Monterey County is one of California’s leaders in vegetable production, and for many years, farmers throughout the county used paraquat as an herbicide and weed killer. However, while many countries have banned paraquat because exposure to this toxic chemical can lead to Parkinson’s disease and other conditions, the U.S. still permits its use.
Many American agricultural workers have become sick from paraquat exposure and have filed lawsuits against herbicide manufacturers. If you or a family member became ill from paraquat exposure, Nadrich & Cohen could help you participate in the mass tort action. One of our Monterey County paraquat lawyers can involve you in the suit and fight for your right to compensation.
Is There a Lawsuit Against Paraquat Manufacturers?
As of June 2022, multidistrict litigation (MDL) is ongoing against the manufacturers of paraquat dichloride (paraquat), such as Chevron and Syngenta. With nearly 1,300 plaintiffs to date, we expect this lawsuit to continue for many years.
The manufacturers developed many paraquat products involved in the cases, including:
- Gramoxone SL 2.0
- Helmquat
- Devour
- Ortho-Paraquat
- Crisquat
- Parazone
- Firestorm
- Quick-Quat
- Para-SHOT
If you used any of these products, you might have suffered paraquat exposure. We recommend talking to a doctor about the potential health effects.
Why Are Paraquat Lawsuits Being Filed?
Epidemiological studies worldwide have shown that many farmers and other agricultural workers suffered long-term illnesses, such as Parkinson’s disease, and even died after exposure to paraquat. Spraying, mixing, loading, or even being in proximity to the product during manufacture or after application led to exposure to this toxic chemical.
Parkinson’s disease can cause permanent changes to speech, mobility, and more, which patients can manage with medicine or surgery. In addition, victims have suffered terribly due to paraquat, so the lawsuits against the manufacturers can provide compensation for their physical and psychological damages.
Am I Eligible for a Paraquat Lawsuit in Monterey County?
We can help you determine whether you qualify for a paraquat lawsuit, using your doctor’s records and diagnosis to guide our decision. If you’re eligible, you can file an individual suit or participate in the paraquat mass tort action.
A doctor may have already told you that you have Parkinson’s disease or another illness that paraquat exposure likely caused. In addition, your physician might have provided proof of paraquat exposure and your injuries.
If you believe you were exposed to any paraquat product or have any signs of paraquat exposure, you should speak with a doctor. In addition, you may have developed another health condition related to paraquat exposure.
The Groups Eligible for a Paraquat Lawsuit
Generally, if you worked with paraquat, you were at risk of exposure that caused long-term damage to your health. These groups are especially at risk:
- Farmers
- Agricultural workers
- Licensed applicators
- Landscapers
- Growers
- Pickers
- Residents who lived near farms that used paraquat
- Handlers of paraquat products during manufacturing or distribution
What Compensation Can I Recover in My Monterey County Paraquat Lawsuit?
In a paraquat claim or lawsuit, such as the paraquat MDL, you can claim considerable damages, including financial and intangible. One of our firm’s paraquat lawyers in Monterey County can help you determine your injuries and calculate their value.
Your claimed damages may include any of the following:
- Diminished quality of life
- The pain and suffering you’ve experienced
- The mental distress you’ve endured
- Lost income due to your condition preventing you from working
- Your medical expenses, including the costs of required medicine or procedures
- Your expenses for physical, vocational, or speech therapy
- The costs of any adaptive or mobility equipment, such as a walker
- The costs of any continual care you may need
- Expenses incurred to renovate your home to accommodate mobility issues
A California Paraquat Lawsuit Lawyer From Our Firm Can Help
The personal injury and product liability lawyers at our firm have served Californians for decades. Since 1990, we’ve handled many product liability and defective product cases, including paraquat exposure cases. In addition, we’ve won multimillion verdicts and settlements for clients who’ve suffered grievous injuries, and we’re confident we can do the same for you.
Our Monterey County paraquat attorneys can handle many tasks when we manage your case. During our free initial consultation, one of our first questions will be whether you require a doctor’s diagnosis or treatment. If so, your attorney can refer you to one of the doctors we trust, who can provide any services you need. The physician will examine you for paraquat exposure and provide documentation or testimony for your claim.
Once we’ve met your medical needs, your attorney will begin taking care of your legal needs:
- Collecting other evidence for your case
- File your lawsuit
- Combine your claim with the paraquat mass tort suit
- Meet critical deadlines so your case progresses smoothly
Contact Nadrich & Cohen for a Monterey County Paraquat Lawyer
Our firm could help if you or your loved one would like to pursue a paraquat lawsuit in Monterey County or participate in the nationwide MDL against American paraquat manufacturers. We’ve assisted many clients in their pursuit of compensation from these companies, so you should be confident about working with us.
During a free consultation and case review, we’ll tell you more about what one of our attorneys will do for you. We’ll also explain how affordable working with our firm can be since our team works on a contingency basis. So, contact Nadrich & Cohen today for your complimentary consultation.
