Paraquat

Kelley | Uustal is fighting for justice for veterans and their families after five decades of disease and deceit.

Paraquat, also known as Gramoxone, is an herbicide that’s restricted to commercial use due to its high toxicity. It’s commonly used to kill weeds and grass and can also be sprayed on other crops such as wheat, corn, hay, alfalfa, wheat, cotton, fruits, vegetables, corn, soybeans, and orchards. The herbicide is sprayed as a mechanism for clearing fields before crops are planted. Long term exposure to Paraquat can lead to the development of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), a chronic and progressive disease. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s due to paraquat exposure, you may be eligible to file a paraquat lawsuit that can provide financial compensation to help cover any medical expenses and lost wages.

Do I qualify for a Paraquat lawsuit?

If you have been exposed to Paraquat and subsequently developed Parkinson’s disease or signs of ongoing developing Parkinson’s – you may qualify to participate in the Paraquat lawsuit.

What is Paraquat?

Paraquat is a chemical agent most commonly used as an herbicide. It is frequently used in no-till farming systems, as well as in orchards, vineyards, and other crop areas where weed control is essential. Paraquat applicators apply the weedkiller directly to plants as a spray that kills the leaves with direct contact. It’s currently banned in 32 countries due to the health issues it causes.

What risks does Paraquat pose?

Paraquat has been found to put those exposed to the chemical at a higher risk for Parkinson’s Disease. In 2011, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducted a study – the Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME) – which found that exposure to the popular herbicide was linked to a 2.5x higher risk of developing Parkinson’s. According to the American Council on Science and Health, Paraquat’s relative toxicity of glyphosate, another popularly used herbicide known to be toxic, ranges from 33-250.

A lethal dose for an average person is around 2.5 grams, and it is even more toxic when inhaled.

Paraquat’s toxicity has made it a traditionally popular agent for suicide because it can kill a person with a single sip.

What factors will be considered to determine your Paraquat claim?

We may seek the following damages on your behalf:

  • Past and future medical expenses stemming from Paraquat-caused Parkinson’s injuries
  • Past and future pain and suffering (physical and mental) caused by the injuries, as well as the treatment and recovery process
  • Past and future loss of wages (and loss of estate, in case of death)
  • Past and future loss of capacity to earn
  • Past and future diminished enjoyment of life
  • Punitive damages, if appropriate

What are Multidistrict Litigations (MDLs)?

Multidistrict litigation (MDL) is a special federal legal procedure designed to speed the process of handling complex litigations by consolidating cases and addressing all pretrial procedures in one court.

The chosen district court will oversee discovery and pretrial litigation, ultimately ensuring that consistent rulings follow.

After pretrial proceedings are completed, a few cases that are representative of the issue at hand will be selected for bellwether trials.

What are bellwether trials?

Bellwether trials are a small consolidation of lawsuits, taken from the larger group of similar cases in an MDL, to be tried first.

The bellwether trial is essentially a practice run to help anticipate the results of the future similar cases.

Tell Us Your Story

If you or someone you love have personally mixed or sprayed paraquat, have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or are under a doctor’s care for the symptoms of Parkinson’s, contact us today. Our team is skillfully trained in recovering significant damages for clients. Let us help you today.