to Paraquat herbicides on crops were 11X more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than people not exposed.
Paraquat Parkinson’s Links
No one knows what causes Parkinson’s in most cases, but scientists who want to study the disease expose animals to Paraquat to make them develop Parkinson’s. Despite those links to Parkinson’s, the EPA has approved Paraquat application on food sources.
How Matthews & Associates Can Help With Your Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit
At Matthews & Associates Law Firm, our experienced pesticide attorneys can help you gather the evidence needed to prove exposure and build a compelling case. We collaborate with medical and environmental experts to connect your diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease to Paraquat exposure. From collecting employment records to consulting scientific studies, we leave no stone unturned in pursuing justice for you.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease due to Paraquat exposure, don’t wait to seek legal help. Matthews & Associates Law Firm is now developing Paraquat-linked Parkinson’s disease lawsuits in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s following Paraquat (Gramoxone®) exposure, contact us now for a free legal case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Pesticide Litigation Group now, or call us toll free anytime at (888) 923-7001.