Filing A Paraquat Parkinsons Lawsuit
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Parkinsons after exposure to Paraquat, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a Parkinsons diagnosis, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
Filing a lawsuitcan be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.
The Paraquat Parkinsons Lawsuits are Paul Rakoczy v. Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, et al., Case No. 4:21-cv-02083, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and Charles Adams v. Syngenta Crop Protection LLC, et al., Case No. 3:21-cv-00380, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
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Join This Paraquat Parkinsons Disease Injury Lawsuit
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with Parkinsons disease or believe you are experiencing the onset of Parkinsons disease symptoms after exposure to Paraquat, you may qualify to join this Paraquat Parkinsons disease injury lawsuit investigation.
Learn more by filling out the form on this page for a free case evaluation by a Paraquat Parkinsons disease injury lawyer.
Opioid Overuse And Addiction Problems
Recent research has indicated opioids should no longer be used to treat back pain, spurring new guidelines that only recommend the use of opioids for cancer pain. However, according to a study involving 2019 data, nearly one-quarter of US adults with chronic pain admitted to using opioids in the prior three months.
Other research indicates long-term opioid prescriptions and high-doses increase the risk of abuse and adverse events, including overdoses. Furthermore, many children are given high risk opioid prescriptions that can lead to misuse and abuse later.
In recent years, the opioid epidemic has worsened, ultimately accounting for nearly 70% of all overdose deaths, according to a 2018 study.
The crisis has largely been spurred by the use of synthetic opioids, like fentanyl which is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl deaths increased more than 1,000% in recent years.
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No Win No Fee Paraquat Lawyers
If we accept your case, we will handle it under our No-Fee Promise Guarantee. This means that we charge no legal fees unless we obtain a recovery.
We pay all case costs and expenses from start to finish.If your case is unsuccessful for any reason, you owe us nothing.
We put that in writing for you
Serving Clients Nationwide
Main Office: Nadrich & Cohen, LLP, a law firm located at 12100 Wilshire Blvd #1250, Los Angeles, CA 90025 .
Risk Of Paraquat Poisoning
This report revealed scientific studies finding that “paraquat increases the likelihood of developing Parkinson’s disease.” In addition, the study found a correlation between the toxic chemical and the increased risk of paraquat poisoning and oxidative stress.
In other research by the same team, farmworkers had an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease if exposed to toxic paraquat herbicides for five or more years. This toxic herbicide is widely used and often causes harmful side effects on those exposed to it. Those with Parkinson’s disease should avoid exposure at all costs.
A study conducted in New York as part of the Agricultural Health Study examined whether or not exposure to pesticides, including Paraquat, was connected to Parkinson’s disease.
The study concluded that although there was an association between using the chemical and contracting Parkinson’s disease, other factors might be contributing to this link.
However, that evidence was insufficient to implicate the dangerous chemical as the cause of Parkinson’s disease in humans.
More research is necessary to determine why farmers who use this herbicide are more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. Still, we know that the link exists due to animal and human studies.
This link between paraquat and Parkinson’s disease should draw serious attention. In addition, farmers should consider using other pesticides that don’t have such harmful side effects.
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Estimated Settlement Payout Value For Paraquat Claims
Despite all these variables that will impact the eventual payout value on Paraquat cases, our lawyers estimate a reasonable individual Parkinsons disease settlement payouts. We do this by looking at settlement payouts in prior mass torts. Our attorneys also look at the settlement compensation for Parkinsons disease in tort cases generally.
Based on these points of comparison, our Paraquat lawyers think that the likely settlement payout on Paraquat claims will be as follows:
Settlement TierEstimated Settlement
Tier III $20,000 $150,000
Remember, we are talking about expected Paraquat settlement amounts, not trial value. The average successful verdict in an individual Paraquat lawsuit would likely be more than $10 million with the possibility of much more in punitive damages. Does that sound too high? Remember, the average successful verdict in the Roundup lawsuits was well over $500 million. In the 3M earplug lawsuit where the claim is a hearing-related injury, the average individual jury payout is well over $10 million. Parkinsons disease is a far more serious injury. So an average jury compensation payout estimate of $10 million might be on the low side.
