Five Frequently Asked Questions in the Paraquat Exposure Lawsuits

Paraquat, a restricted use pesticide, was first manufactured in 1961 and rapidly became one of the most common herbicides in the world.  It is also one of the most dangerous, especially those who have suffered long term exposure to Paraquat.

​Scientists have long known that paraquat, often referred to as Gramoxone, is acutely toxic. Dubbed “highly poisonous” by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is so toxic, in fact, that a single sip of the herbicide can kill an adult. Paraquat’s toxicity causes massive damage to the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Once this deadly substance enters your body, it creates fatal interactions in the lungs, kidneys, and liver. But in recent years, evidence has accumulated showing that repeated frequent exposure to paraquat, including secondary exposure, in low doses may be linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease.
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According to one study, frequent exposure to paraquat increases the risk of Parkinson’s by 150 percent. More than 60 countries have banned the use of paraquat, including China.  However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has done little to restrict its use, despite growing health concerns and legal challenges over the herbicide’s connection to Parkinson’s.  Syngenta, the main producer of paraquat, denies that there is a definitive link between frequent exposure to paraquat and Parkinson’s despite numerous, well-documented studies to the contrary. Read on for answers to five frequently asked questions in the Paraquat Exposure Lawsuits.

Is There a Link Between Parkinson’s Disease and Frequent Exposure to Paraquat or Long Term Exposure to Paraquat?

​Scientific research has concluded that those who use paraquat are twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease in the future. Not only that, but those who live in an area where paraquat is used are also at risk, as the wind can carry the airborne chemical into neighborhoods and other populated areas can result in significant exposure to paraquat. Despite numerous scientific studies into paraquat’s safety, the company responsible for the pesticide refused to acknowledge the potential risks of frequent exposure to paraquat and exposed thousands of innocent individuals to a hazardous chemical for over a decade, even though it is a restrictive use pesticide.

What is the Scientific Link that Long Term Exposure to Paraquat Can Lead to Parkinson's?

Numerous scientific studies have linked frequent exposure to paraquat to Parkinson’s. A large 2011 study of U.S. farmers found that those who used paraquat were twice as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease as those who did not use the restricted use pesticide. Other research has found that cumulative exposure over long periods increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s Data published by Louisiana State University shows that a person’s zip code and proximity to cropland where paraquat is applied correlates with the risk of developing Parkinson’s.
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Scientists believe that a deficit of the neurotransmitter dopamine causes Parkinson’s. Studies have demonstrated that paraquat can kill dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain.  Inhaling paraquat, which could happen if workers come into contact with aerosolized droplets during crop spraying, gives it a direct pathway to the brain, say researchers at the University of Rochester. However, paraquat could also end up in the brain after ingestion or skin exposure. The CDC notes that, once paraquat enters the body, it is distributed to all areas of the body. Fred Kamel, a scientist within an epidemiology branch of the NIH, has said that research on the link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease is “about as persuasive as these things can get.”

Do I Qualify for a Paraquat Exposure Lawsuit?

Many individuals are filing claims against the makers of paraquat, alleging the restricted use pesticide has either caused the individuals to develop Parkinson’s Disease or that the individuals are at an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease because of prior long term exposure to paraquat. Lawsuits are being filed across the country, both in federal and state courts. Some cases are class actions, where one plaintiff serves as a class representative on behalf of similarly situated plaintiffs.
Other lawsuits are filed by individual plaintiffs who are not part of a class action but are part of consolidated mass tort litigation that includes numerous individually filed lawsuits rather than one large lawsuit filed on behalf of many.
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Common plaintiffs in paraquat exposure lawsuit are licensed applicators/users, agricultural workers who were frequently exposed to Paraquat on farms, and individuals who did not work on farms but lived on or near farms where they were subject to secondary paraquat exposure.  For more information, call Timothy L. Miles, a Paraquat Exposure Lawyer today for a free case evaluation to see if your eligible for a Paraquat Exposure Lawsuit. ​

Who Are Most Frequently Exposed to Paraquat?

Agricultural workers and their families are those most frequently exposed to paraquat. However, people living near farms and fields can also be frequently exposed. The following people are at high risk of exposure:

• Farmers, farmworkers, landscapers, and agricultural workers;
• Familie members of and any other people living with farmers, farmworkers, landscapers and agricultural workers;
• Residents of rural areas near farmland sprayed with paraquat;
• Anyone who works with or around professional-grade pesticides; and
• Anyone who lives near places where professional-grade pesticides are sprayed.

What Can I Get from a Paraquat Exposure Lawsuit?

​Syngenta knew the risk of their product yet failed to disclose it to the public, which allowed thousands of agricultural workers to expose themselves and their families to the risk of a life-altering condition. Those who suffer from Parkinson’s require consistent treatment to increase their quality of life, which is a significant expense to endure without proper compensation. However, by holding Syngenta responsible for their negligence, you can recover the medical costs, lost wages, and suffering damages warranted by your situation.  For more information, call Timothy L. Miles, a Paraquat Exposure Lawyer today for a free case evaluation.

Call a Paraquat Exposure Lawyer Today

​​Call Timothy L. Miles, a Paraquat Exposure Lawyer today if you suffered long term exposure to paraquat and developed Parkinson's disease.

Timothy L. Miles

​Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles was recentely selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2022 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2022 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2022 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association, a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, Recognizing Excellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019). Mr. Miles has published over sixty articles on various issues of the law, including class actions, whistleblower cases, products liability, and more.