Paraquat Parkinsons Lawsuits Filed
On March 25, 2021, plaintiff Paul Rakoczy filed a lawsuit against Syngenta and Chevron. The New Jersey man claims to have developed Parkinsons disease after using paraquat.
Rakoczy allegedly used paraquat routinely between 2013 and 2017 while applying the herbicide in the Long Beach, Calif. area. During use, Rakoczy says that he inhaled, ingested, and absorbed the chemical.
In December 2015, the plaintiff was allegedly diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. However, Rakoczy alleges he didnt connect the disease to his use of paraquat herbicide until March 2021.
At no time when using paraquat himself was Plaintiff aware that exposure to paraquat could cause any latent injury, including any neurological injury or Parkinsons disease, or that any precautions were necessary to prevent any latent injury that could be caused by exposure to paraquat, the paraquat Parkinsons lawsuit contends.
Plaintiff Charles Adams filed similar allegations against Syngenta and Chevron on April 13. Adams allegedly used paraquat in Illinois between 1960 and 1980. As a result of this usage, the plaintiff allegedly developed Parkinsons disease.
Both plaintiffs claim that, had they been warned about paraquats connection to Parkinsons disease, they would have taken protective measures. However, due to a lack of warning, the plaintiffs now suffer from permanent disabilities, according to the lawsuit.
There Is Growing Evidence That Paraquat Is Connected With Parkinsons Disease
The main reason why Paraquat has been banned in many countries and should be banned in the U.S. is that the herbicide has been strongly linked with Parkinsons disease. This is a progressive nervous system disorder that impacts movement. It is a neurological condition that affects balance and leads to stiffness and difficulty walking and talking. While Parkinsons disease is not necessarily fatal, it will rob a patient of their quality of life.
Scientific research has been strengthening the connection between the usage of Paraquat and Parkinsons disease. Even low-level exposure to the compound can greatly increase the chances that someone could develop this condition. One study found that Paraquat increases the risk of Parkinsons by roughly 250%.
Parkinsons disease is caused by certain gene mutations. These mutations can occur on their own or through environmental exposure to certain toxins. It is not uncommon for people who have worked around certain chemicals to eventually be diagnosed with Parkinsons. Here, the effects of Paraquat can mimic the effect of known mutations that cause Parkinsons disease. A study by a professor at the University of Guelph documented this connection in human cells for the first time in 2018. While there is not a documented causal link between Paraquat and Parkinsons, the evidence is strengthening.
Why File A Paraquat Lawsuit
Were you or a close relative diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease due to Paraquat? Are you suspecting the deadly herbicide may have caused your illness?
The only option to ascertain if you qualify is to request a free case evaluation and file for compensation for your punitive damages.
Some epidemiological studies identified the correlation between paraquat use and Parkinson’s disease. Also, data reveals a five-fold risk of Parkinson’s among those holding occupational positions where workers regularly encounter chemical toxins, including the farming industry.
Unfortunately, many crop workers and farmers were unaware of the severe health risks of using, handling or breathing the restricted-use herbicide. As a result, many individuals seek justice and financial compensation through paraquat claims.
Here are some reasons to file a paraquat Parkinson’s lawsuit:
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Key Variables For A Paraquat Lawsuit Settlement
The battlefield in the Paraquat Parkinsons disease lawsuits is over how much the settlement compensation payouts should be. Syngenta, Chevron, and other co-defendants are fighting to pay the smallest settlement amounts possible.
The individual Paraquat settlement amounts will depend on several things, including:
How Much Would A Payout Be Worth
A lawsuit payout depends on the severity of your serious health problems and the overall impact on your living standards and family.
In many cases, the lawsuit settlements and trial payouts have gone into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and several cases have paid out in the millions of dollars.
Here are some of the factors that will influence the value of a lawsuit settlement:
- Your income prior to diagnosis
- Your ability to continue earning a living
- The progression of the disease and expected short and long-term health outcomes
- Your ability to care for your family and children
- Your ability to take care of basic personal needs
- How much you rely on outside help for day-to-day chores around the home
The more severe the impact is on your life, the higher the possible payout will be. And to establish the best possible evidence for your case, you need the right team of lawyers with the experience and skills to present your evidence for the best possible outcome.
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Join A Free Paraquat Parkinsons Disease Lawsuit Investigation
If you qualify, an attorney will contact you to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.
PLEASE NOTE: If you want to participate in this investigation, it is imperative that you reply to the law firm if they call or email you. Failing to do so may result in you not getting signed up as a client or getting you dropped as a client.
E-mail any problems with this form to:
Contact A Paraquat Lawsuit Attorney At The Bryant Law Center
Parkinsons disease is debilitating, with symptoms that worsen over time. If you or a family member have been diagnosed and believe the disease was caused by herbicide exposure, speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
At the Bryant Law Center, we have decades of experience in helping injured people get the fair compensation that they deserve in product liability cases like Paraquat lawsuits.
- The attorneys at our firm can help you by:
- Determining your eligibility and legal options
- Investigating your case for evidence of exposure to Paraquat
- Securing the evidence that proves liability
- Determining the full extent of your damages
- Negotiating for the compensation you deserve for your injuries and taking your case to trial if the other side wont offer a fair settlement
You have nothing to lose when reaching out to one of our personal injury attorneys. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis which means that you dont pay unless we win your case.
