Get legal help for complications after exposure to paraquat
Paraquat exposure has devastating consequences that can affect a person’s whole livelihood. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your exposure, you may acquire debilitating medical symptoms, develop a lifelong impairment, or suffer psychological distress. Not only that, but you may face thousands of dollars in medical expenses and be unable to return to work or other activities that you once enjoyed. We understand that your diagnosis cannot be changed. However, you can get financial compensation to help you live a better life in the future.
What is Paraquat?
Paraquat dichloride, also known as paraquat, is an herbicide and weed killer that was first used in the 1960s to inhibit the growth of weeds and grass near crops on big and small commercial farms, estates, plantations, and orchards. Paraquat is a restricted-use chemical, which means that only commercially permitted users may purchase it. Over the last 20 years, as weeds have become increasingly resistant to other industrial herbicides, commercial farmers and other entities have expanded their use of paraquat. Paraquat, however, is highly hazardous and can cause Parkinson’s disease in anyone who is exposed to it. Various agrichemical companies produce paraquat under different brand names. Trade names for paraquat include:
- Para-SHOT 3.0
- Helmquat
- Parazone
- Firestorm
- Ortho-Paraquat
- Quick-Quat
- Devour
- Blanco
- Bonfire
- Helmquat 3SL
- Bonedry
- Cyclone SL 2.0
Manufacturers Of Paraquat Are Unconcerned About Public Health
Every business has a legal obligation to guarantee that its products are safe. However, when a company fails to warn consumers about its product’s dangerous side effects, innocent people suffer the consequences. Despite that the dangers of paraquat exposure have been recognized for decades, numerous companies in the United States still manufacture it under various brand names, the most renowned being the following:
- Syngenta
- Chevron Chemical Company
- Adama Group
- Altitude Crop Innovations LLC
- Drexel Chemical Company
- United Phosphorous
- Helm Agro
- Sinon USA, Inc.
- Innvictis Crop Care LLC
Unfortunately, corporate greed drives companies to continue manufacturing this highly poisonous pesticide, putting profits ahead of consumer health. To make matters worse, anybody who seeks proper recompense for their losses will almost certainly be met by a team of attorneys who will do everything possible to protect the company’s bottom line. Henson Fuerst’s attorneys have the skills and desire to take on major corporations to obtain the compensation our clients deserve.
We Are Here To Be Your Voice And Help Reclaim What You Lost
If you’ve been exposed to paraquat, you need someone on your side who is committed to protecting you and your family’s best interests. It doesn’t matter what you’re up against or who you’ve been harmed by. Our attorneys have over 150 years of combined expertise in assessing personal injury and product liability claims. Using our resources and experience, we ensure that we have all of the evidence necessary to hold the person or company responsible for any wrongdoing.
We understand that exposure to paraquat can cause severe long-term effects, which is why we fight to ensure our clients are safeguarded not only now, but in the future. We aren’t only interested in taking on a matter and resolving it quickly. We are deeply committed to your cause, and achieving justice is at the top of our priority list. We genuinely care about our clients and work tirelessly on their behalf to get the best possible result in every case. Contact our product liability attorneys today by calling 866-677-0420 or by submitting a free case evaluation form online.
Why Is Paraquat So Toxic?
While paraquat may be an effective weedkiller, it is a very toxic and hazardous substance. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only one sip of this pesticide may kill you, and paraquat exposure has resulted in numerous fatalities and serious health consequences over the years. When paraquat comes into touch with a plant or other living creature, it breaks the oxygen atoms out of the molecules within the cells. When individuals are exposed to oxidative stress, the consequences can be devastating and permanent, frequently resulting in death.
Side Effects of Paraquat
Short Term Side Effects of Paraquat Exposure
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Breathing difficulties or failure, potentially resulting in death
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Coma
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Confusion
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Dehydration
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Elevated heart rate
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Gastrointestinal distress (like nausea, diarrhea or bloody stool, and vomiting)
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Muscle fatigue or weakness
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Pain and swelling of the mouth and throat
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Seizures
Long Term Side Effects of Paraquat
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Lung damage
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Lung scarring
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Kidney failure
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Heart failure
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Scarring of the esophagus
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Parkinson’s disease (from long-term exposure)
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Impaired lung function (from long-term exposure)
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Reproductive problems (from long-term exposure)
The Scientific Link Between Paraquat And Parkinson’s Disease
It’s heartbreaking to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The disease can cause patients and their families years of physical, mental, and financial hardship. The attorneys at Henson Fuerst are here to help those dealing with the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease as a result of paraquat exposure.
Who Is At Risk For Paraquat Exposure?
Anyone who comes into contact with paraquat is at risk of poisoning and the negative side effects that come with it. Farmers and farm workers are often the most susceptible to paraquat exposure. Other people who might be affected by paraquat poisoning include the following:
- Employees who sell or sold paraquat
- Employees working in paraquat manufacturing plants
- Individuals who mix paraquat products
- Certified paraquat applicators
However, agricultural workers are not the only ones who may be in danger. Paraquat may also travel from the application site to adjacent towns, according to evidence. As a result, persons who live near agricultural regions may be exposed to paraquat. In addition, paraquat may contaminate drinking water and fruits, vegetables, nuts, and cereals marketed to the general population.