Does Paraquat Cause Parkinson’s Disease?

Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease

Paraquat, a weed killer (herbicide) used in both commercial agriculture and common groundskeeping, has recently been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease in people who have been routinely exposed to Paraquat.

If you have been exposed to Paraquat and later developed Parkinson’s disease, you may be entitled to compensation. Call 1-800-525-7111 today and one of Riddle & Brantley’s experienced Paraquat lawyers will review your case and see if you may qualify, and help you with how to file a Paraquat lawsuit.

What is Paraquat?

Paraquat is a common weed killer that has risen in popularity as an alternative to Roundup, after Roundup’s alleged connection to many cancers including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as well as increasing plant resistance.

Paraquat is manufactured and sold under many different brand names, including:

• Paraquat
• Blanco
• Bonfire Herbicide
• Devour
• Firestorm
• Gramaxone
• Helmquat
• Para-SHOT
• Parazone
• Quik-Quat

The chemical structure of Paraquat has shown to be similar to the active metabolite MPTP which has been linked to neurodegeneration (brain damage and brain cell loss), and has been linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease in many patients.

Our Paraquat lawsuit attorneys are actively investigating these claims. Manufacturers like Syngenta and Chevron are alleged to have known about the risks of Parkinson’s disease associated with Paraquat and failed to warn the public and regulators.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after exposure to Paraquat, please call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.

There is never any obligation and we don’t get paid unless you do. Call 1-800-525-7111 and let’s review your Paraquat Parkinson’s disease claim.

Research on Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease

There are a number of studies that show that exposure to Paraquat can increase the risk for a person developing Parkinson’s disease.

A study by the University of Guelph found that “low-level exposure to the pesticides [Paraquat and maneb] disrupts cells in a way that mimics the effects of mutations known to cause Parkinson’s disease.”

“People exposed to these chemicals are at about a 250-percent higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease than the rest of the population.”

-Paraquat researcher Scott Ryan

Another study published in 2017 by the National Institute of Health found that Paraquat’s chemical structure was very similar to the active metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in the body. MPTP is a common neurotoxicant that can cause neurodegeneration.

In the results of the study, researchers found that when mice were exposed to certain levels of MPTP and Paraquat, they experienced some level of neurodegeneration. This finding, among others, has led researchers to believe that there may be a link between Paraquat exposure and the onset of Parkinson’s disease.

Paraquat Exposure and Parkinson’s Disease

According to the American Parkinson Disease Association, studies have linked an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease in people who were exposed to a rural environment at an early age including:

• Farmers
• People exposed to farm animals
• People who live on farms
• People with known exposure to pesticides
• People who drink well water
• People who live in a rural area

These studies go on to suggest that the uniting factor in these occurrences of Parkinson’s disease with people living in rural areas can be traced to exposure to pesticides. In a study of these pesticides, Paraquat was shown to have one of the strongest associations with causing the development of known mechanisms linked to the pathology of Parkinson’s disease.

To see if you qualify for a Paraquat lawsuit, call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE consultation and claim investigation.

We are committed to seeking justice for those whose Parkinson’s disease was potentially caused by Paraquat.

If you or a loved one have been exposed to Paraquat and developed Parkinson’s disease, call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE review of your case to see if you may qualify for a Paraquat lawsuit.

“This settlement changed me and my family’s lives.”

–Linda B., Riddle & Brantley client 

What is Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement. The cause is currently unknown, but the disease has been associated with certain genetic mutations and toxins like Paraquat. The most noticeable symptom of Parkinson’s disease is tremor.

The disease has no cure, but can be treated with medication. In some cases, surgery may help alleviate certain symptoms.

