Paraquat is an herbicide shown to cause Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The chemicals in the weed killer are so toxic that more than 50 countries have banned the product. Furthermore, a license is required for purchase and use. Since those who use it are 2.5 times more likely to develop PD, an increasing number of individuals are filing a Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease lawsuit.
Commercial farming operations use Paraquat instead of Roundup because it kills everything it touches. Due to its toxicity, Carey Danis & Lowe is at the forefront of national litigation against the manufacturers of Paraquat. Our law firm accepts clients exposed to the harsh chemicals and thereafter diagnosed with PD or taking medication for the associated symptoms.
Paraquat Exposure: Symptoms and Long-Term Health Effects
Individuals briefly exposed to Paraquat, whether through skin contact, ingestion, or inhalation, can experience significant side effects. Therefore, prolonged exposure can lead to more severe injuries or death.
Immediate signs of Paraquat exposure include the following:
- Confusion
- Dehydration
- Low blood pressure
- Elevated heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Stomach pain
- Coma
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Diarrhea or bloody stool
- Fluid in the lungs
- Scarred lungs
- Muscle fatigue or weakness
- Pain and swelling in the mouth and throat
Individuals with long-term exposure to Paraquat can experience the following adverse effects:
- Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
- Liver failure
- Kidney damage
- Damaged brain cells
- Skin inflammation
- Weakened immune system
- Heart failure
- Difficulty swallowing
- Multiple system atrophy
- Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders
Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis
Symptoms
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder in the brain that alters the central nervous system’s ability to control movements. Motor symptoms such as slowed movement, tremors, slurred voice, poor balance, stooped posture, and muscle spasms are common.
Other symptoms of PD include:
- Rigidity
- Freezing (inability to move)
- Parkinsonian gait (taking small, shuffling steps or difficulty picking up feet)
- Reduced arm swing
- Drooling
- Loss of facial expressions
- Small handwriting
- Confusion during evening hours
- Early awakenings or sleep disturbances
Stages
There are no blood tests or scans that can diagnose PD. Further, individuals may experience symptoms without an official PD diagnosis. Since the disease is a progressive disorder, symptoms worsen over time and are therefore categorized into five stages:
- Stage one – During the initial stage, individuals have mild symptoms that don’t generally interfere with their daily activities. Tremors and other movement symptoms occur on one side of the body. Additionally, changes in posture, walking, and facial expressions are likely.
- Stage two – In the second stage, symptoms begin worsening. Tremors, rigidity, and other movement symptoms affect both sides of the body, neck, or trunk. Walking difficulty and poor posture are more apparent. Although you can still live alone, daily tasks become more challenging and lengthier.
- Stage three – The third stage is considered the “mid-stage.” Balance problems and falls are more frequent. Motor symptoms continue to worsen. Although those in this stage can still live independent lives, functionality is restricted, and disability is mild to moderate.
- Stage four – By stage four, symptoms fully develop and are disabling. Individuals can walk and stand without assistance but may need a cane or walker to ensure safety. At this stage, those with PD cannot live alone and require assistance with daily activities.
- Stage five – The fifth stage is the most advanced. Stiffness in the legs often makes walking or standing impossible. Individuals are likely bedridden or confined to a wheelchair and require around-the-clock care for all activities.
Medications
Although no cure for PD is available, medications may manage symptoms. Suppose you were exposed to Paraquat and are taking any of the following medicines to treat PD symptoms. In that case, you may qualify to file a Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease lawsuit – even without an official diagnosis.
Medications used to treat PD include the following:
- GOCOVRI (amantadine)
- Apokyn (apomorphine hydrochloride injection)
- Artane (trihexyphenidyl HCL)
- Azilect (rasagiline)
- Mirapex (pramipexole)
- Neupro (rotigotine transdermal system)
- Nourianz (istradefylline)
- Requip (ropinirole)
- Xadago (safinamide)
- Zelapar (selegiline HCL)
- Cogentin (benztropine)
- Eldepryl (selegiline)
- KYNMOBI (apomorphine hydrochloride)
- Sinemet (levodopa)
How Does Paraquat Cause Parkinson’s Disease?
Studies have shown that Paraquat causes Parkinson’s Disease because the herbicide initiates oxidative stress in plant cells. Through this process, the chemicals cause cell degeneration and death.
Studies have shown that Paraquat causes Parkinson’s Disease because the herbicide initiates oxidative stress in plant cells. Through this process, the chemicals cause cell degeneration and death.
A study performed by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the Parkinson’s Institute and Clinical Center in Sunnyvale, CA, found a link between Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease. Those who used the herbicide developed PD approximately 2.5 times more often than non-users.
Another study released by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found a strong association between PD and Paraquat use. Their findings strengthen the growing body of evidence suggesting that herbicides may play a role in humans’ PD development.
How Does Paraquat Cause Parkinson’s Disease?
Qualifying for a Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit
If you were exposed to Paraquat and later diagnosed with PD, you may be eligible to file a Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease lawsuit. You have legal avenues if you suspect your PD traces back to Paraquat exposure – but you must provide detailed information regarding the time and place you were subjected to it. Furthermore, Paraquat required a license to purchase and a registry of every user after 1978.
How We Can Help
The experienced lawyers at Carey Danis & Lowe can assist you in filing a Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease lawsuit. We’ll investigate your case, determine whether you have a factual claim, and represent you in all legal proceedings. We can also secure all evidence proving liability, outline the available damages, and negotiate fair and just compensation for your injuries.
Filing a Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease lawsuit to recover damages for your suffering can increase your chances of settlement and hold the manufacturers accountable. Syngenta and other large corporations knowingly produced and sold the highly toxic herbicide, risking numerous lives.
However, statutes of limitations vary depending on the state, so you must contact us as soon as possible for a free case consultation. A class action multidistrict litigation regarding Paraquat and PD is now underway, meaning all lawsuits in federal court consolidate beneath one judge.
Contact Carey Danis & Lowe for Filing a Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit
If you believe you were exposed to Paraquat, whether from working on a farm or living near an area where it was used, and subsequently diagnosed with PD or taking medications associated with its symptoms, our attorneys are here to help. Our skilled attorneys have the knowledge, experience, and resources to help you file a Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease lawsuit.
Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your case.
