Paraquat Poisoning Lawyers in Jackson, MS

Helping Individuals Affected by the Toxic Herbicide

Have you or a loved one developed symptoms or Parkinson’s disease as a result of exposure to the herbicide known as Paraquat? Whether you were exposed directly as a farmer or as a result of living in a rural, farming community, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your suffering and other damages in a lawsuit. ‘MAGGIO LAW offers free consultations to potential clients throughout Mississippi who have been affected by the toxic chemical. Our Jackson, MS Paraquat poisoning lawyers are actively investigating Parkinson’s-related claims and can meet with you to provide the most up-to-date information and determine your next steps.

Contact us online or call (601) 265-6869 to learn more about our attorneys and how we can help. We can sit down with you and determine if you qualify for a Paraquat lawsuit.

What Is Paraquat?

Paraquat is an herbicide—and a toxic chemical—that is primarily used for weed and grass control in liquid form. Though it was first approved for use in 1961, it became popularized in the mid-1990s and is now used on over 100 types of crops. It’s one of just two pesticides still being used in the U.S. that is banned in other countries, including China, Brazil, and the European Union.

Paraquat is sold under a variety of brand names by different manufacturers, though Gramoxone is one of the most popular brands manufactured by Syngenta. The herbicide is so poisonous that it’s required to use a blue dye, sharp odor, and an agent to induce vomiting if consumed, all to prevent individuals from confusing it with beverages.

Multiple studies have been conducted to explore the links between Paraquat and Parkinson’s disease, a nervous system disorder that affects an individual’s movement and causes tremors. After a popular 2011 study by the National Institute of Health (NIH), a Swiss herbicide manufacturer known as Syngenta claimed the data showed that farmers who use the herbicide are less likely to develop Parkinson’s than the generational population. The study’s authors responded by affirming the opposite—the data shows that individuals are two and a half times more likely to develop Parkinson’s after Paraquat exposure.

In 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it’d be re-evaluating the health risks associated with Paraquat. In August 2020, Congressional Democrats introduced the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act, which would immediately ban multiple chemical classes of pesticides and follow European and Canadian standards. The bill, if passed, would immediately ban Paraquat.

Symptoms of Paraquat Exposure

There are both immediate and long-term signs of Paraquat exposure to be aware of. If a person ingested the herbicide, they may experience immediate pain and swelling of the mouth and throat and may vomit as a result of the added agent.

Other more immediate symptoms of exposure that can occur from hours to days and weeks after poisoning include:

• Kidney failure
• Liver failure
• Lung scarring
• Muscle weakness
• Respiratory failure
• Seizures
• Fast heart rate

If a person survives and moves past their initial Paraquat poisoning, it’s possible they’ll develop long-term lung damage or scarring and over time, Parkinson’s disease. Treatment of more immediate symptoms of poisoning may involve nasogastric suction or intravenous fluids in the hospital, as well as being supported by a ventilator for breathing purposes, but there’s currently no cure for the long-term effects.

How We Can Help

If you or someone you care about has been exposed to Paraquat and is suffering from complications and/or has developed Parkinson’s, you may be qualified to seek compensation in a lawsuit. Our team of lawyers can work closely with you to learn about your story and the extent of your damages, which can include lost income, medical bills, and more. When you hire us, you can expect to meet directly with one of our attorneys and not have to worry about paying a dime unless we win.

You can also trust us to protect you from manufacturers who have their own teams of lawyers they may and will use to dispute your claims. Just because a manufacturer is powerful doesn’t mean they deserve to get away with the harm they’ve caused others.

Whether you were exposed to the pesticide directly or from living near a farm, you deserve to be represented by a caring law firm with a notable track record. Having defended the rights of consumers across Mississippi for years, we know what is at stake in these complex matters and have the litigation experience to prove it. We’re not afraid to face large corporations on behalf of families in need – your fight is our fight.

Want to know if you can participate in a Paraquat lawsuit? Call (601) 265-6869 to get in touch with our Paraquat poisoning lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi.