Paraquat or Gramoxone is a type of herbicide that is so toxic to humans that even a sip can lead to the development of Parkinson’s disease or even death.
The risk of Parkinson’s is seen to be enhanced by 150% by Paraquat. People who have been affected adversely by Paraquat and the families of those who have succumbed to it can file a lawsuit that can provide financial compensation.
Hire a Paraquat lawsuit lawyer if you get exposed to this herbicide and experience complications like Parkinson’s disease as a consequence.
The Paraquat settlement can help cover all types of lost wages, sufferings, and medical expenditures incurred by the victim and his/her family.
What Makes Paraquat Dangerous?
Paraquat is one of the most popular and widely used commercial herbicides in the United States. It is commonly used for controlling weeds in a plethora of crops that include peanuts, cotton, soybeans, potatoes, and vegetables.
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Paraquat is highly toxic and comes without any antidote. Because of the high toxicity levels, this is classified as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) and available to certified and trained applicators and not recommended for residential use.
Consequences of Herbicides in Paraquat
Paraquat presents a variety of adversities to both animals and plants. Numerous countries, including the European Union, Switzerland, China, and many others, have banned the product because of its human health concerns and high toxicity.
The health concerns related to this are:
- Lung damage
- Enhanced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease
- Necrosis of muscle tissue
- Kidney failure
- First degree burns
- Skin abrasions
- Organ failure by inhalation
- Respiratory failure
- Eye damage
- High risk of cancer post-exposure
Many articles have been published highlighting the dangers of Paraquat and its usage as an herbicide on various crops in the United States.
But, little has been done to protect the consumers despite being well aware of the dangers and risks involved in getting exposed to this and its subsequent development of fatal conditions like Parkinson’s. In fact, the use of herbicides is augmenting in the United States massively today.
What Are Your Legal Options?
While it may be possible for many to get exposed to Paraquat, it is mainly the licensed Paraquat applicators who have the highest chances for exposure. After all, they are the only ones who are permitted legally to purchase and use this product.
The licensed applicators can be exposed in the following ways –
- Eating or Drinking Contaminated Food – Unless an odor, dye, or vomiting agent is added to the Paraquat, a person may be unaware of whether he or she has ingested the contaminated food.
- Swallowing- This is the most common way of getting exposed to Paraquat.
- Inhalation – Lung damage can be caused if this herbicide is breathed in.
- Through the Skin – Usually, the skin needs to be exposed for a prolonged period to put the victim at risk for the side effects. Nevertheless, if the Paraquat was mainly concentrated or if, by any chance, leaked onto an open cut or sore, it is more likely to enter the body.
If the attorney validates the claim you are posing, you will be eligible to pursue the lost wages and compensation for the medical treatment costs. Also, you may recover compensation for the pain and suffering caused to you or your family and your lost earning capacity due to its adverse impact.
If you lost a loved one because of the side effects of Paraguay, you could file a wrongful death claim to receive compensation for the losses. This can include the types of damages like:
- Lost Guidance
- Lost Companionship
- Lost Care
- The Wages/ Benefits that the Deceased Would Have Earned
- Suffering and Pain
- Medical Expenditures
- Funeral Expenditures
The compensation can also be significant for those diagnosed with a severe condition because of the herbicide. The expense for battling the disease (stating it to be around $26400 every year for individual care of a Parkinson’s patient) is discussed in the Unified Parkinson’s Advocacy Council’s letter to the EPA.
On a case-by-case basis, the value of every claim is assessed. An experienced and able Paraquat lawsuit lawyer can help to secure the maximum compensation for you and your family by filing lawsuits against the product manufacturers that put people’s lives at risk.
This can help to protect others also from these dangerous products. So without giving a second thought, you should immediately consult or look for legal help if such a situation arises.