Can You File a Parkinson’s and Roundup Lawsuit?

Over the past five years, there have been growing numbers of lawsuits related to weed killers causing serious illnesses. The most notable medical link has been made between the glyphosate-based product Roundup and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. 

Similarly, Paraquat Parkinson's lawsuits have linked a toxic chemical to brain disease. 

Recently, questions have come up about a possible link between Parkinson’s and Roundup. People are concerned that they or their loved ones may have developed the disease due to Roundup because they didn’t have paraquat exposure.

Let me try and address that question here.

Is There A Link Between Roundup And Developing Parkinson's Disease?

No, currently there is no formally established link between Roundup and Parkinson's disease. 

The main reason why people have confused about the matter is that ongoing lawsuits have linked products that include paraquat dichloride with Parkinson's disease. An increasing number of studies are supporting this claim, which has made such litigation possible [1].

This doesn’t mean that a link between Roundup and Parkinson's disease doesn’t exist, but at the moment, there is not enough scientific evidence to support legal action against Bayer for this disease. 

However, because the paraquat herbicide is widely used, there may be a possibility to claim against other companies. 

More on this shortly.

Related Article: Roundup Lawsuit Update

Are Other Weed Killers Also Linked To Parkinson's Disease?

Yes, other weed killers that contain the herbicide paraquat have been linked to Parkinson’s. 

It is a highly toxic substance, and there have been a lot of calls to ban paraquat entirely from the herbicide market. It’s so toxic that there are regulations to add a bright blue color, a potent smell, and ingredients to make humans vomit in case they accidentally ingest it [2].

One of the main issues is that people who develop Parkinson's disease may show the first symptoms many years after exposure to paraquat. 

This has led many to falsely believe that there was no cause and effect and that there is no increased risk to health by continuing the use. 

What’s The Difference Between Roundup And Paraquat?

The main difference between Roundup and paraquat is that Roundup is a weed killer owned by Bayer, and paraquat is a herbicide ingredient in other common weed killers. 

It’s important to understand that Roundup is based on an active ingredient called glyphosate and doesn’t contain paraquat. And that’s why people can’t file a paraquat lawsuit against Monsanto/Bayer. 

However, people in certain professions may regularly encounter Roundup and paraquat exposure, but it’s important to understand that the litigation process for serious illnesses would be different. 

Not only are there completely different companies involved in these cases, but the underlying diseases are different in both severity and outcome. 

How Do You Qualify for a Lawsuit?

You qualify for a lawsuit by proving that you have a Parkinson’s diagnosis and were regularly exposed to paraquat through a weed killer.

It is not enough to present proof that you regularly used paraquat in the past. There has to be a measurable serious illness with medical evidence of the diagnosis to provide the basis for a personal injury claim. 

If you think you or a loved one may qualify for a paraquat Parkinson's disease lawsuit, contact our dedicated legal team for a free case review. We’ll guide you through the details to establish the necessary evidence. 

“A paraquat toxic exposure lawsuit may be your only chance to receive the compensation you need to cover the costs of treating Parkinson’s disease.”
- The National Law Review

How Much Would a Payout Be Worth?

A lawsuit payout depends on the severity of your serious health problems and the overall impact on your living standards and family. 

In many cases, the lawsuit settlements and trial payouts have gone into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and several cases have paid out in the millions of dollars. 

Here are some of the factors that will influence the value of a lawsuit settlement:

• Your income prior to diagnosis
• Your ability to continue earning a living
• The progression of the disease and expected short and long-term health outcomes
• Your ability to care for your family and children
• Your ability to take care of basic personal needs
• How much do you rely on outside help for day-to-day chores around the home

The more severe the impact is on your life, the higher the possible payout will be. And to establish the best possible evidence for your case, you need the right team of lawyers with the experience and skills to present your evidence for the best possible outcome. 

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Paraquat Lawsuits?

Yes, there is a statute of limitation for lawsuits against Paraquat. However, this time limit is set at the individual state level, and in most cases, it will range between two and four years. 

It’s important to note that this limit isn’t based on when you were exposed to paraquat. Unlike with a car crash where there is a specific time when the personal injury happened, with paraquat, there will be a delay in symptoms developing. 

It’s not uncommon for a final medical diagnosis to happen many years after the exposure, and that is when the time starts ticking. 

It’s vital that you don’t delay contacting a law firm to ensure that the statute of limitations doesn’t become a problem for a positive outcome of your case. 

How Do You Prove Paraquat Exposure?

The best way to prove paraquat exposure that led to a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is through invoices and receipts from the stores where you bought it. 

If you didn’t keep such records, then it may still be possible to get them if the stores keep itemized customer records. 

Also, if people who were exposed to it through employment, like agricultural workers, gardeners, landscapers, and greenkeepers, then work orders and documents relating to standard work practices can also form part of the evidence. 

This is an aspect of the legal case that requires careful attention, so make sure that you review it carefully with a legal team. 

Call for a Free Case Review

If you or a loved one has developed Parkinson's disease and you also had significant exposure to paraquat-based weed killers in the past, then it’s important to contact Schmidt & Clark, LLP team today. 

We will provide you with a free case review to establish what evidence you have and what the best action will be for a successful lawsuit. 

Our team has experience from hundreds of litigations with extensive trial experience and skills in negotiating settlements. 

Contact us today to find out how stress-free our service is so that you can focus on your treatment and family. 

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31476981/
2. https://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/paraquat/basics/facts.asp