Contact the paraquat poisoning attorneys of Bisnar Chase for expert legal help if you have suffered serious health issues or side effects from using this popular type of weed killer. We offer a ‘No Win, No Fee’ guarantee to make sure you get the superior representation you deserve.
Paraquat herbicides are commonly used to kill or control grass and weeds. But in recent years, it has been discovered that this toxic product can cause major health issues, with studies showing strong links to Parkinson’s Disease. Manufacturers have often failed to provide proper warnings over the serious risks of these products.
If you have suffered after coming into contact with these herbicides, the Paraquat Lawsuit Lawyers of Bisnar Chase can help. Our law firm excels in bringing negligent companies to justice over dangerous and defective products. Contact us now for a free consultation to find out if we can win compensation for you.
Paraquat Lawsuit
What is Paraquat?
Paraquat is a type of chemical used in herbicide products, created to kill weeds and control crops. Variants of paraquat have been – and are still – sold by a number of manufacturers in the U.S. and across the world, including Chevron Chemical Company, Syngenta, and Growmark.
The full name for this industrial strength weed killer ingredient is paraquat dichloride, but it has been sold under a huge number of different trade names. The most common products include Gramoxone, Cyclone SL 2.0, Firestorm, Herbikill, Helmquat, Parakill, Parazone, Ortho-Paraquat, and Revolver, among many others.
Herbicides using paraquat dichloride are highly toxic and designed to kill plant tissue on contact. They are banned in some countries, but in the US, their use is merely restricted. Dangerous paraquat-based weed killers can be used in the United States as long as a certified applicator supervises the spraying, and the spray site is kept clear for a certain amount of time after the application.
This means that victims across the U.S. can be exposed to the toxic dangers of paraquat poisoning and associated health issues. If you think you’ve been harmed, contact our experienced paraquat poisoning attorneys for a free consultation. Call 800-561-4887.
Paraquat Weed Killer Poisoning
There are several ways in which a paraquat weed killer can poison or cause harm to the human body.
This is a highly toxic and potentially lethal substance, and the most common ways for it to enter a person’s system are through inhalation or contact with the skin.
While the sale of paraquat weed killers is restricted, it is still commonly used by agriculture professionals. There are countless examples of people suffering severe side effects from occupational paraquat use.
One fatal case study saw a farmer die after a few hours of spraying diluted paraquat dichloride using faulty equipment that allowed the liquid to leak onto his skin.
It is most common for exposure to occur while someone is mixing or loading a paraquat solution, or during the spraying process itself. However, while applicators are at the greatest risk, the spray can travel hundreds of yards through the air, depending on weather conditions. It can also bond with soil and water, significantly increasing the levels of potential exposure.
If you have been exposed and suffered health issues or side effects, contact the paraquat weed killer poisoning lawyers of Bisnar Chase now to find out if you could have a case.
Paraquat Health Concerns
Paraquat side effects can be varied, but numerous health concerns have been linked to paraquat herbicide poisoning, most notably the increased chance of a person developing Parkinson’s Disease.
Consuming even a small amount of the substance can be deadly, causing irreversible damage to major organs such as the heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, adrenal glands, and central nervous system.
Skin exposure can also hit victims with a wide range of symptoms, including blistering and burning, trouble breathing, stomach pains, and much more. This gives you a snapshot of just how dangerous this substance can be. But it can also cause chronic effects and very serious permanent diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease.
Contact a paraquat lawsuit attorney for expert legal help now if your health has been compromised.
Paraquat Linked to Parkinson’s Disease
One of the most serious side effects of using paraquat weed killer is the increased risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.
Studies have shown a link between exposure to weed-killing herbicides like paraquat and the development of Parkinson’s. Several studies have already been carried out, and the link continues to be explored by scientists.
Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative condition that becomes more severe over time. It is a form of brain disorder that can take hold when nerve cells within a certain area of the brain die.
It can cause both mental and physical effects. Parkinson’s Disease symptoms include:
- Shaking and tremors
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Stiffness and limited movement
- Behavioral changes
- Fatigue
- Memory issues
- Loss of control over limbs
- Changes to speech
Famous examples of people with Parkinson’s include actor Michael J. Fox and boxer Muhammad Ali. In 90% of cases, Parkinson’s develops in later years, usually in people aged 60+. However, early-onset Parkinson’s is possible, and research suggests it could be made more likely by exposure to paraquat herbicides.
Experts also warn that paraquat dichloride poisoning could cause millions of extra cases of Parkinson’s Disease, with cases predicted to double.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease after exposure to paraquat weed killer, contact the top-rated Paraquat Lawsuit Lawyers of Bisnar Chase for a free consultation and expert guidance.
Paraquat Poisoning Lawsuits
In 2017, a paraquat poisoning lawsuit was filed by agricultural workers in Illinois who developed Parkinson’s Disease and had been exposed to paraquat. It was filed against Syngenta and Growmark, and an amendment was later made to add Chevron Chemical to the defendants.
The lawsuit alleged that the manufacturers were negligent in selling a dangerous product without proper warnings over the potentially damaging effects.
The complaint lodged by the plaintiffs stated that they were not made aware of the dangers, making the manufacturers and distributors negligent in their duty. Several subsequent lawsuits have also been filed by those left suffering the side effects of paraquat, including some in California.
So, who can file a paraquat weed killer poisoning lawsuit? If you have been exposed to a brand of herbicide or weed killer that contains paraquat dichloride and have later been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, related signs of the disease, or other possible side effects, you may be able to file a lawsuit.
