UPDATE

Our Pesticide Litigation team successfully resolved over 2,000 claims in which our clients claimed that exposure to Paraquat caused neurological injuries, including Parkinson's disease. We are not accepting new Paraquat claims. However, our Litigation team is now pursuing claims that exposure to insecticide Chlorpyrifos causes neurological injuries (click here for more information about Chlorpyrifos) and that the herbicide Atrazine causes cancer and neurological injuries (click here for more information about Atrazine).

What is Paraquat? 

Paraquat is a highly toxic herbicide that has been used commercially since the 1960s to kill weeds. It is restricted to commercial use only. Farmers and agricultural workers are the most at risk for exposure and those who live near industrial farms. 

Links to Parkinson's Disease

Paraquat has been linked to multiple side effects, including Parkinson's disease. Paraquat can alter the chemistry of a cell through a process called oxidative stress. This can cause cell damage and even death of the cell. When specific dopamine neuron cells in the brain are damaged and can no longer function properly, Parkinson's disease can occur.

The highly toxic herbicide has been banned in 32 countries across the world, but not yet in the United States. The use of this herbicide in the United States has, in fact continuously grown in the recent years.

Click here to read a letter written by the Unified Parkinson's Advocacy Council

Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a nervous system disorder that affects movement and progresses over time. Symptoms typically start gradually and cause a variety of both motor and non-motor.

Parkinson's disease can't be cured, but the medications and treatment options that are available help improve and lessen the symptoms.

Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson's

• Tremors (hand or other)
• Prolonged or extreme stiffness                 
• Difficulty with body movements             
• Loss of balance                                        
• Difficulty walking (slow gait, shuffling)           
• Difficulty or soft speaking                       
• Reduced facial expression, blank stare           
• Drooling                                                   
• Small handwriting                                    
• Trembling                                                
• Whole body fatigue or dizziness              
• Amnesia or confusion in evening hours           
• Early awakenings or sleep disturbances           
• Anxiety or apathy                                      
• Hallucinations