Since 1962, paraquat has been widely used throughout the United States mainly by agricultural workers. In the past, people used paraquat under the supervision of a licensed herbicide applicator.
However, in 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency made it mandatory for individuals who intend to employ paraquat to undergo special training, which must be retaken every 3 years.
During this training, future paraquat applicators are taught about the toxicity of the herbicide.
It is worthy of note that the use of paraquat has skyrocketed over recent years. From 2011 to 2017, the employment of paraquat more than doubled, increasing from 3 million kilograms being used every year to 7 million kilograms.
One of the reasons why paraquat has become so popular in the United States is that it is a very effective herbicide. It destroys weeds and grasses that are resistant to glyphosate, which is a dangerous herbicide sold under the brand name Roundup throughout the country.
Therefore, paraquat has become a popular alternative to Roundup, which is manufactured by Monsanto which is currently the leading user of paraquat in the country, with 10,262,736 kilograms per year. The following states have also employed the use of herbicide in large amounts:
People who live in these states need to be very careful regarding their health, as they have a higher risk of exposure to paraquat, especially if they live in close proximity to farming communities. According to a study from the American Journal of Epidemiology, exposure to paraquat within 1,600 feet of a home increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 75%.
Thereby, it is crucial to keep a close eye on your health if you live in one of the states with the largest paraquat use and look out for the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which include:
Nonetheless, people who come to struggle with this brain disorder are often unaware of their symptoms, which is why we strongly advise their family members to pay close attention to their health. In the regrettable case that you or a family member have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, they can recover financial compensation from the liable manufacturers of paraquat. The team of professionals at Atraxia Law will thoroughly assess your situation to let you know with certainty whether you qualify for filing a paraquat claim.
A very important aspect to keep in mind if you intend to file a paraquat claim which is the statute of limitations, it refers to the timeframe within which you can file it. It ranges between 1 and 6 years, but most states have a statute of limitations of 2 or 3 years from the moment of diagnosis. For this reason, it is essential to seek assistance as soon as you or your family member receives their diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease.
Eventually, you will know for sure if you qualify for filing a paraquat claim and if you do, we will guide you to a specialized attorney to recover the compensation you are entitled to. For additional information, please feel free to contact us, and we will gladly answer your questions.
With over 35 years of experience in evaluating personal injury and product liability claims nationwide, the team of professionals at Atraxia Law will carefully assess your circumstances of exposure to paraquat, as well as the severity of your Parkinson’s disease, and let you know whether you are eligible for filing a paraquat exposure claim.
Although the process is quite complex, it will require minimal involvement on your part.
