Paraquat Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit

There are strong associations between paraquat and Parkinson’s. Scientists are very careful when discussing cause and effect, but it’s worth remembering that, at one point, the tobacco industry used the argument that there was no definitive proof that smoking caused cancer, even though the associations are almost impossible to deny. The asbestos industry used the same trick. 

The leading theory on how paraquat causes Parkinson’s has to do with dopamine—a chemical messenger in the brain that is critical to motor function. When the nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine die, they are not replaced. When enough of these neurons die or stop working, dopamine production falls to the point that the brain cannot properly coordinate movement in the body. This results in the characteristic tremors, slowness, stiffness, and walking and balance problems of Parkinson’s disease. 

Animal studies have shown that, if you feed a mouse paraquat, it kills the dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Once paraquat enters the body—which is most likely to happen when a person applies the chemical to crops—it can ultimately end up in the brain. Research has shown that inhaling paraquat gives it a direct path to the brain. 

This is significant because paraquat becomes aerosolized when it is sprayed on crops. The people who have filed Paraquat lawsuits are primarily farm and agricultural workers.

The hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s are movement-related. According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, the three “cardinal” movement symptoms are: 

• Slowness of movement (bradykinesia)
• Stiffness/rigidity of the arms, legs, and trunk
• Resting tremors (trembling of the hands, arms, face, and jaw)

Some people with Parkinson’s also have problems walking and difficulty with balance and coordination. These symptoms are progressive, meaning they get worse over time. Eventually, Parkinson’s patients can have trouble chewing, speaking, and swallowing. 

Most people are familiar with the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, but there are other symptoms (sometimes called the “invisible” symptoms of Parkinson’s) that include: 

• Constipation
• Depression
• Memory and cognition problems
• Sleep problems
• Low blood pressure
• Sexual problems
• Excessive sweating
• Urination problems
• Drooling
• Fatigue
• Loss of smell

No single symptom indicates that a patient has Parkinson’s. Especially in the early stages of the disease, there may be warning signs such as: 

• Slight shaking
• Change in handwriting
• Loss of smell
• Change in gait
• Vocal changes
• Dizziness or fainting
• Stooping, leaning, or slouching

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, drugs can help to relieve symptoms. Inpatient and outpatient care may also be required. A study from the Michael J. Fox Foundation found that the total U.S. cost of  Parkinson’s is around $52 billion in medical costs, including hospitalization and medicine, and $26.5 billion in non-medical costs (things like missed work, lost wages, family caregiver time, and forced early retirement). The cost per patient, per year, is estimated at $52,000.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and have an agricultural background that involved spraying paraquat on crops, you might be able to file a claim. Paraquat lawsuits are being filed across the country against big corporations like Syngenta, Chevron Phillips Chemical Co., and Growmark Inc. 

Morgan & Morgan, the country’s largest injury law firm, has a proud tradition of representing America’s farmers against corporate giants. Find out if you’re eligible for a paraquat lawsuit during a free case review.