Lawsuits are being filed by farmers and agricultural workers with Parkinson’s Disease who were exposed to the weed-killer Paraquat (also known as Gramoxone®).
Need a Texas Paraquat Class Action Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease from Paraquat (Gramoxone®) toxic pesticide exposure, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Paraquat Lawsuits Nationwide Centralized in Illinois
In June 2021, all federal Paraquat lawsuits nationwide involving people with Parkinson’s Disease were centralized into a MDL (Multi-District Litigation) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois under Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel.
Parkinson’s Disease and Paraquat
Paraquat is a chemical herbicide that is used on more than 100 crops to kill weeds. Unfortunately, Paraquat has also been linked to higher rates of Parkinson’s Disease among farmers and farm-workers, according to a major study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What is the Problem?
The NIH study in 2011 found that farm-workers who were exposed to Paraquat were 2.5-times more likely to develop Parkinson’s Disease compared to people who were not exposed to Paraquat. The study was the Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME).
Paraquat Use At 25-Year High in United States
Paraquat is one of the most toxic herbicides in the world — one sip can kill. This is why Paraquat has been banned in at least 32 countries, including China, Brazil, and the European Union. However, in the U.S, Paraquat use is at a 25-year all-time high, because farmers are struggling to control super-weeds that have evolved to survive being sprayed by Roundup®.
What is Paraquat?
Paraquat dichloride is a weed-killing chemical (“herbicide”) that is made by the Switzerland-based agricultural company Syngenta. Syngenta is not allowed to sell Paraquat in Switzerland, so the company exports it to the U.S. and other countries.
Other Names for Paraquat
Around the world, Paraquat is known by many names, such as:
- Gramoxone
- Firestorm
- Parazone
- Helmquat
- And more
How Toxic is Paraquat?
Paraquat can get into the body in many ways. It is extremely toxic when breathed, swallowed, touches the skin, or is accidentally ingested by drinking or eating contaminated food or water.
Breathing Paraquat Gives it Direct Path to Brain, Study Finds
For farmers, Paraquat can easily get into the brain when it is sprayed on crops and breathed in the air. In a recent study in mice, scientists found that breathing Paraquat gives it a direct pathway to the brain — which may help explain the risk of Parkinson’s Disease for farmers.
In the study, male mice who routinely breathed Paraquat lost their sense of smell, which is one of the most common early signs of Parkinson’s Disease. The mice also had high concentrations of Paraquat in their brain tissue. The study was published on December 29, 2020 in the journal Toxicological Sciences
What Are Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s Disease is a neurological illness that occurs when dopamine-producing neurons die off. The disease is irreversible and progressive. The most common signs & symptoms include:
- Shaky hands, fingers (tremors)
- Stiff muscles
- Slower movements
- Trouble talking
- Loss of balance
- Depression
- Cognitive impairment
- Digestive problems
- And more
Can I Join a Class Action Lawsuit?
The Clark Firm, LLP is nationally recognized as a class action law firm in Texas. However, instead of a Paraquat class action lawsuit in Texas, we are filing individual lawsuits for people who were diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease after exposure to Paraquat (Gramoxone®).
About Class Actions
Unfortunately, class actions have big disadvantages when people have developed a very severe health problem like Parkinson’s Disease. The problem is that everyone who joins the class action gets to share the payout, which is why class action payouts are usually tiny.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Paraquat Lawsuits
Our law firm files Paraquat lawsuits for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease. We are focusing on maximizing financial compensation for each person’s devastating health problems, medical bills and future care, lost income, loss of quality of life, or the death of a loved one.
How Much Money is a Paraquat Lawsuit Worth?
The companies who sell Paraquat have a duty to warn people about the potential health risks of using their products. When they put profits above public health, they may face lawsuits from victims who develop serious health problems.
If you or your family member is a resident of Texas who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease due to Paraquat, our law firm may be able to help you seek financial compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering (physical and emotional)
- Decreased quality of life
- Wrongful death
- And more
Are Farmers Filing Paraquat Lawsuits Right Now?
Yes. A growing number of Paraquat lawsuits have been filed by farmers in the Midwest who developed Parkinson’s Disease. The first lawsuit was filed in September 2017. Another farmer filed a Paraquat lawsuit in 2018, followed by additional lawsuits from victims in Central California, a farming region where pesticides are heavily used.
Need a Paraquat Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.
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