Anyone working in the agricultural sector who exhibits symptoms associated with PD may be entitled to get compensation for paraquat-related damages. Consider seeking advice from our Paraquat lawsuit lawyers in Florida to assess your situation and determine your options.
What Is Paraquat?
Paraquat is a lethal non-selective herbicide or plant killer. Brand names include:
- Gramoxone
- Firestorm
- Helmquat
- Parazone
Normally, farmers would use a selective herbicide to kill unwanted weeds on their farms. However, paraquat’s non-selective status means it can kill any weed, grass, or plant species, even if it is something the farmer wants to cultivate.
Commercial paraquat has been around since1961. However, paraquat has a “restricted-use” classification under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). So, only commercially licensed individuals can use this herbicide.
Who Is at Risk of Paraquat Exposure?
Licensed paraquat applicators have the highest risk of paraquat exposure and poisoning. These people are mostly members of the agricultural sector. They would use this herbicide to eliminate any remaining plants after harvest to make room for their next planting season.
Farmers use this method to save time, effort, and money. However, paraquat’s toxicity level makes it dangerous to humans and animals. Thus, paraquat product labels include a warning that one sip of the product can kill.
Apart from licensed paraquat applicators, anyone within the vicinity of their farm is at risk of paraquat poisoning.
- 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.
How Is Paraquat Related to Parkinson’s Disease?
Experts use paraquat in their laboratory studies on PD. Paraquat can induce brain changes associated with early-onset PD, giving lab scientists the chance to observe and study the disease closely. However, paraquat manufacturers (Syngenta, Chevron, and ICI) failed to include the neurological risks on their packaging.
Although they put a warning on paraquat products, they left out the scientific fact that it can cause Parkinson’s disease. As such, these developers have a liability to the paraquat poisoning victims.
You can hold these companies liable for damages if you or a loved one has developed PD from paraquat exposure. Allow our attorneys to craft a unique paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuit that serves your best interests and claim the compensation you deserve.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
PD is a neurological disorder associated with brain dysfunction. This disease affects a person’s normal movement and may develop into cognitive disorders. PD usually manifests as slow movement, hand tremors, and poor posture. Later on, PD patients experience rigidity, disorientation, instability, and inability to walk. There is no known cure for PD.
Exposure to agricultural herbicides and pesticides is a medically cited reason for developing PD. Since paraquat contains ingredients that cause brain cell death, you can seek legal assistance to cover PD-related damages related to this herbicide.
Meanwhile, recent estimates for the economic burden of PD on patients, families, and the federal U.S. government is $52 billion. Being an expensive disease, patients will need all the financial assistance they can get. Consider speaking to our lawyers to file a Parkinson’s lawsuit if you believe you have been exposed to paraquat.
Is Paraquat Regulated?
Although paraquat herbicides have always been restricted-use, the EPA only regulated this substance in 2017. Before the agency updated its Paraquat regulations, anyone had access to the herbicide as long as they had a certified applicator to supervise their application. In other words, thousands of unlicensed farmers could have used paraquat in the past five decades.
Without proper training and certification, unintentional paraquat overspray may have occurred on farms, putting people in the vicinity at serious health risks. Considering that paraquat manufacturers did not warn users about specific risks, untrained farmers would have been unaware of its dangers.
Even if you did not handle the paraquat yourself, you can seek a paraquat lawsuit lawyer to oversee your situation. Allow us to find your next steps in seeking justice for you or your loved one’s exposure to this deadly chemical.
How Can a Paraquat Lawsuit Lawyer Help Me?
You may qualify for a paraquat settlement if you have previously been exposed to the lethal herbicide. Paraquat lawyers can help you claim that settlement and get the compensation you deserve. You will need a seasoned legal expert who understands the history surrounding paraquat cases and can navigate the system to help you.
Should you or a loved one have a history of paraquat exposure and are experiencing PD symptoms, rest assured that you have options. Consult with a paraquat lawyer to discuss your PD case and find your best options.
Why Choose Rubenstein Law?
Rubenstein Law Firm has been serving Floridians since 1988. We are dedicated to fighting for our clients’ rights in getting the compensation they deserve. When it comes to paraquat exposure, our legal experts are well-versed in the history of related cases. Allow us to determine whether your situation qualifies you for a paraquat settlement if you have been exposed to the substance before.
