Parkinson’s Paraquat Lawsuit – Pesticide | Attorney
Parkinson’s disease can strike farmers who were exposed to Paraquat (Gramoxone), a toxic herbicide. Lawsuits have been filed that allege the onset of Parkinson’s was caused by Paraquat exposure.
Matthews & Associates Law Firm is developing cases for people who were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following Paraquat (Gramoxone) exposure. Anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after being exposed to Paraquat is invited to email us for a free legal case consultation. Use the form at this link to contact our Pesticide Litigation Group, or call us toll free any time: (888) 520-5202.
Studies link Paraquat and Parkinson’s Disease
A large 2011 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Farming and Movement Evaluation, investigated the risk of Parkinson’s disease from Paraquat (Gramoxone) exposure. The scientists found that people who sprayed Paraquat on crops were 250% more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease (emphasis ours).
Researchers in 2012 found that agricultural workers in Central California exposed to Paraquat herbicides on crops were 11X more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than people not exposed.
Paraquat Parkinson’s Links
No one knows what causes Parkinson’s in most cases, but scientists who want to study the disease expose animals to Paraquat to make them develop Parkinson’s. Despite those links to Parkinson’s, the EPA has approved Paraquat application on food sources.
Parkinson’s Disease 101
Parkinson’s disease causes progressive damage in a part of the brain that controls movement. Classic signs of Parkinson’s include tremors (involuntary shaking), stiff or rigid muscles, slow movements, poor balance.
Parkinson’s and the Brain
Nerve cell damage in the brain causes Parkinson’s disease symptoms, cell damage to nerve cells in the brain that make dopamine and norepinephrine. These chemical messengers transmit electrical signals from brain to body. A lack of these neurotransmitters causes movement problems, but also many non-motor symptoms that include mental changes, sleeping issues, depression, memory loss, fatigue, constipation, and more.
Parkinson’s not Uncommon
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, roughly 1 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease. It is most often seen in people over 70, and more often seen in men than in women. Parkinson’s is considered incurable by most practitioners; but some treatments can relieve some symptoms.
Parkinson’s Disease Risk Factors
Parkinson’s disease risk factors include exposure to toxic chemicals, herbicides, pesticides, heavy metals, or possible head injuries. Genetics are a primary factor in just 10% of Parkinson’s cases. Fully 90% of Parkinson’s disease cases are thought by experts to be caused by a person’s environmental exposures. (The same percentages roughly apply for cancer.)
Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit
Matthews & Associates Law Firm is now developing Paraquat-linked Parkinson’s disease lawsuits in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s following Paraquat (Gramoxone®) exposure, contact us now for a free legal case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Pesticide Litigation Group now, or call us toll free anytime at (888) 520-5202.
RELATED
