Mass Tort Litigation Lawyers

Paraquat - Parkinson’s Disease

Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide that may be linked to cases of Parkinson’s disease. This has led to recent Paraquat lawsuits for victims who want to receive compensation for their damages. For this mass tort litigation, you need to make sure that you have an experienced Paraquat lawsuit attorney on your side, fighting for you. Read on to learn more about this lawsuit and whether or not you qualify for receiving compensation.

Understanding the Paraquat Mass Tort

The federal court has dozens of cases with people who allege that their Parkinson’s disease was caused as a result of their exposure to Paraquat. Back in 2011, NIH (National Institutions of Health) performed a study of farmworkers who had been exposed to the herbicide Paraquat. This organization concluded that there was a link between an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease and exposure to Paraquat.

If you were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after exposure to Paraquat, you do have rights. You are entitled to various benefits and compensation as a result, such as:

• Payment for treatments and other medical expenses associated with your Parkinson’s disease
• Past, current, and future lost wages
• Pain and suffering compensation
• Any other damages linked to Parkinson’s disease

You can contact a mass tort lawyer and get a free consultation to see if you have a valid claim.

The Link Between Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease

It’s important to know that many countries across the globe have banned Paraquat from being used. This is because this is an herbicide that is believed to be so deadly, you could die from just one sip of the chemical. Unfortunately, in the United States this product is not only still legal to be used, but it’s also becoming a more popular herbicide. In fact, it is estimated that usage of this product has basically doubled between the years of 2006 and 2016.

There has been a lot of research done on this topic. As more people use Paraquat, there is an increased risk of exposure. Paraquat is not only linked to Parkinson’s disease, but it can also cause poisoning that can be life-threatening. Some organizations that have been noted for their research on the link between Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease include:

• American Journal of Epidemiology
• Journal of the American Medical Association Neurology (JAMA)
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

These are just a few of the major organizations that have studied the link and became an excellent resource for people on this topic.

An organization named Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council sent a letter to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), urging them to ban this herbicide. However, as of April 2020, this is still a legal substance that has not been banned.

So how does Paraquat end up causing Parkinson’s disease? Paraquat can actually kill cells as a result of oxidative stress, which is something that can alter the chemistry of the cells and lead to the damage and death of cells. The neurons responsible for Parkinson’s disease are potentially more vulnerable to oxidative stress, which is why Paraquat can have such a significant impact. You should know that not every person who has been exposed to Paraquat will end up with Parkinson’s disease, nor will everyone with a genetic predisposition to this condition. But, there are situations where the combination of the above can lead to Parkinson’s disease.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive and chronic neurological disorder that impacts about 1 million people just in the United States alone. This condition is caused by certain cells known as dopaminergic neurons dying off or suffering from degeneration. It’s considered to be a movement disorder because the typical symptoms of this condition include tremors as well as movements becoming slower and stiffer. Everyone is different, which means that every individual may suffer from different symptoms.

Other symptoms of this condition include:

• Fatigue
• Chronic constipation
• Speech problems
• Loss of smell
• Loss of coordination
• Excessive sweating

Unfortunately, there is no cure at this time for Parkinson’s disease. That’s why it’s so essential to understand any causes of this condition to prevent it. This is why organizations have been pushing for the EPA to ban this product.

Any Other Health Risks Associated with Paraquat?

As previously mentioned, Paraquat is extremely toxic to humans. There are many deaths annually from across the globe that are the result of someone accidentally ingesting Paraquat. There are other health risks that are associated with Paraquat as well, such as:

• Asthma
• Kidney disease
• Scarring in the lungs

Hiring a Lawyer

Anytime you are dealing with a mass tort case like this, you should always hire a lawyer as soon as possible. You do have the option of handling this type of lawsuit yourself but having an experienced legal team can increase your chances of getting the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. You should get a mass tort team like The Injury Firm on your side because you want someone with a solid reputation with these types of cases and who has a history of results.

When you work with a lawyer, they will start off by determining whether or not you have a case during a free consultation. To help the lawyer, you should compile all of your medical records and any other evidence that you can gather. The lawyer will perform their own investigation to strengthen your case. They will fight with your best interests at heart and help you get compensation to cover the damages that you suffered from as a result of Paraquat.

Contact Us Today

The Injury Firm has a talented team that has a lot of experience in class action lawsuits and other personal injury claims. We always fight for the best interests of our clients, working closely with them so that they understand what to expect throughout the legal process. We are here to answer any questions that you may have, including helping you determine whether or not you have a valid legal claim for damages. If you suffered damages as a result of using Paraquat, contact us today to see how our team can help you.