If you were diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease or any other type of neurological disorder and were exposed to the herbicide Paraquat, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and conscious pain and suffering. Much like the notorious Round Up lawsuits, our Paraquat lawyers in Kentucky know that many farm and agricultural workers who were exposed to this weed killer are starting to file lawsuits throughout the United States to recover money for their damages. Despite the fact that other countries have identified Paraquat and Gramoxone as being more than two times more likely to cause neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, the manufacturer has failed to pull or design the product in the United States.
Here at Maze Law Offices, our experienced mass tort lawyer knows that any paraquat herbicide exposure could result in serious personal injuries to victims. Whether it was a significant one-time exposure or many months or years of exposure in mixing or spraying the chemical, our skilled legal team can fight for your rights to compensation. But not only for victims, but also for their families who may also be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium, support, income, and other damages – including wrongful death.
To learn how the experienced Paraquat lawyers in Kentucky at Maze Law Offices can help you and your family, schedule your free consultation today. There is no obligation to sign up, and we only get our legal bills paid after you get paid in a settlement, verdict, or another type of award.
Paraquat lawsuits are personal injury and wrongful death claims filed against manufacturers of paraquat dichloride, one of the most widely used herbicides in commercial agriculture. These lawsuits primarily allege that exposure to paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease and that manufacturers failed to adequately warn users about this serious health risk – even after many other countries started to ban the use of this product, it continued to be used in the United States.
Indeed, Paraquat has been used in the United States since the 1960s to control weeds and unwanted grass, particularly in crops like corn, soybeans, cotton, and in orchards. It is known by various brand names, including Gramoxone, Firestorm, and Parazone, as well as having other types of off-brands that can be purchased through bulk supplies or foreign sellers.
Due to its high toxicity, Paraquat is classified as a “restricted use pesticide,” meaning only licensed applicators can purchase and use it, and such applicators must maintain their license through regular training and compliance with best practices. It has been banned in many countries, including China and throughout the European Union, though it remains legal in the United States under restricted conditions – even though manufacturers known how dangerous Paraquat exposure can be.
The scientific basis for these lawsuits includes numerous studies linking paraquat exposure to Parkinson’s disease. Research suggests that paraquat can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause oxidative stress, leading to the death of dopamine-producing neurons – a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. A notable 2011 study found that people exposed to paraquat within 1,600 feet of their homes had a 75% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Despite this, more than a decade later the product is still being advertised and promoted by manufacturers in the United States.
The main allegations in Paraquat lawsuits (including the mass tort claims) is that prolonged exposure to the herbicide significantly increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Plaintiffs typically include agricultural workers, licensed applicators, farmers, and people living in agricultural areas who may have been exposed to paraquat drift. Many lawsuits also include family members of deceased individuals who developed Parkinson’s disease after Paraquat exposure, known as wrongful death or survivor cases.
In addition, like secondhand smoke cases – or more accurately secondhand exposure to chemicals or toxic substances like asbestos – some family members may also have been exposed to Paraquat through the victims who worked the fields and brought it home. Through this secondhand exposure, the family members – including as children who prematurely develop Parkinson’s at an abnormally young age – may have been diagnosed with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s too – even though they have never actually seen the herbicide.
The main defendants in these lawsuits are Syngenta (the primary manufacturer of paraquat products) and Chevron U.S.A. (which previously distributed paraquat in the United States). The lawsuits allege that these companies:
The legal process typically involves demonstrating several key elements, including in these mass tort cases but also for individual plaintiffs who have hired their own Paraquat injury lawyer in Kentucky. For example, some of the important legal issues and proof required are the following:
The litigation is ongoing, with new cases being filed regularly, meaning the potential pool of funds in recovery could also be shrinking as well. Some early settlements have occurred, though many cases are still in various stages of the legal process – including just taking off right now, either in mass tort cases or by individual plaintiffs with their own Paraquat injury lawyer. The outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications for agricultural practices, chemical regulation, and occupational safety standards in the United States, as well as set records for mass tort lawsuits like other Round Up and cancer-causing cases like AFFF or PFAS has done.