Your time to file a Paraquat lawsuit may be limited by the statute of limitations. Contact the Bryant Law Center today for a free initial consultation and more information on how we can help you.
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Can Paraquat Lawsuits Still Be Filed
Research studies focused on paraquat exposure have shown an increased risk of Parkinsons disease. In fact, a 2011 federal study by the National Institutes of Health concluded that those exposed to the herbicide are 2.5 times more likely to develop Parkinsons than those who arent.
While there are already many class actions and the MDL in motion, its not too late to file a paraquat lawsuit. Many more are expected. However, if you or a loved one were exposed to the herbicide and have developed Parkinsons disease, its important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Personal injury claims are subject to a states statute of limitations, and once passed, a claim of this kind is no longer an option.
Parkinsons disease causes extensive and debilitating symptoms, not to mention the emotional, social, and professional impact it has. Being adequately compensated can lessen the burden for those suffering, as well as their families.
Whether plaintiffs in the paraquat class action and MDL lawsuits can prove the dangers and failure on the part of the manufacturers is yet to be seen, but the outcome of the first round of trials is likely to influence future rulings and settlements.
What Other Diseases Does Paraquat Cause
While its association with Parkinsons disease is one of the main reasons why advocacy groups are calling for a paraquat ban, aside from PD, paraquat is also linked to several other health risks. Other diseases that paraquat can cause are listed below.
- Lung scarring: Long-term exposure to paraquat may lead to lung scarring or pulmonary fibrosis. This condition makes breathing become increasingly difficult as it progresses.
- Immunotoxicity: Paraquat can cause adverse effects on the functioning of the immune system. Its immunotoxic effect has been observed in both human and animal studies.
- Birth defects: Parental exposure to paraquat during the first or second trimester increases the risk for preterm birth and is also linked to numerous birth defects, such as genital malformations.
- Heart problems: In rare cases, one may survive severe paraquat poisoning, but they will most likely suffer from its long-term health effects, including heart problems. Paraquat may decrease blood flow to the heart and may worsen cardiovascular performance for individuals with existing heart conditions.
- Kidney damage: Once it enters the body, paraquat first travels to the kidneys. And since it is the main organ that is responsible for excreting toxins like paraquat from the body, the adverse effects of the toxic chemical on the kidney comes as no surprise.
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File A Paraquat Lawsuit
Beasley Allens environmental exposure lawyers are currently filing lawsuits related to Parkinsons disease in farmers, agriculture workers, crop dusters, and anyone involved in the mixing, applying, or loading of paraquat. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease after being exposed to paraquat, you may be entitled to compensation.
Can You Sue Paraquat For Your Parkinsons
There are various requirements for you to have a legally sound Paraquat lawsuit, including:
- You were exposed to Paraquat for at least 10 days within a one-year period at some point in your life.
- You have been diagnosed with Parkinsons disease or are exhibiting PD-like symptoms.
- You used or were exposed to Paraquat by a certified applicator or company that you can identify.
- You were exposed as either a worker or while living next to a field where Paraquat was used.
Many Paraquat lawsuits have been filed by farmers, farm workers, herbicide applicators, chemical mixers, flaggers, tank fillers, and other agricultural professionals, especially those who work in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Paraquat lawsuits from people who live next to agricultural sites that use Paraquat might be equally valid, though, as evidence suggests that Paraquat can contaminate the soil and groundwater, potentially exposing anyone who lives in the area.
Notably, you might be disqualified from filing a Paraquat lawsuit if you applied the herbicide around your residence and without the proper certifications. Wrongful death claims are currently not being reviewed at this time. Past exposure to Agent Orange could also disqualify your claim because that chemical is also known to cause Parkinsons disease.
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Who Is At Risk For Parkinsons From Paraquat
Those who have handled Paraquat may be at increased risk of potentially developing Parkinsons due to Paraquat exposure. This group includes groundskeepers as well as those involved in agricultural operations. Others may have been inadvertently exposed to Paraquat due to Paraquat drift and overspray, including farm workers, nearby property owners, and schoolchildren attending rural schools. Those whose drinking water may have been contaminated by paraquat runoff are also at high risk. Individuals in each of these groups may qualify for a Paraquat Parkinsons lawsuit.
In previous decades, paraquat weed killer was also widely used on golf courses. Golf course groundskeepers may be at especially high risk.
Paraquat is a commonly used weed killer and is still allowed in the United States, despite being banned in more than 30 other countries for its known health risks.
Paraquat is most commonly used in agricultural operations involving the following crops:
People Who Developed Parkinson’s Disease Due To Paraquat Exposure Are Eligible For Compensation
While paraquat has been around since 1962, it was only recently that people began filing lawsuits against liable manufacturers, who failed to warn consumers of the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease as a consequence of exposure.
The first lawsuit was filed in 2017 by Thomas Hoffman of St. Clair County, Michigan, against Syngenta and Growmark, but he died after filing his lawsuit at 63, as he was struggling with Parkinson’s disease.
