Paraquat is one of the oldest and most prevalent herbicides in the world. It’s used primarily to deal with weeds and grasses that can affect crops. Despite being first discovered in 1882, it wasn’t until 1955 that scientists discovered paraquat’s herbicidal properties, and in 1962, a British chemical company, Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI), sought to produce and sell it for agricultural use after making this discovery.
Paraquat is a popular herbicide used in the agricultural industry. It’s a highly effective weed killer that’s only sold to commercially licensed companies, but its toxic properties are extremely dangerous to anyone who ingests, inhales, or has direct contact with it. It’s so dangerous that just one sip of paraquat can be fatal.
The continued use of the herbicide in the U.S. was reviewed and reapproved in 2020, even though it’s banned in over 30 countries and the European Union due to health concerns from exposure. The amount and timeline of paraquat exposure can affect when symptoms present and when long-term, chronic health problems develop. For example, those who inhale small amounts over many years may not show symptoms or develop illnesses until much later in life.
There are many symptoms of paraquat exposure, from nausea and abdominal pain to muscle weakness and confusion. It can damage the intestines, stomach, and skin, scar the lungs, and cause kidney, liver, and respiratory failure. Since 2017, plaintiffs have filed lawsuits alleging that Chevron and Syngenta failed to disclose that the herbicide paraquat increased the risk of Parkinson’s disease. With studies linking paraquat to the disease, the lawsuits have numbered into several hundred.
In June 2021, plaintiffs in 16 California lawsuits settled paraquat exposure claims with the makers of the product. In 2019, these cases had been consolidated into a state Judicial Panel Coordination Proceeding. The time from coordination to settlement spanned roughly two years.
Parkinson’s disease comes with numerous debilitating symptoms and effects. If you’re exposed to paraquat, you may see signs of Parkinson’s such as slow movement, tremors, lack of balance, and lack of flexibility. Those afflicted with the disease may experience hallucinations, delusions, sleeplessness, depression, memory lapses, and impairment of judgment. From these conditions may come the reduced or lost ability to work, function, and maintain relationships.
In this Insider Exclusive, “Justice in America” Network TV Special, “Justice in America for Paraquat Herbicide Victims, our news team meets with Evelyn and Mark Darden, partners in the Addison-Darden law firm to discuss the current litigation against the manufacturers of Paraquat.
They discuss these issues:
What is Paraquat?
Paraquat Exposure linked to Parkinson’s Disease
Filing a Paraquat lawsuit for Parkinson’s Disease
What Damages Are Recoverable in Paraquat Lawsuits?
How is Paraquat Poisoning diagnosed?
Paraquat Exposure: Signs, Symptoms, and Health Effects
Paraquat History: An In-depth look
And more………
Evelyn and Mark have has earned reputations as unyielding trial lawyers who repeatedly represent clients against big companies and the Goliaths of the world. And repeatedly win. They have earned the highest respect from citizens and lawyers alike…. as some of the best Trial lawyers in Maryland and across the nation. They have built substantial reputations nationwide by consistently winning cases other law firms have turned down. And their amazing courtroom skills and headline grabbing success rate continue to provide their clients with the results they need……And the results they deserve.
To contact Evelyn, Mark, and their firm, please contact (410) 760-6077 office or Toll Free 855 327 3365 and visit them on-line https://addisondardenlaw.com/