Paraquat Weed Killer Lawsuit
Paraquat Weed Killer Lawsuit
Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is representing people who have been injured by the use of specific Paraquat Weed Killer.
Exposure to this toxic herbicide is believed to be linked to Parkinson’s Disease.
Unified Parkinson’s Council
In a letter submitted by the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted, “Recent research links paraquat and several other herbicides to the development of Parkinson’s pathology and symptoms.” In the letter, the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council urged the EPA to ban the use of the herbicide in the U.S., which, as of April 2021, the agency has not done.
Paraquat
Paraquat, also known as Gramoxone, is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world. Commercial farmers use it to kill weeds and grasses. Because Paraquat is highly toxic and can lead to fatal poisoning, only licensed professionals can apply it.
Symptoms and Side Effects of Exposure
Symptoms of Paraquat exposure vary depending on the amount of exposure and how someone was exposed. For example, ingesting a large amount of paraquat causes acute poisoning and symptoms appear quickly. Licensed applicators and other agricultural workers exposed to smaller amounts of the chemical over a long period may not manifest symptoms for years.
Short-Term Side Effects
The first symptoms of acute poisoning through ingestion are immediate and start with pain and swelling in the mouth and throat. When the chemical enters the stomach, it causes gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, vomiting and nausea.
Short-term symptoms and side effects can occur within hours to several weeks after exposure and can be fatal.
Long-Term Side Effects
People that survive acute paraquat poisoning typically have long-term health problems that affect various organs.
Licensed applicators, farmers and agricultural workers that have been exposed to paraquat for years may not suffer acute symptoms of poisoning. But they can still have long-term side effects from exposure such as an increased risk for developing Parkinson’s disease.
Short-term paraquat exposure side effects include:
- Coma
- Confusion
- Fast heart rate
- Fluid in the lungs
- Gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Lung scarring
- Muscle weakness
- Respiratory failure
- Seizures
- Swelling
Long-term paraquat side effects include:
- Lung damage
- Lung scarring
- Kidney failure
- Heart failure
- Scarring of the esophagus
- Parkinson’s disease (from long-term exposure)
- Impaired lung function (from long-term exposure)
- Reproductive problems (from long-term exposure)
What Should I Know If I’m Considering a Paraquat Lawsuit?
If you’re thinking of joining a paraquat lawsuit, here’s what you need to know:
- You may be able to seek compensation for all of your damages, including medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and declines in your quality of life.
- There are deadlines to file toxic exposure lawsuits and in-depth investigations that must be performed, so the sooner you get started, the better.
- You will need the help of an experienced paraquat lawsuit lawyer to prove that exposure to the herbicide is what caused you to develop Parkinson’s disease.
- It costs you nothing out of pocket to get started with a claim. The consultation is free, and legal representation is offered on a no-win, no-fee basis.
