Paraquat Settlements for People Living With Parkinson’s Disease

A Paraquat lawsuit settlement is the ultimate goal of your lawsuit. Once your attorney has reviewed your evidence and established a solid foundation for your case, the process will move into the negotiation phase, where your attorney will speak with the opposing party and try to come to an agreement. The agreement, otherwise known as the settlement, will contain provisions of restitution that compensate you for the damage you sustained, such as your medical expenses, lost wages, and any other damages you accrued because of your Paraquat exposure. 

If no agreement can be reached by either party, your case will likely have to go to trial. Rather than receive compensation through a settlement, cases that go to trial end in a jury award, which is another way to describe the compensation you receive at the end of a successful lawsuit. Although most legal issues are resolved in the negotiation phase, our attorneys are always prepared to advocate for your situation in the courtroom. Many law firms haven’t seen the inside of a courtroom in years, but that’s our specialty. All of our attorneys are taught to build up cases the right way, always ensuring that we’re prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, like a trial, down the line.

Paraquat poisoning occurs when someone is exposed to the chemical paraquat dichloride, the main component of Paraquat products. Although it’s not designed to be ingested, one sip of Paraquat is potentially deadly. To make matters worse, there’s no known antidote once someone is poisoned. Paraquat poisoning can also occur if someone:

• Ingested or inhaled the product
• Bumps into a plant that was sprayed with Paraquat
• Has the chemical on their bare skin
• Comes into contact with Paraquat during mixing, loading, or administering

Paraquat is so toxic that the United States has enforced safeguards into the manufacturing process to ensure that it stands out from the crowd. While other countries might not have these precautions, Paraquat is sold in the United States with a blue coloring, offensive odor, and a chemical that’s used to induce vomiting. 

Paraquat is used heavily in the agricultural industry to safeguard crops against unwanted pests and insects. The first instance of the chemical’s use occurred in the 1960s, but its popularity has skyrocketed. Since then, 32 countries have already banned Paraquat from being sold due to its toxicity, and many other countries are beginning to follow suit in an effort to better protect those within the agricultural industry. 

Paraquat is commonly sold under alternate names, such as:

• Blanco
• Bonfire Herbicide
• Devour
• Firestorm
• Gramoxone (manufactured by Syngenta)
• Helmquat
• Para-SHOT
• Parazone
• Quik-Quat

The specific damages you’ll recover through your lawsuit will depend on the circumstances surrounding your case, but most Paraquat victims can expect to recover:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost wages
• Diminished/loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Treatment/therapy expenses
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disability benefits
• Loss of companionship

Some of these damages, such as pain and suffering, are difficult to advocate for because the damage may be internal. A third party won’t be able to understand the pain you’re experiencing, but with a Morgan & Morgan Paraquat attorney by your side, you can navigate through the process with ease and recover the full value of your compensation. Our attorneys know which tactics to use to make the opposing party comprehend the extent of your harm, and we have years of experience in recovering the fullest extent of compensation for the clients who depend on us. We’re prepared to offer the same results to anyone harmed by Paraquat exposure, regardless of how complicated their case may be.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time an agricultural chemical has endangered the health and wellbeing of those who use it. In fact, the manufacturer of the popular product, RoundUp, was forced to pay more than $20 billion to resolve claims alleging the company’s product caused an increased risk of cancer. Once science discovered the link between RoundUp and cancer, more than 120,000 lawsuits were filed by victims all over the country, seeking to hold the manufacturer accountable for their failure to disclose the side effects of their product. The victims in the lawsuit have begun to collect their settlement checks in the spring of 2021, with the average person receiving between $100,000 to $150,000 in compensation.

Another instance of dangerous chemicals can be found in Dicamba, an agricultural product that caused farmers to sustain hundreds of thousands of dollars in damaged crops. The farmers who used this product found that their crops were dying rapidly after coming into contact with Dicamba, which sparked an MDL that resulted in Dicamba manufacturers paying over 4 million dollars to settle claims of their negligence. Although the product didn’t cause as much bodily harm as Paraquat or RoundUp, the product forced thousands of farmers and agricultural workers to lose their crops and, most importantly, their livelihood. Morgan & Morgan represented victims in both of these cases, and in the end, we were able to help the victims recover the compensation they needed to get back on their feet.

No one should have to unknowingly jeopardize their health and wellbeing while using a product that’s designed to be safe for its intended purpose. However, this was the case for many Paraquat victims, as the manufacturers failed to honestly disclose the side effects of their product and caused thousands of farmers and agricultural workers to use a product that results in a lifelong health condition. Morgan & Morgan’s Paraquat lawyers understand how serious a Parkinsons’ diagnosis can be on you and your family, which is why we want to use our size and strength to fight back against the negligent manufacturer. At the end of the day, their failure to disclose the risk of Parkinson’s disease isn’t your burden to bear, and if you team up with an experienced attorney, you can potentially recover the Paraquat settlement you need to cope with your condition in the future.

In the most difficult moments of your life, Morgan & Morgan has your back. If you or someone you know developed Parkinson’s disease or any other adverse health effects as a result of your Paraquat exposure, our attorneys are here to help. We stand as an ally For the People, making us an undeniable asset in your pursuit of compensation. Contact us today to get started.