Paraquat® Lawsuit

What Exactly Is Paraquat?

The highly toxic chemical Paraquat is used to kill weeds, control grass, and remove leaves before harvest. Over the past 60 years, it has been one of the most widely used herbicides in the United States.

Paraquat was a concentrated herbicide that had to be mixed and sprayed from a canister, backpack sprayer, or crop duster and was usually blue. When it first hit the market in 1961, Paraquat was mostly used to stop the growth of weeds on a large scale. It became much more widely used as weeds became more resistant to Roundup, a Monsanto herbicide.

Many weed killers contain the active ingredient Paraquat. Because these products are designated for restricted use, Paraquat applicators must have a commercial license or work for someone with a permit to purchase herbicides. Some of the brand names that contain Paraquat are as follows:

• Blanco 
• Bonedry 
• Cyclone SL 2.0 
• Firestorm 
• Helmquat 
• 3SL 
• Para-Shot 3.0 
• Parazone 
• Quick-Quat 

Agriculture and Farming

Paraquat is most commonly used as a poison to kill weeds and other invasive plants in farming and agricultural communities. While many countries have banned it, Paraquat is still widely used in the United States. Here are a few ways Paraquat can enter your system:

• Swallowing or ingestion - The most common type of unintentional exposure.
• Contamination - Because it is difficult to see, if the liquid is not dyed or given another identifier, it could easily contaminate eating or drinking products.
• Skin contact - It can enter through an open wound or after prolonged direct skin contact.
• Inhalation - Fumes can be inhaled and cause harm.
• Drift - The chemical may drift onto your property if your neighbor uses Paraquat.

Paraquat Danger

Paraquat spray can travel up to 300 yards in the wind from the application site. According to studies, a few drops of Paraquat can kill an adult male. According to research, even a trace amount of Paraquat exposure can harm sensitive parts of the brain and neurons that interact with the brain.

The chemical damages the neurons' protective outer layer (myelin sheath), impairing electrical signal transmission between the brain and the body. If the myelin sheath is sufficiently damaged, symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease can occur. Parkinson's disease results in the loss of brain cells and disruption of the neurons' mind-body connection.

Parkinson's is a chronic and progressive disease. There is no known cure, and the symptoms worsen with time. Many people associate Parkinson's disease with tremors and loss of motor control, but it can also include non-motor symptoms.

Parkinson's disease symptoms typically appear in people over fifty, though younger people account for roughly 10% of diagnoses. Parkinson's disease symptoms such as the following can appear many years after a person has been exposed to Paraquat:

• Muscle Tension
• Tremors (while at rest)
• Loss of Automatic Movement
• Posture or Balance Issues
• Slower Movement
• Vocal Changers
• Changes in Writing

Parkinson's Disease and Paraquat Lawsuit

If you worked with Paraquat or were exposed to Paraquat and have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease or experienced symptoms of Parkinson's disease, contact Scout Law Group today. You may be eligible to file a lawsuit against Syngenta and obtain compensation for your injuries.

You may qualify to file a Paraquat lawsuit if you meet the following conditions:

• You used or worked around Paraquat or other commercial pesticides and weed killers
• You worked on a farm that utilized commercial pesticides
• You lived near farmlands or frequently visited areas where Paraquat or similar weed killers were used

Hundreds of Paraquat lawsuits are currently pending in courts around the country. A lawsuit against the manufacturer, Syngenta, will allow you to recover compensation for the harm caused by its product. It is also the best way to hold the company accountable for its reckless disregard for the health and safety of you and others.

To find out whether you qualify to file a Paraquat lawsuit, you need to speak to an experienced injury attorney. The attorneys at Scout Law Group will consult with you for free to determine your best options for pursuing a legal remedy. Contact us today at 855-345-6777. There is never any cost upfront to you.