Paraquat

Paraquat (Gramoxone)

If you or a loved one has developed Parkinson’s disease or if you believe you have worked with or been exposed to the herbicide Paraquat, SWMW Law can help you quickly and confidentially determine whether you may be entitled to recover significant compensation.

Paraquat Linked to Parkinson’s Disease

Several studies have linked Paraquat exposure to an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Licensed Paraquat applicators are at the greatest risk for exposure. However, anyone who works in or lives near places where Paraquat is or was used may have been exposed. Such individuals may include but are not limited to: utility workers, railroad workers, farmers, growers, groundskeepers, pickers, other agricultural workers or those who lived in close proximity to areas where Paraquat was used.

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement. The disease is caused in part by a loss of neurons that produce dopamine. Paraquat may contribute to Parkinson’s disease by damaging these neurons. Parkinson’s disease usually begins gradually, with symptoms getting worse over time.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

Tremors, often starting in one hand
Muscle stiffness
Speech problems

Difficulty moving or walking
Impaired coordination

Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can include insomnia, confusion, depression or other mood disorders, constipation, and loss of smell.

What is Paraquat?

Paraquat is one of the most commonly used commercial herbicides in the world. It is also one of the most dangerous. Paraquat has been banned in over 32 countries worldwide but remains legal in the United States. It is widely used by commercial farmers, utility workers and railroad workers to kill invasive weeds and grass. Even worse, it can drift onto other properties and is often applied via airplane, causing even wider drift of the product. There is evidence that the manufacturers of Paraquat were aware of the link between their herbicide and Parkinson’s disease and failed to inform the public and commercial consumers of these health risks.

Due to its extreme toxicity, the Environmental Protection Agency only allows licensed applicators to apply Paraquat herbicide. Products containing Paraquat are not available to homeowners or the general public.

Paraquat is sold under many different brand names in the U.S., including:

Gramoxone (by Syngenta, the most commonly used brand in U.S.)
Crisquat
Esgram
Dexuron
Firestorm
Garmixel
Quick-Quat
Helmquat 3SL
Para-Shot 3.0
Parazone
Cyclone SL 2.0

Manufacturers include:

Gramoxone (by Syngenta, the most commonly used brand in U.S.)
Crisquat
Esgram
Dexuron
Firestorm
Garmixel
Quick-Quat
Helmquat 3SL
Para-Shot 3.0
Parazone
Cyclone SL 2.0

What is Paraquat Poisoning?

Paraquat is an extremely toxic substance, and exposure to even a small amount can cause serious illness or death. When Paraquat makes contact with the body, the damage is immediate and continuous.

Acute Paraquat poisoning most often occurs via accidental ingestion, though inhalation and skin exposure can also lead to poisoning. Most cases of acute Paraquat poisoning are fatal. Swallowing even one sip of Paraquat can damage multiple organs and lead to death within hours.

Paraquat exposure symptoms can vary depending on the amount of exposure and how the person was exposed. Ingestion typically causes Paraquat poisoning symptoms to appear quickly. These usually start with pain and swelling in the mouth or throat, followed by gastrointestinal distress like nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Symptoms may also include:

Respiratory distress
Confusion
Coma
Tachycardia (elevated heart rate)
Seizures

People who are exposed to even small amounts of Paraquat over a long period of time, like agricultural workers, may not experience symptoms for years or even decades. Long-term Paraquat exposure side effects can include:

Parkinson’s disease
Impaired lung function
Pulmonary fibrosis (scarring of the lungs that inhibits breathing)
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Heart failure
Scarring of the esophagus
Reproductive issues

Paraquat Lawsuit Settlement For Parkinson’s Disease

If you or a loved one was exposed to Paraquat and are suffering from Parkinson’s disease, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

This includes people who:

Worked as licensed applicators of Paraquat
Mixed or loaded Paraquat
Worked in a facility where Paraquat was manufactured
Worked on a farm or other agricultural operation where Paraquat was used
Lived near a farm or other agricultural operation where Paraquat was used
Worked as a utility worker or railroad worker and used Paraquat
Lived near utility lines or railroad lines where Paraquat was used

Please call (786) 627-3047. or complete our online contact form for a free consultation with one of our experienced team members to find out if you are eligible to participate in a lawsuit for your Parkinson’s disease from Paraquat exposure. We want to hear your story and will work to evaluate your case as quickly as possible. Because People Matter.

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