Nowadays, people no longer file lawsuits against the responsible paraquat manufacturers. Instead, a claim will be filed by a lawyer whose main area of practice is toxic exposure. This will result in financial compensation within a shorter time and require a less complex process than a lawsuit.
The financial amount people who developed Parkinson’s disease may receive as a consequence of paraquat exposure ranges between $10,000 and $200,000.
However, it depends on key factors such as how much distress the brain disorder is causing to the sufferer in their daily life, whether they need the assistance of another person to perform everyday tasks, and the medical expenses incurred by their diagnosis.
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What Is The Deadline For Filing A Paraquat Lawsuit
Most Paraquat lawsuits are filed years or decades after the plaintiff was actually exposed to Paraquat.
So how do Paraquat plaintiffs get around the statute of limitations? Here is how it works.
Every Paraquat lawsuit alleges that this weed killer was manufactured and distributed by the defendants and did not provide a warning label so people using it knew of the risk of latent neurological damage, most notably, Parkinsons disease.
So when Plaintiffs were diagnosed with Parkinsons, they could not connect the dots between Paraquat and Parkinsons disease. Courts often apply the discovery rule in these cases. So the clock on the deadline to sue cannot start until the plaintiff knows or has reason to know of the connection betweentheir exposure to Paraquat and his or her neurological disease.
So what is your deadline to file a Paraquat lawsuit? Calculating the exact deadline for filing your claim can be complicated and you should consult with a lawyer.
What To Know About Paraquat Lawsuits
People who have filed lawsuits against Paraquat have done so primarily due to the development of Parkinsons disease after exposure. Other people have filed lawsuits due to additional health conditions including kidney failure and disease. The earliest Paraquat lawsuits were filed in 2016. Some of the lawsuits filed against the company are class-action lawsuits while others are individual cases.
Most individuals who have filed lawsuits have done so as a result of years of exposure to Paraquat. For example, farmworkers and agriculture workers are at an increased risk of the development of Parkinsons and other negative health effects due to greater exposure to the herbicide Paraquat.
If you were exposed to Paraquat or lived near a location that regularly used Paraquat, you may be entitled to compensation for personal injuries. Contact Florin|Roebig to see how we can help.
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Is There A Paraquat Lawsuit
Unfortunately, many individuals have developed Parkinsons disease as a result of paraquat exposure, including those who live near agricultural areas where the harmful chemical is used. The widespread use of the substance makes it especially unsettling, as many farmers heavily rely on paraquat without understanding its destructive effects. If you or a loved one were diagnosed with Parkinsons disease due to pesticide exposure, Morgan & Morgan can help you secure the compensation youre entitled to.
Ways You Can Experience Paraquat Exposure
Most Paraquat exposure occurs by swallowing the herbicide. However, it is possible to experience skin exposure, which over an extended period of time, can lead to poisoning. Paraquat poisoning also occurs if the amount ingested is particularly concentrated or if it enters through broken skin.
In addition, the herbicide can also cause poisoning when it is inhaled. This type of exposure can lead to lung damage, as well as Parkinson’s.
According to the CDC, the people who are most at risk for exposure are licensed applicators of Paraquat.
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The Plan To Push Paraquat Lawsuits To Trial
The judge in the Paraquat Parkinsons disease class action lawsuit issued a case management order that sets the game plan to select the lawsuits that will be the first to go to trial in this litigation. The plan is to pick out sixteen Paraquat lawsuits. Each side gets to pick half of the cases, subject to eligibility requirements set by the MDL judge.
Then, the lawyers start working up these lawsuits for trial. That involves the discovery process, the fact-finding mission attorneys go to before trial.
This all pushes towards a trial date in July 2023. Does this feel like a long time from now? If you have Parkinsons disease and you believe Paraquat caused your Parkinsons, it seems a long way from a settlement and the justice you deserve. It is not fair. Our system moves slowly.
Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease
Caused by a loss of neurons and the dopamine neurotransmitters they produce, Parkinsons disease is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that worsens over time, causing a variety of both motor and non-motor symptoms to gradually appear.
While there is no cure for Parkinsons, there are some treatment options available that may help lessen some of these symptoms.
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Settlement Amounts In Lawsuits Involving Parkinsons Disease
Our other comparative point for valuing the paraquat cases is the settlement value of other tort cases in which Parkinsons disease was the plaintiffs primary injury.
Parkinsons is difficult to value because it is not a common injury in personal injury claims. Camp Lejeune Parkinsons disease lawsuits are now also being filed But there are no settlement amounts yet n that litigation.
So the next question is there a stand-in injury for Parkinsons disease because it is an uncommon injury in tort cases that we can use as a settlement marker? I think there is: tardive dyskinesia is similar enough that settlement amounts in those lawsuits might give us a lens to Parkinsons disease settlement amounts. Our lawyers have had some experience in those cases. So lets look at settlement amounts and jury payouts for tardive dyskinesia because it is a similar injury to Parkinsons disease.
These cases are suggestive of the type of verdict we might expect to see in Paraquat bellwether trials. These compensation awards support the settlement payout valuation estimates above.