Washington D.C. Paraquat Lawsuit

Paraquat is an acutely toxic herbicide used by farmers to control grass and weeds. If you or your loved one has suffered injuries due to exposure to Paraquat, you are entitled to claim compensation from the manufacturer of the product.

Class action or mass tort lawsuits are quite complex because manufacturers have substantially more resources than do consumers or other ordinary people affected by their dangerous products. That’s why you need to hire the best Paraquat lawsuit lawyer in Washington DC to handle your case.

The team of expert Washington DC mass tort lawyers at Rueb Stoller Daniel is highly experienced in representing hundreds of clients in class action lawsuits and winning millions of dollars on their behalf. If you suffered from Parkinson’s disease or any other condition due to Paraquat exposure, you should talk to a specialized mass tort lawyer at Rueb Stoller Daniel today for a free consultation.

Class action lawsuits are complicated. Our lawyer will evaluate your case and see whether you have a valid class action case to obtain compensation for the injuries you had to suffer. Our class action lawyers are highly skilled and experienced in dealing with hundreds of class action lawsuits in Washington DC.

Call Rueb Stoller Daniel in Washington DC at 1-866-CALL-RSD to handle your Paraquat lawsuit and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.

Table of Contents

What Is Paraquat?

Paraquat, or paraquat dichloride, is a widely used herbicide in the United States. The product was first created in 1962 and is a blue liquid manufactured by Syngenta. Paraquat is manufactured by different manufacturers and sold under different brands.

Gramoxone is the most popular brand of Paraquat sold across the world. Gramoxone is one of the most toxic herbicides used in the United States today. Even though most countries have either banned or decided to phase out the use of Paraquat to protect the lives of their citizens, the Environmental Protection Agency reapproved the use of Paraquat in the United States despite the many health risks associated with the product.

paraquat being sprayed in field

Paraquat was originally discovered in the 1880s for other applications. An R&D team at Imperial Chemical Industries or ICI in Britain found that Paraquat could be used successfully in the agricultural industry to control weed and grass in the fields. ICI manufactured Paraquat under the brand name of Gramoxone in the early 1960s.

In fact, Gramoxone was considered an effective weed killer across the world in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Paraquat has become popular in the United States in the past 15-20 years due to its effectiveness in killing weeds in agricultural fields. The past decade saw a 450% in the use of Paraquat in soybean farms around the United States.

A total of 32 countries around the world – including the European Union – decided to ban the use of Paraquat to protect their citizens. Even though China is the largest manufacturer of Paraquat, the country decided to phase out the production of the herbicide due to health concerns.

Even Brazil is planning to phase out the use of Paraquat in the country. These issues raised concern and led to the creation of many Paraquat lawsuits.

Paraquat exposure is associated with several medical complications including Parkinson’s disease – which is a common neurological condition affecting millions of patients around the globe. The condition can result in speaking difficulties, swallowing difficulties, tremors, rigidity, impaired balance, and slow movements over time.

The American Journal of Epidemiology published a study in 2009 that revealed that exposure to Paraquat within 500 meters of a home increased the risk of Parkinson’s disease by at least 75%. You can become exposed to Paraquat through a cut, sore, ingestion, or extended skin exposure. It can result in lung damage when inhaled.

If exposure to Paraquat has resulted in injuries or ill-health conditions, our Paraquat mass tort lawyers can help sue the manufacturer in court for compensation.

Paraquat lawsuit-attorney

What Side Effects and Injuries Does Paraquat Cause?

Paraquat poisoning is quite a fast process where symptoms will develop quickly. Immediately after inhaling or ingesting a toxic amount of Paraquat, you may develop swelling and pain in the mouth and throat. You will experience nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea over time. These ailments led to the initial start of Paraquat lawsuits.

Ingesting large amounts of the toxin may cause severe symptoms such as:

  • Confusion
  • Muscle weakness
  • Seizures
  • Respiratory failure and difficulty breathing
  • Fast heart rate
  • Coma
  •  Liver failure
  • Acute kidney failure
  • Respiratory failure
  • Pulmonary edema
  • Lung scarring

What Do We Know About the Lawsuits Regarding Paraquat?

The first Paraquat lawsuit was initiated in October 2017 in St. Clair County, Illinois. The Paraquat lawsuit was filed by a group of agricultural workers and farmers against Syngenta and Growmark – two of the popular manufacturers of Paraquat in the United States.

The group of agricultural workers and farmers have already suffered from Parkinson’s disease as a result of being exposed to the herbicide. The victims claimed that they were unaware of the serious health risks associated with being exposed to the product. In the event you or a loved one may have been affected, reach out to us to inquire about council for a Paraquat lawsuit.

How Can Our Lawyers Help With a Paraquat Lawsuit?

Mass tort lawsuits are quite complicated and require the assistance of a professional Paraquat mass tort lawyer in Washington DC. The mass tort lawyers at Rueb Stoller Daniel have extensive experience in representing hundreds of clients in class action lawsuits and obtaining millions of dollars in compensation on their behalf. Reach out to us in the event you need more information related to a Paraquat lawsuit.

What Is The Process of Filing a Mass Tort or Class Action?

There are several stages to filing a class-action Paraquat lawsuit in Washington DC. Your lawyer should review a lot of information before deciding to file the case. Some of the information that needs to be reviewed includes:

  • Details of your illnesses or injuries
  • Details of the injuries or illnesses suffered by other users of the same product
  • The number of plaintiffs involved in the mass tort process
  • Statements made by the manufacturer of the product

Your lawyer will go through all the information to build a strong case on your behalf.

What Type of Damages Can I Receive if the Case Wins?

You can receive compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages are divided into special and general damages. Special damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damages while general damages include emotional distress, pain, and suffering.

On the other hand, punitive damages are awarded by the court to punish the defendant and deter similar actions from other people.

doctor evaluating paraquat lawsuit

Is There a Time Limit to Filing My Claim?

Yes. You have six months from the date of illness or injury to file a mass tort claim against the manufacturer of the product.

Contact a Paraquat Lawsuit Attorney at Rueb Stoller Daniel Today

If you or someone in your family has suffered injuries/illnesses due to exposure to paraquat in Washington DC, you can claim compensation from the manufacturer of the product. Mass tort lawsuits are quite complex, and you need to hire the best mass tort lawyer to handle your claim. Call Rueb Stoller Daniel in Washington DC at 1-866-CALL-RSD to handle your Paraquat lawsuit and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.