Paraquat is a quaternary ammonium herbicide also known by its chemical name N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dichloride. It belongs to the bipyridylium class of herbicides and was first synthesized in 1882, though its herbicidal properties were not discovered until the 1950s and it became more widely used in the United States in the 1960s, as well as the rest of the world, including right here in Kentucky.
As a weed killer, Paraquat is a non-selective contact herbicide, meaning it kills most green plant tissue it touches and does not target a specific species. That means that it really will kill anything it touches, which is why applicators have to be particularly careful. It is particularly effective because it of the following:
Typical application rates range from 0.3 to 1.0 kg active ingredient per hectare, depending on the target weeds and crops. It’s usually applied via ground spraying equipment or aerial application, with careful attention to drift control due to its non-selective nature – especially around desirable crops. In agriculture, it’s commonly used as a pre-plant or pre-emergence herbicide, for crop desiccation before harvest, in no-till farming systems, for weed control in orchards and plantations, and other related applications.
For these applications, the herbicide is typically mixed with water and surfactants for application, with concentrations varying based on the target and application method. Due to its high toxicity to humans, countries that permit paraquat use implement strict safety protocols, including the following:
The use of Paraquat varies significantly worldwide, with some countries maintaining strict bans while others continue its use under regulated conditions. Generally, most countries are banning it’s use or limiting it very strictly, like in the United States. However, more western countries are using much safer alternatives now and not using Paraquat.
Some notable countries that have banned Paraquat include the following:
Some notable countries that still use Paraquat, including with some restrictions on use include the following:
Even though it has been linked to neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s and those other conditions that can result in a painful death, Paraquat is still used far too much in Kentucky and the rest of the United States.
Paraquat has been linked to causing neurological disorders and diseases, including conditions such as Parkinson’s disease which may be fatal. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the motor system. The condition develops when nerve cells in a specific region of the brain called the substantia nigra begin to deteriorate and die. These cells are crucial because they produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate movement and emotional responses. When approximately 60-80% of these dopamine-producing cells are damaged, the characteristic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease begin to appear.
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, approximately one million Americans are living with Parkinson’s disease, with about 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Globally, more than 10 million people are affected by the condition. Although Parkinson’s can occur at any age, it most commonly develops in people over 60, and men are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed than women. Sadly, other statistics show that farm and agricultural workers who were exposed to Paraquat are over two times as likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
The primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease typically develop gradually and may start on one side of the body before progressing to both sides. The four cardinal signs include the following:
Beyond these primary motor symptoms, people with Parkinson’s often experience various non-motor symptoms, including the following that could be related to Paraquat exposure:
Anytime you or a loved one were diagnosed with Parkinson’s or any other neurological disorder after being exposed to Paraquat, call our Paraquat Lawsuit Attorneys in Kentucky at Maze Law Offices. Whether that exposure was once or repeatedly over months or even years, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.
Our Paraquat lawsuit lawyers in Kentucky knows that there are some common symptoms of Paraquat poisoning that you should be aware of – although sometimes exposure and poisoning can occur without any of these signs. But the most dramatic signs are very important to be aware of them. Indeed, Paraquat poisoning is a serious and often fatal form of intoxication caused by exposure to the herbicide Paraquat and its many different names and types/concentrations.
Initial exposure to paraquat typically occurs through ingestion, skin contact, or inhalation. Ingestion is particularly dangerous, with mortality rates exceeding 50% even with prompt medical treatment, which is why all applicators must use proper PPE. The chemical’s highly toxic nature stems from its ability to generate reactive oxygen species, leading to cellular damage across multiple organ systems and doing so in a rapid, aggressive fashion.
The progression of paraquat poisoning typically occurs in three phases:
Immediate local effects include severe burning pain in the mouth, throat, and stomach. Patients often experience intense nausea, persistent vomiting, and diarrhea. Inflammation and ulceration of the oral and esophageal mucosa develop rapidly. In cases of skin exposure, irritation, blistering, and burns may occur. Contact with eyes can cause severe conjunctivitis and corneal damage.
