According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), paraquat was first used commercially in 1961. It is still one of the most common herbicides worldwide, but this use has led to illness. Many people have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and other ailments after paraquat exposure, and today, some of these people are suing paraquat product manufacturers.
Our firm can help you (or a loved one) sue if you also got sick from paraquat exposure. We can tell you more during a free consultation.
In your lawsuit, you can demand any of the damages
When did Farmers Start Using Paraquat?
Paraquat is a chemical used to control invasive weeds and grasses in commercial crops, such as cotton, corn, and soy. The chemical has been used worldwide. In the U.S., farmers and other agricultural workers started using paraquat to kill weeds in the 1960s.
Is Paraquat Still Used Today?
Research, such as a 2009 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, has shown that paraquat exposure may lead to health problems, including Parkinson’s disease.
For this reason, the chemical has been banned by the European Union and in some other areas. However, the U.S. still uses paraquat products today, and many people are still getting sick from paraquat exposure. Some of these people are suing for damages related to their exposure.
What Products Have Paraquat in Them?
There are many paraquat products on the American market, but these products are approved for commercial use only. There aren’t any products approved for household use.
Some of the commonly used products containing paraquat are:
- Blanco
- Bonedry
- Crisquar
- Cyclone SL 2.0
- Devour
- Dexuron
- Esgram
- Firestorm
- Garmixel
- Gramoxone
- Ortho Paraquat CL
- Para-col
- Para-Shot 3.0
- Parazone
- Pillarxone
- PP148
- Tota-col
Similar products may also contain paraquat. Our firm may be able to help you identify a paraquat product that you were exposed to.
How does Paraquat Affect the Body?
Paraquat can affect the body in many ways. In most cases, paraquat exposure occurs through inhalation. Prolonged exposure (most common with workers in the agricultural industry) may lead to health problems such as Parkinson’s disease.
Ingesting paraquat can cause more severe and immediate consequences, so if you ingest paraquat, you must seek medical treatment immediately. Per the CDC, ingesting paraquat can affect the body by causing:
- Mouth and throat swelling and pain
- Digestive tract symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
- Low blood pressure, dehydration, and/or electrolyte irregularities
- Confusion, weak muscles, fluid in the lungs, fast heart rate, injury to the heart, seizure, coma, and/or breathing failure
- Lung scarring
- Heart, liver, and/or kidney failure
- Death
Paraquat ingestion may also affect the body in the long term by causing:
- Esophagus scarring
- Lung damage and scarring
- Heart or kidney failure
- Eventual loss of life
- Parkinson’s disease
Can I Sue for Paraquat Exposure?
You and your doctor may be convinced paraquat exposure harmed you. If that is the case, you can sue for paraquat exposure and aim to hold a paraquat product manufacturer accountable for your damages.
However, you’ll need proof of your damages, as well as evidence your damages are due to paraquat exposure. Proof of your damages could include your medical records and diagnosis. Evidence of your exposure could include a medical statement from your doctor.
You may also need proof that you worked with a paraquat product, worked in an area exposed to paraquat, or lived in an area sprayed with paraquat. This proof could include your occupational records from your work as a farmer, for example. A paraquat injury attorney from our firm may be able to help you acquire this proof, as well as proof related to your damages.
The Damages You Can Seek in a Paraquat Lawsuit
you, your doctor, and your lawyer can attribute to exposure to paraquat. These damages can be physical, mental, emotional, and financial, such as:
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical bills, including rehabilitative or long-term care services
- Lost income
- Lost earning capacity
- Wrongful death damages if your family member passed away due to paraquat exposure
Contact Nadrich & Cohen to Get Started On Your Paraquat Claim
Many other people like you are suing paraquat manufacturers. Our firm can help you (or your loved one) seek compensation and file a class action or mass tort lawsuit against paraquat manufacturers. We have over 30 years of legal experience and have helped our personal injury clients recover many millions of dollars.
To learn more about what we can do for you, contact our firm for a free consultation. We’ll review your case with you and help you decide how to proceed. We’ll also tell you about how your paraquat attorney can work for you on a contingency fee basis. Contact Nadrich & Cohen today for your free consultation and case review.
