Exposure to the herbicide paraquat dichloride, known as simply “paraquat,” has been shown to increase a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease later in life. These findings, published in several peer-reviewed journals, only exacerbate paraquat’s health hazards—it is a known fact that a single sip of paraquat can be fatal.
The issue with paraquat is that exposure to even a minuscule amount of it can cause oxidative stress, the chemical process that gives way to a wide range of debilitating diseases, from Parkinson’s to cancer, and more.
Paraquat has been banned in over 32 countries, including all countries in the European Union, but remains among the most widely used herbicides in the United States. Against all evidence, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to maintain that paraquat is safe for use by certified applicators. Now, many gardeners, landscapers, farmers, agricultural workers, and other Missouri residents are filing suit against paraquat manufacturers.
Have You Been Affected?
If you were exposed to paraquat on the job or in your neighborhood and now have Parkinson’s, Peterson & Associates, P.C. wants to advocate for you. With over 35 years of experience in product liability, severe injury, and mass torts, our attorney team can provide informed, accurate legal guidance to you. We will make sure your story is the center of your case, taking care to develop a clear plan of action that touches on your concerns.
Paraquat manufacturers should be held accountable for putting Kansas City residents in harm’s way—we will focus our efforts to do just that.
Call 816-888-8888 to schedule a free consultation with a Kansas City paraquat injury attorney. We don’t get paid unless you do!
Studies Support the Link Between Paraquat and Parkinson’s
At this point, there are numerous peer-reviewed studies that support the link between paraquat exposure and Parkinson’s disease, such as in Environmental Health Perspectives, JAMA Neurology, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
The EPA even highlighted this link in 2016. While the EPA now requires agricultural workers and others to get a certification before they can use paraquat, this falls short in a couple of ways.
For one, paraquat exposure is very easy because it is applied as a spray. Even certified applicators may accidentally breathe in minuscule amounts of the herbicide or absorb it through minor cuts in the skin.
Secondly, paraquat use affects more than those who spray it. The American Journal of Epidemiology published a study on how a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s is increased by 75% when they live within 550 yards of somewhere on which paraquat is sprayed.
Paraquat Trade Names
Paraquat is an active ingredient in a variety of herbicides, the most common of which is Syngenta’s Gramoxone® SL 2.0. Gramoxone® SL 3.0, Inteon®, and SL are also quite common in the U.S.
Other products that contain paraquat include:
- Blanco®
- Bonedry®
- Crisquat
- Cyclone™ SL 2.0
- Devour™
- Esgram
- Firestorm®
- Helmquat 3SL
- Para-Shot 3.0
- Parazone® 3SL
- Purgatory™ 3 SL
- Quik-Quat™
- Tigris™ Paraquat 3SL
- Willowood
Is It Worth It to File a Paraquat Lawsuit?
An individual paraquat lawsuit could result in the full recovery of your damages, such as:
- Medical costs
- At-home care and assistance
- Lost wages, past and future
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
It is expected that those injured may soon have the option to join a class-action lawsuit. Compensation in a class action lawsuit is limited, which means that people who have suffered immense losses due to paraquat injury may find themselves cheated out of their full compensation. For these people, an individual lawsuit tends to be the best and only route. Those who have suffered fewer losses may greatly benefit from a class action suit, however.
Holding Paraquat Manufacturers Accountable
If you are thinking of taking legal action against a paraquat manufacturer, it is important to consult an experienced Kansas City lawyer about the best course of action for you. For this purpose, Peterson & Associates, P.C. offers free consultations to all prospective clients.
Our trial lawyers are proud to help clients from across the nation in their paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuits. You deserve justice and compensation for what you have been through, especially since paraquat is a known safety hazard. There is no good reason as to why it remains on the market; these manufacturers are simply putting their bottom line over your safety.