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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Who Is Most Likely To Have A Strong Case
Because you will need to be able to prove that you were exposed to Paraquat, your case may be stronger if you fall into one of a few groups. These include:
- Certified Paraquat applicators
- Agricultural workers such as growers and pickers
- People living on or near farms
- Anyone who routinely works with or around commercial pesticides
However, you may still have a case even if you arent a member of any of these groups. If you believe you were exposed elsewhere, such as a wildlife refuge or local green space, you may be able to gather documentation that shows that Paraquat was used there. Your attorney can assess the facts, do some research, and help determine whether you have a case.
Enzymes Interacting With The Herbicide
Paraquat is known to cause Parkinson’s disease because it targets the mitochondria in our cells, which generate the necessary energy for the proper functioning of the body.
This herbicide interacts with one of these enzymes called cytochrome P450 in the mitochondria . As a result, it interrupts the process, which creates energy.
Unfortunately, the mitochondria cannot create energy, so they will shut down and cause cell death, and in some cases, lead to Parkinson’s. It has been found that rats exposed to Paraquat developed Parkinsonism.
This herbicide interacts with enzymes in the body, especially those involved in Parkinson’s. Consequently, this leads to cell death and neuron damage, which are signs of this devastating illness.
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Paraquat Lawsuits Can Be Filed Decades After The Plaintiffs Exposure
If you were recently diagnosed with Parkinsons disease that may be related to paraquat, you can still file a paraquat lawsuit today, even if your exposure to Paraquat occurs years or even decades ago. All states have a statute of limitations that imposes a deadline for filing a civil tort action for things such as product liability. The applicable statute of limitations period for a tort claim ranges from 1 to 7 years depending on the state.
The applicable SOL period does not begin to run, however, until the plaintiff either knew or had reason to know that they had a claim. For a paraquat lawsuit, this means that the SOL period would not begin to run until the plaintiff knew or should have known that they had Parkinsons disease and that it might have been caused by exposure to paraquat.
The connection between paraquat exposure and Parkinsons disease is something that a reasonable person would not be expected to know. This is particularly true because the companies that made and sold paraquat deliberately failed to warn about the link between paraquat and Parkinsons. Most of the plaintiffs in the Paraquat and Parkinsons disease litigation are bringing their claims based on exposure that occurred a very long time ago.
New Paraquat Lawsuit Updates
The class action lawsuit for those harmed by paraquat added more than 200 plaintiffs per month in 2022, so it is growing quickly. At the start of 2022 there were 482 plaintiffs with Parkinsons disease involved and by the end of the year there were 2,352. If you have been harmed by paraquat, now is the time to reach out to an attorney.
The federal multi-district litigation for this case was scheduled to begin the first bellwether test trial in 2022, however it was postponed until October 2023 so that depositions of expert witnesses could be completed.
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Is Paraquat Safe To Use
Paraquat is a highly toxic chemical.
While paraquat producing companies have been directed to augment the chemical with some safety measures such as a blue hue to indicate it should not be drunk and a smell that may induce vomiting in the cases of significant paraquat ingestion, herbicidal exposure can occur before, during and after application to crops.
There are multiple routes that small, yet potentially harmful, amounts of paraquat can enter the body:
- Absorption through skin
- Inhalation of droplets through the mouth and nose
- Ingestion of droplets through the mouth and nose
What Types Of Compensation Could I Receive
Every case is different, so your compensation could be entirely different from someone elses. In general, though, the types of compensation in a Paraquat lawsuit might include:
- Past, present, and future medical bills related to your Parkinsons including medications and therapies
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages, which are designed to punish the manufacturer for negligence
Note that there is already a class-action suit in the works. Depending on how things play out in the future, your case may be rolled into that suit. If that happens, there could be an overall settlement in which each plaintiff receives an agreed-upon amount of compensation. However, it is way too early in the process to know if this is the most likely route.
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How Do I Find A Lawyer For A Paraquat Lawsuit
Contact an experienced paraquat lawyer at Dahlberg Law today to discuss your potential paraquat Parkinsons lawsuit. Our attorneys can answer your questions and explain your legal rights. Were committed to ensuring you and your family receive the financial compensation youre entitled to. You can also call us at 507-424-3000
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What Herbicide Causes Parkinson’s Disease
Paraquat is a common herbicide that has been linked to Parkinson’s disease. If you or your loved one was exposed to paraquat and later suffered from Parkinson’s, contact Sokolove Law today. Our team’s available 24/7, and there’s no cost to speak with us.