Contact the paraquat poisoning attorneys of Bisnar Chase to talk to one of our intake experts in a free consultation with no obligations. Our compassionate and knowledgeable staff will talk through the specifics of your case and let you know if you have a valid paraquat legal claim.
Paraquat Poisoning Compensation
If your case is successful, you could win compensation for the suffering you have endured due to paraquat weed killer exposure. But how much will your case be worth?
The simple answer is that every case is different. A court will take each claim on its own merits, accounting for a wide range of factors. These might include:
- A victim’s pain and suffering.
- Medical costs.
- Impacted quality of life.
- The cost of future care.
Contact a paraquat weed killer attorney for more information on what your case might be worth. Call 800-561-4887 for a free case review.
Paraquat Lawsuit Attorneys Near Me: Choosing Bisnar Chase
The Paraquat Lawsuit Lawyers of Bisnar Chase are here to fight for you if you have been harmed by a defective product or a negligent manufacturer.
We know that there are plenty of personal injury law firms across California vying for your case. But we firmly believe that our passion, skills, and track record set us apart from the crowd.
We have been in business for more than 45 years, helping more than 12,000 people over that span. We have an outstanding 99% success rate, winning more than $800 million for our clients.
At Bisnar Chase, we are already helping a large class of plaintiffs fight for compensation in Roundup cases. We have the skill and expertise required to win your paraquat poisoning case.
We are dedicated to our craft and passionate about helping people. We also offer a free consultation and a ‘No Win, No Fee’ guarantee to make sure clients get the superior representation that they deserve.
Is Paraquat Banned?
There are different rules governing the use of paraquat weed killers for different countries. Many countries consider the substance to be too dangerous to humans for agricultural use, even if the applicator is wearing full protective gear.
Switzerland was the first country to ban paraquat in 1989. The chemical was banned by all countries in the European Union in 2007, and its use is not allowed in a total of 32 countries worldwide.
However, paraquat is still used in over 100 countries, including the United States. Its use is restricted in the U.S., and is meant for agricultural use but not residential.
The U.S. paraquat restrictions were introduced by the EPA and state that applicators have to be properly certified to handle paraquat chemicals. They must wear proper safety equipment, and the area must be kept clear for a period of time after spraying.
Increased Use of Paraquat Weed Killer
It is believed that the use of herbicides containing paraquat has increased in recent years, with this spike in usage linked to Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide.
Roundup has long been one of the most popular weed killers in the U.S. But its reputation has taken a hit after being named in a large number of Roundup lawsuits due to its harmful impact. Courts have already awarded millions of dollars to victims who have suffered due to Roundup exposure.
While Roundup is more readily available than the restricted-use paraquat products, this is still believed to have increased the use of potentially harmful paraquat herbicides.
The following are just some of the frightening statistics of paraquat use:
- More than 7 million pounds of paraquat was sprayed in the U.S. in 2016.
- China produces more than 100,000 tons of paraquat annually, all of which is exported.
- Paraquat usage is up 4x on soy crops in recent years.
- Herbicides containing paraquat are used to spray more than 15 million acres of land every year.
With usage on the rise, this means that more people than ever could be exposed to the chemical and be in danger of developing Parkinson’s Disease. If your health has been negatively impacted by paraquat products, contact Bisnar Chase to find out more about the process of pursuing a product liability lawsuit.
Timeline of Paraquat Dangers
The paraquat chemical was first created in the 1880s, but it took more than 70 years for it to be used as a form of weed killer. The following timeline shows how the use of paraquat evolved, in addition to how the exposure dangers were discovered.
➤ 1955: A British company called Imperial Chemical Industries first harnessed the toxic elements of paraquat to make a form of herbicide.
➤ 1961: The substance was first sold as a highly effective weed killer under the product name Gramoxone by Imperial Chemical Industries.
➤ 1964: With Gramoxone now widely available as a plant management product using paraquat as the active ingredient, the chemical became a registered herbicide with the U.S. EPA watchdogs.
➤ 1987: Paraquat was granted a registration standard by the Environmental Protection Agency. This means that the substance was evaluated and was not found to pose undue dangers to humans or the environment.
➤ 1991: The EPA issued a data call-in, requesting further information on paraquat. This time it was marked as having high acute toxicity.
➤ 1996: The EPA passed a series of guidelines that made it restricted use. This included enforcing a maximum rate of application, certain application methods, protective clothing, label warnings, and more. From this point, only trained applicators were able to handle paraquat herbicides.
➤ 1998:The first studies were carried out showing that farmers are more likely to develop Parkinson’s Disease. Exposure to weed killing chemicals was hypothesized as a potential cause.
➤ 2009: A groundbreaking study was carried out by the American Journal of Epidemiology showing a correlation between paraquat exposure and a drastically increased risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease.
➤ 2011: Research published in the Environmental Health Perspectives journal found an even stronger link between paraquat and Parkinson’s, with the risk being increased by 250% within the study findings.
➤ 2016: The EPA introduced stricter container regulations for paraquat chemicals.
➤ 2017: The first lawsuit was filed against companies selling weed killers with paraquat as the active ingredient.
➤ 2019: The EPA started a thorough review of paraquat-based weed killer products. It found that the chemical posed some environmental risks, but no additional risk to humans as long as current guidelines are followed. Watchdogs reviewed more than 70 articles and studies linking the substance to Parkinson’s Disease and other dangers, but claimed there was insufficient evidence to ban the product.
Contact our Paraquat Lawsuit Attorneys
Contact the Paraquat Lawsuit Attorney sof Bisnar Chase today for help fighting for justice. Call (800) 561-4887 for immediate assistance to determine if you have a case. Our seasoned trial attorneys can investigate the details of your case for a path to victory.
