Greensboro Paraquat Parkinson's Lawsuit

Paraquat is a chemical widely used in the agricultural industry to kill weeds, grasses, and other unwanted plant growth in the United States and other countries. Paraquat is frequently found on farms in North Carolina’s intensive agriculture sector.

Although it is inexpensive and effective, Paraquat has become increasingly controversial because it is incredibly toxic and has been associated with adverse health effects among users, including the development of Parkinson’s disease.

If you have suffered negative consequences such as Parkinson’s disease due to possible or known exposure to paraquat-containing products, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit to seek compensation.

The paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuit attorneys of Ward Black Law can let you know if you may be entitled to compensation and answer any questions at no charge. The firm can be contacted by phone, text, or email. Contact us today to learn more.

What Is Paraquat?

Paraquat is a synthetic chemical that was first manufactured and sold for commercial use in the early 1960s. It is one of the most commonly used and highly effective herbicides in the world. An herbicide is used to kill or limit the growth of undesirable plants, such as weeds and other invasive agricultural species.

Paraquat is primarily sold in liquid form in the United States and is classified for “restricted use” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Restricted-use chemicals contain hazardous active ingredients and may only be used by or under the supervision of certified commercial applicators. The herbicide has been banned or gradually phased out by the European Union, China, and Brazil.

North Carolina has strict laws regarding the use of paraquat. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture requires a licensed or certified applicator to undergo specific training on the use of paraquat in order to use the pesticide. The applicator must score 100% on the exam and undergo training every three years.

Farmworkers, agricultural pickers, groundskeepers, golf course workers, aerial applicators, and other landscape maintenance workers are the occupations most likely exposed to Paraquat.

Paraquat is highly toxic to humans, so U.S. distributors must use special dyes, foul-smelling additives, and vomiting agents to discourage consumption. Paraquat has also been linked to Parkinson’s disease, significantly increasing the risk of developing the chronic and debilitating condition.

Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease

Studies have revealed a link between paraquat and the development of Parkinson’s disease in the past few years. One study conducted by the National Institutes of Health showed that individuals who used paraquat or the pesticide rotenone developed Parkinson’s disease approximately 2.5 times more often than those who didn’t use the pesticides.

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, some of the leading symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:

What Herbicides Contain Paraquat?

The most common trade name for paraquat-containing herbicide in the U.S. is Gramoxone, though several other trade names exist, such as:

The leading companies that have manufactured and sold paraquat in the United States include:

Is Paraquat Poisonous?

Yes, paraquat is highly poisonous to humans and has no known antidote. Paraquat can prove fatally toxic to people who ingest, inhale, or otherwise contact the chemical.

Standard formulations of paraquat are both colorless and odorless, which is why special additives are used to give it the color, odor, and vomit-inducing properties.

When a person is exposed to paraquat, the chemical disperses throughout the entire body. This can lead to damage in any body area, though toxic reactions are most common in the lungs, kidneys, and liver.

If a person swallows paraquat, the chemical can directly damage the soft tissue that lines the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Paraquat can eat away at the esophagus, leading to severe inflammation, esophageal rupture, and possible death.

Inhaling paraquat fumes can lead to a deadly disease known as paraquat lung. Paraquat is actively absorbed by lung cells and can easily accumulate in the lungs due to repeated or prolonged exposure. Paraquat inhalation causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs.

It’s also possible to experience paraquat poisoning via skin exposure.

After ingesting large amounts of paraquat, the following symptoms can appear within days or even hours:

Ingesting smaller amounts of paraquat can also lead to heart, liver, or kidney failure and scarring of the lungs. However, these adverse effects may take several days or weeks to appear following limited exposure.

Can I File a Paraquat Parkinson’s Lawsuit?

Several large corporations continue to manufacture and market products containing paraquat despite the risks. EPA-certified applicators are at the greatest risk of toxic paraquat exposure. However, paraquat can also affect other North Carolina farmworkers and general population members who may be exposed to paraquat, such as residents who live near agricultural areas in North Carolina where paraquat is used.

If you have suffered adverse health effects or were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after confirmed or suspected exposure to paraquat, you could be entitled to claim compensation from manufacturers in a paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuit. The product liability lawyers at Ward Black Law can help you assess your legal options by considering:

• The extent of your possible paraquat exposure
• Details about your Parkinson’s diagnosis or other health effects
• Expenses you incurred due to your adverse health effects
• How paraquat exposure has affected your daily life