Why Are Paraquat Lawsuits Being Filed?

Over the past few years, an increasing number of lawsuits have emerged throughout the United States, morphing into a class-action lawsuit against a commercial herbicide known as Paraquat or Gramoxone. This herbicide has been linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder, due to exposure to the chemical. Various Paraquat manufacturers have been implicated in a Paraquat lawsuit, including Growmark, Syngenta, Chevron Chemical, and more. More than seven hundred such lawsuits have been filed in MDL (Multidistrict Litigation), with the possibility of many more lawsuits in the future.

About Paraquat Lawsuits

According to hundreds of farmworkers, occupational exposure to this industrial herbicide has put them at an increased risk of developing early-onset Parkinson’s disease. Since the original lawsuit in 2017, more than seven hundred lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States, with plaintiffs coming forward and joining the developing class action lawsuit.

Aside from the lawsuits that are already awaiting trial in states like Illinois, hundreds more of such cases are expected to arise in the near future.

A class-action lawsuit against the responsible chemical manufacturing companies is expected to not only bring justice to the affected farmers but also result in a financial settlement, as is expected according to the outcomes of similar class-action lawsuits. Various peer-reviewed researches published in esteemed medical journals have pointed out a link between Parkinson’s disease and Paraquat exposure.

Paraquat and Parkinsonism

Paraquat is an industrial-strength weed-killer that has been used as a herbicide for over six decades. The chemical is invariably toxic to humans and can result in an assortment of injuries and long-lasting damage if accidentally consumed. Throughout the troubled history of this herbicide, many organizations, including the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and MJFF (Michael J. Fox Foundation), have publicly raised concern against the use of this chemical, suggesting that the government ban the use of this industrial herbicide since it has been known to cause injury and death in humans. Despite the outrage against this chemical, it has not been banned and in fact, is being used now more than ever.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that impacts the movement of the body and is related to a deficiency of a neurohormonal chemical called dopamine in the human brain. The lack of dopamine results in a movement disorder that starts insidiously with tremors, rigidity, slowing of body movements, shuffling gait (walking while leaning forward), restlessness in legs, and other neurological symptoms. The disease has a multifactorial etiology, with one of the factors being environmental exposure to chemicals like herbicides, pesticides, pollutants, etc.

The usual age of onset for Parkinsonism is sixty years, with most patients reporting symptoms starting in the late middle age. The cases that have been linked to Paraquat exposure, however, show an early onset of the disease, raising an important point of concern regarding a preventable cause of disease and early death in farmers and people who live near farms where this harmful chemical is used. According to medical experts, exposure to Paraquat can increase the risk of early-onset Parkinson’s disease by up to three-fold, which is an alarming figure for a chemical that is still being used worldwide.

Conclusion

Lawsuits against Paraquat manufacturers are on the rise in the United States, and the class-action lawsuit is expected to go global, considering the widespread use of the herbicide in farms around the globe. If you or your loved one got affected by this situation, you might be able to file a lawsuit against the company responsible for your medical ailment. Contact an experienced attorney today to learn more about these lawsuits and how to become part of the concerted effort against this harmful chemical.