Paraquat refers to a chemical component that is most commonly used as an herbicide. Although the discovery of paraquat dates back to nearly 140 years ago, it was not well known up until the mid-20th century. At present, it is being used as an herbicide agent on a variety of different crops.
What you need to know about paraquat:
Since it is an herbicide that has a restricted usage, it can be mixed, loaded, or applied by individuals who have studied and completed an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved training program. paraquat can be misused in several ways and thus, it can only be used by specific individuals to avoid any unfortunate situation.
The chemical affects people if it is taken through the mouth, inhaled through the air, or absorbed by the skin. It is a toxic chemical that is known to cause a plethora of issues in an average human being. Some of the most common after-effects of consuming paraquat include swelling of the mouth and throat, nausea, and abdominal pain. If things get out of control, symptoms may rapidly progress and can pose a danger to your life. These severe symptoms could be in the form of dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, and low blood pressure. Even if a person survives the adverse effects of paraquat, s/he is likely to experience a set of long-term effects such as kidney failure, lung damage, or heart failure.
Why is paraquat bad?
Research conducted by the American Council on Science and Health concluded that a component of paraquat i.e. glyphosate, a herbicide, is known to be toxic and the level of toxicity ranges from 33-250. The interesting aspect to note here is the fact that a lethal dose for humans is only 2.5 grams, which means that even a single sip of paraquat can kill an individual.
In addition to the multitude of side effects, it can also lead to a more serious disease. The consumption of paraquat is known to be linked with the onset of Parkinson’s Disease. This legitimate claim can be supported by a study conducted in 2012 by Genetic Modification of the Association of Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease, which concluded that people who had been exposed to paraquat, were more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.
Paraquat lawsuit
Over the course of 20 years, the scientific community has made significant efforts to study and examine the effects of paraquat on humans, and how it leads to Parkinson’s Disease. Research published in the American Journal of Epistemology revealed that exposure to Paraquat within 1700 feet of a home will most likely increase the risk of having Parkinson’s Disease by 75%.
After years of comprehensive study, the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council sent a letter to the EPA, which highlighted the economic costs that have to be incurred by a person suffering from Parkinson’s Disease.
Finally, in October 2017, a lawsuit was filed against the two manufacturers of paraquat: Syngenta and Growmark. The lawsuit was filed after farmers who were exposed to the drug, developed Parkinson’s Disease. Several other similar lawsuits have been filed in other states since then. Ever since the original claim has been filed, Chevron Chemical has been added as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Does it end here?
No, absolutely not! The first lawsuit filed against paraquat has made way for more to come. In the next few years, thousands of additional lawsuits are expected to be filed against the manufacturers. If this will happen, then it may lead to the creation of multidistrict litigation or MDL. Simply put, an MDL is created when a number of people have suffered the same injury due to the same defendant. In this case, if an MDL is created for paraquat, the cases would be combined and a settlement would be arranged where the plaintiffs would receive an agreed amount.
How much can you get with a paraquat lawsuit?
The lawsuits against paraquat are still in process. However, the impact of these lawsuits is significant and they will probably be settled within the next few years.
No one knows the exact amount of the lawsuit settlement. Lawyers speculate that a section of the paraquat’s lawsuit could be worth a million dollars. The massive damages are expected to cover medical bills, wages, and alleviate the medical and physical suffering that was caused.
Can you file a lawsuit against paraquat?
If you have been exposed to paraquat in any shape or form and resultantly developed Parkinson’s Disease, you must act now. Try contacting a lawyer to file a lawsuit and fight for not just your money, but also for your own self.
