The herbicide paraquat dichloride has become the center of a growing health crisis. Scientific research has revealed a troubling connection between this widely used weed killer and the development of Parkinson’s disease. Thousands of agricultural workers, neighboring residents, and others exposed to this toxic chemical are discovering that their neurological symptoms may be the direct result of a product its manufacturers knew or should have known was dangerous.
Those Exposed to Paraquat Are at Risk for Parkinson’s Disease
The Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME) study, conducted by the National Institute of Health, found that people exposed to paraquat were approximately 2.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease compared to those without exposure. Despite attempts by manufacturers to dispute these findings, multiple subsequent studies have reinforced this connection.
A 2012 study revealed that people with certain genetic variations who were exposed to paraquat faced an 11 times greater risk of developing Parkinson’s. More recent research published in Nature Chemical Biology identified specific pathways through which paraquat causes cell death through oxidative stress—precisely the type of cellular damage observed in Parkinson’s disease.
Where Is Paraquat Commonly Used?
Paraquat is used in many commercial agricultural operations in the United States. The herbicide is particularly common in the production of crops such as corn, soybeans, cotton, and fruit orchards. Because paraquat is a restricted-use chemical, only licensed applicators may handle the toxic product.
Products that contain paraquat include:
- Gramoxone
- Helmquat 3SL
- Bonedry
- Ortho-Paraquat
- Devour
- Blanco
- Cyclone SL 2.0
- Quick-Quat
- Para-Shot 3.0
- Firestorm
Paraquat can enter the body through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion, with even small amounts potentially leading to serious health consequences. Farm workers, equipment maintenance personnel, and those living near application sites may all face harmful exposure. Acute or long-term exposure to paraquat can result in varying symptoms and side effects on the body, with severe cases leading to organ failure, coma, or death.
Your Legal Options After Developing Paraquat-Related Parkinson’s
If you’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after exposure to paraquat, you may be eligible to file a paraquat lawsuit and may be entitled to significant compensation. Nationwide, victims are filing lawsuits against Syngesta and Chevron, two paraquat manufacturers that failed to warn the public of the dangers of this product.
Over 7,000 paraquat lawsuits and counting have been filed in state and federal courts. These claims have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL), a type of legal procedure that combines similar cases into a single filing for efficiency. People are continuing to join the MDL, and if you developed Parkinson’s after paraquat exposure, you could be one of them.
By taking legal action, Paraquat lawsuit attorneys can help you recover compensation for:
- All medical expenses associated with your Parkinson’s disease
- Disability accommodations and equipment
- Specialized counseling and psychological treatment
- Loss of income and earning potential due to your condition
- Emotional and physical pain and suffering that you have endured
Take the First Step to Justice with Estey & Bomberger, LLP
Facing a Parkinson’s diagnosis after Paraquat exposure can be overwhelming, but you do not have to confront this challenge alone. The attorneys at Estey & Bomberger, LLP are representing people across the United States in their lawsuits against the chemical’s manufacturer. We can fight for your right to a fair recovery. Contact us at (800) 260-7197 for a free case evaluation and let us put our experience to work for you.