During this phase, Paraquat distributes throughout the body, causing multi-organ dysfunction. The liver begins showing signs of toxic damage, with elevated enzymes and potential acute hepatitis. Kidney failure may develop, marked by declining urine output and rising creatinine levels. Heart problems can emerge, including arrhythmias and circulatory failure. Some patients experience central nervous system effects, ranging from confusion to seizures.
The final and most severe phase is characterized by progressive pulmonary fibrosis, which is often fatal. The lungs develop extensive scarring as paraquat accumulates in lung tissue, leading to severely impaired gas exchange. Patients experience progressive shortness of breath, cyanosis, and respiratory failure. This phase may also involve complete kidney failure and liver dysfunction.
Laboratory findings typically show metabolic acidosis, elevated liver enzymes, increased creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, and abnormal blood gases. Chest X-rays initially may be normal but progressively show infiltrates and fibrotic changes.
It is important to note that you do not need any of these signs of paraquat poisoning to be entitled to compensation if you or a loved one was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Speak with our Paraquat lawyers in Kentucky to learn more about your rights to compensation if you have had any exposure to Paraquat.
The mechanism by which paraquat contributes to Parkinson’s disease involves its structural similarity to MPP+, a known neurotoxin that specifically targets dopamine-producing neurons. When Paraquat enters the brain, it generates excessive oxidative stress, leading to the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra – the same cells that die in Parkinson’s disease. This process creates a cascade of cellular damage that can ultimately trigger the development of Parkinson’s disease.
Agricultural workers face the highest risk of Paraquat exposure, particularly in areas where the herbicide is still in use. A landmark study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that individuals who lived within 500 meters of areas where paraquat was applied had a 75% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The risk increased with longer exposure periods and closer proximity to sprayed areas. This highlights the fact that those who use Paraquat are not the only ones who could suffer from neurological disorders and injuries.
The connection between Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease is so well-established that many countries have banned its use. The European Union prohibited paraquat in 2007, and China followed suit in 2016. However, it remains legal in the United States, though with restricted use only by licensed applicators. As of 2024, over 1,800 lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers of paraquat, alleging that exposure to the herbicide caused plaintiffs to develop Parkinson’s disease.
Prevention strategies for paraquat-related Parkinson’s disease focus on minimizing exposure through proper protective equipment, strict application protocols, and maintaining safe distances from sprayed areas. However, due to Paraquat’s long environmental persistence – it can remain active in soil for up to 20 years – historical exposure remains a concern even in areas where it is no longer used. Simply put, this dangerous and deadly chemical needs to be banned in the United States.
Although there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease, various treatments can help manage symptoms. These include medications to increase dopamine levels or mimic its effects, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgical interventions like deep brain stimulation. Research continues into both better treatments and potential preventive measures, with particular attention being paid to environmental factors like Paraquat exposure. However, elimination of this dangerous chemical is the only way to prevent unnecessary harm to innocent people. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s after any type of exposure to Paraquat, call the Maze Law Offices to set up your free consultation today.
After any exposure to Paraquat, if you or a loved one were diagnosed with Parkinson’s or any other type of neurological disorder, call Maze Law Offices. Unlike other personal injury lawyers, the Maze Law Offices can help victims and their families recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and conscious pain and suffering due to Paraquat poisoning and exposure. This is a dangerous and deadly herbicide that needs to be banned, but until that time, it will continue to needlessly expose farm workers and innocent people to these dangerous chemicals.
To learn more about your rights to compensation after being diagnosed with any neurological disease, especially Parkinson’s, call our Paraquat injury lawyer in Kentucky to schedule your free case evaluation. You may also use our “contact us” box available here to get started today. Maze Law Offices can help you and your family, and we are happy to meet with you at your home, our law office, hospital, nursing facility, virtually, or anywhere else.
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