Parkinson’s disease is caused by the breakdown of neurons, otherwise known as nerve cells. The loss of these neurons causes a depletion in the production of dopamine, a “chemical messenger” in the brain. The loss of dopamine can cause abnormal brain activity, which in turn may cause impaired movement and other Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

Complications of Parkinson’s disease include:

• Cognitive problems — difficulty thinking and other cognitive problems such as dementia may occur, especially in the later stages of Parkinson’s disease.
• Depression and mood problems — depression may accompany the development of Parkinson’s.
• Trouble swallowing — as Parkinson’s progresses, those affected may develop difficulty swallowing, and accumulated saliva may cause drooling.
• Trouble eating — Parkinson’s can also affect the muscles in the mouth, affecting the ability to chew.
• Sleeping problems — Parkinson’s disease can also cause sleep problems and sleep disorders, and waking frequently throughout the night is common, as is difficulty staying awake throughout the day.
• Bladder problems — those with Parkinson’s may develop difficulty urinating or trouble controlling urine.
• Constipation — due to its slowing of the digestive tract, Parkinson’s disease may cause constipation.

Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of Parkinson’s may include:

• Tremor — the most common symptom of Parkinson’s disease, tremor (shaking) typically starts in the limbs, hands, or fingers.
• Bradykinesia (slowed movement) — Parkinson’s may slow patients’ movements, often making routine tasks difficult and time-consuming.
• Muscle rigidity — Parkinson’s disease may cause muscle stiffness, which can be painful and limit range of motion.
• Impaired balance and posture — those with Parkinson’s disease may become stooped, or develop balance problems.
• Loss of automatic / unconscious movements — Parkinson’s may unconscious movements, and those affected may have difficulty blinking, smiling, or swinging their arms when walking.
• Speech changes — speech changes caused by Parkinson’s may include difficulty speaking at louder volumes, slurring, or hesitation before talking, and inflection may become diminished.
• Writing changes — it may become more difficult to write, and handwriting may become smaller.

IMPORTANT: If you’ve developed any of these symptoms, talk with a doctor immediately. 

Did Paraquat Cause Your Parkinson’s Disease?

If you were exposed to Paraquat and later developed Parkinson’s disease, you may be entitled to compensation.

Syngenta and other manufacturers of Paraquat-based weed killers have experienced legal teams on their side to do everything they can to avoid liability for potentially dangerous products like Paraquat.

You deserve to have an experienced legal team on your side, too.

Who is at Risk for Paraquat Exposure?

Those at increased risk of exposure to Paraquat and potential Parkinson’s disease include:

• Farm workers
• Loaders, mixers, and handlers of Paraquat
• Pesticide / herbicide applicators, including:
  • Applicators using handled or backpack sprayers
  • Applicators driving tractors equipped to spray pesticides and herbicides
  • Agricultural pilots (“crop dusters”)
• School children attending schools near farms spraying Paraquat
• Property owners living near farms spraying Paraquat
• Anyone exposed to Paraquat due to unintentional overspray or Paraquat drift

Experienced Paraquat Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit Attorneys

At Riddle & Brantley, our attorneys have over 225-years of combined legal experience fighting for clients who have been injured by others’ negligence. In the last 20 years along, we have recovered over $600 million in compensation for our clients (see disclaimer below).

Our Paraquat Parkinson’s disease attorneys are dedicated to ensuring that those who have suffered potentially due to exposure to this herbicide get the justice and Paraquat compensation they deserve.

Suffering from Parkinson’s disease is hard enough — you deserve to have a legal team on your side that can do the heavy-lifting in court while you focus on you or your loved one’s health.

Please call 1-800-525-7111 or fill out our convenient form for a FREE consultation to see if you may qualify for a Paraquat lawsuit.

Our attorneys are led by Gene Riddle, who graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1985 and has been fighting for injury victims ever since.

Our lawyers have been recognized by such prestigious organizations as Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, and Super Lawyers, to name a few (see disclaimer below).

“It was nice to see Riddle & Brantley put me and my needs first.”

–R. Colley, Riddle & Brantley client

The consultation is always free, and you never pay ANY attorney’s fees unless you receive compensation for your claim.

At Riddle & Brantley, Justice Counts. Let us show you how.

*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.

*** Disclaimer: An attorney must meet certain requirements to join these organizations or receive these awards. For more information on Membership Criteria for Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel, AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the Litigator Award, and other memberships, awards, and accolades, please visit our Membership Criteria page. These awards and memberships should not be construed as a promise or guarantee of a similar result. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.