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About The Paraquat Mdl
In 2017, there were almost 400 lawsuits against paraquat manufacturers. With the influx of claims that followed alleging the same or similar harm, hundreds of paraquat lawsuits were consolidated into multidistrict litigation in July 2021. Consolidating cases this way means theres one judge and one forum for filing claims in this case, thats the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Illinois.
The latest numbers indicate that 681 lawsuits are pending in the MDL that claim failure to warn and that the herbicide manufacturers were aware or should have been aware of the known risks. It allows the discovery process, pre-trial motions, and scheduling of hearings on plaintiffs and defense motions to be heard in one court.
To become part of the paraquat MDL, potential plaintiffs are given a questionnaire to assess:
- Extent and type of exposure
- Diagnosis or history of Parkinsons disease
- Family history of neurodegenerative diseases
- Financial damages
There are also many class action lawsuits that involve plaintiffs who were exposed to paraquat and developed Parkinsons disease. Unlike multidistrict litigation, where each claim is seen as separate, class actions are a single lawsuit, and the verdict applies to everyone taking part in the claim.
Occupational Dermal Exposures Effect On Industry Workers
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a study indicating that more than 13 million United States workers across all different industry sectors are believed to be currently at risk of exposure to harmful chemicals via skin absorption. The study mentions that occupational skin exposure may result in the contraction of a wide variety of diseases, which could negatively impact your health and ability to work. These changes could place a significant economic strain on you or your family due to loss of health and the ability to perform tasks required for your line of work.
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Does Paraquat Increase The Risk Of Parkinsons Disease
Paraquat works by preventing electron transfer in the plants to which it applies. Electron transfer is an essential component of many of the plants functions, including photosynthesis and respiration. Once these processes are inhibited, the plant dies. Activists and members of the scientific community worry that Paraquat functions similarly in humans and other animals. Science writer Brian Clegg summarizes the issue for Chemistry World. Because humans respiration and other essential functions also rely on electron transfer, many are concerned that Paraquat might damage these functions in humans and animals as well as plants. If these systems are disrupted, serious health results may occur. In particular, there has been increasing concern that exposure to Paraquat might be linked to Parkinsons disease, a degenerative neurological condition.
Concerns about the connection between Paraquat exposure and Parkinsons disease gained increased attention in 2011 when the NIH conducted a study known as Farming and Movement Evaluation to explore possible links. The study found that individuals exposed to Paraquat were roughly 2.5 times more likely to develop Parkinsons disease than those who had no such exposure.
A 2012 study from the Parkinsons Institute revealed that individuals characterized by a particular gene variation had an eleven-fold increase in their likelihood of developing Parkinsons disease after exposure to Paraquat.
Is This A Class Action
No. Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are handling these cases on an individual basis. This is because those who developed Parkinsons disease due to paraquat will each have different damages that is, losses stemming from the diagnosis.
For instance, some individuals may have more medical expenses than others or may have suffered more in lost wages. Further, married couples may have an additional claim for loss of companionship due to the disease.
To learn more about why cases like paraquat are typically not class action lawsuits, check out this page.
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Paraquat Exposure Health Effects
Paraquat has been used commercially as an herbicide in the United States for half a century. One popular brand-name herbicide using the chemical is Gramoxone, made and marketed by Syngenta. The damage paraquat does to living tissue has always been widely known, since its used specifically for that purpose: killing weeds.
In 2011, Agricultural Health Study researchers discovered that paraquat is linked to Parkinsons disease. Users of paraquat were more than twice as likely to develop Parkinsons disease than nonusers. Other studies have also shown how paraquat is linked to Parkinsons disease. With evidence building, in 2017, the Unified Parkinsons Advocacy Council called on the EPA to ban paraquat altogether, citing studies showing that people exposed to paraquat in their youth had an increased risk of 200%600% to develop Parkinsons.
You can be exposed to paraquat a few ways:
The Oklahoma Statute Of Limitations For Paraquat Lawsuits
Every state has its own laws that limit how long you have to file a Parkinsons disease lawsuit. The staff at McIntyre Law can tell you exactly how much time you have, but its typically a couple of years from the time you learn of your diagnosis. If you think you might have a case, its very important that you contact McIntyre Law as soon as possible.
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