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Helping People Rebuild Their Lives After Injury
Farmers and the agricultural industry work hard to protect crops and put food on our tables. Landscapers, groundskeepers, and commercial applicators protect plants and fauna to make our land beautiful. But who protects them when a toxic chemical like the pesticide paraquat endangers their health?
Research shows that exposure to paraquat dichloride increases one’s risk for Parkinson’s disease, a chronic degenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system and motor function. If you were exposed to paraquat and now suffer from Parkinson’s, you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at Ricci Law Firm are here to help.
Navigating the Complexities of Product Liability
We represent clients who have been injured by defective or dangerous products, holding manufacturers, designers, and distributors accountable for their negligence. Our team works to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages caused by unsafe products.
Additionally, we pursue third-party claims for additional compensation and guide clients through the legal process, ensuring they receive the financial support necessary for their recovery and long-term stability.
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Paraquat Is a Potentially Deadly Herbicide
Key Facts About Paraquat Marketing
- Primary Manufacturer: Swiss company Syngenta is the leading producer of paraquat, marketing it under various brand names, including Gramoxone, Firestorm, and Para-Shot 3.0.
- Global Bans: Switzerland, China, Brazil, and many European countries banned paraquat over 25 years ago due to its toxicity.
- U.S. Regulation: While paraquat remains legal in the U.S., federal rules aim to prevent accidental consumption rather than banning its use entirely.
- Legislative Efforts: A bill to prohibit all uses of paraquat was introduced in Congress but ultimately stalled before becoming law.
Paraquat entered the U.S. market in 1964. Since then, the agricultural industry has used it to control weeds and grass in various settings. When crops and vegetation became resistant to other chemicals, paraquat sales increased, making it more prevalent.
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies paraquat as a “restricted use” pesticide, which means the people who mix or apply it—primarily farmers — must have a special license and training. The chemical is commonly applied to alfalfa, corn, and cotton crops, as well as fruit orchards and vineyards.
Despite its effectiveness, paraquat poses harmful, if not fatal, dangers to human health. North Carolina is among the states where it is used most, putting farmers, growers, and agricultural workers statewide at serious risk.
When digested, paraquat rapidly diffuses into the body, compromising the kidneys, liver, lungs, and other organs. Because 70% of people who take even one sip of paraquat die from it, federal regulations require a blue dye additive so people won’t mistake the chemical for Gatorade, Powerade, or another beverage.
Understanding Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s is a devastating disease that creates a dopamine deficit in the brain that damages nerve cells, causing uncontrolled movements. The progression often starts with a hand tremor, followed by tremors in other limbs, loss of balance, and stiffness—quickly or gradually, depending on the individual.
Besides limited motor skills, people with Parkinson’s can also experience:
- Apathy
- Cognitive impairments
- Constipation
- Depression
- Loss of sense of smell
- Sleep disorders
The disease usually worsens over time, impacting the individual’s everyday activities and the lives of their family and caregivers. There is no cure for Parkinson’s, but medications can help manage the symptoms.
Product Liability FAQs
Product liability claims can be complex, with numerous legal challenges that may feel overwhelming, especially while recovering from injuries caused by a defective product.
To assist you, we’ve compiled answers to some of the most common questions our clients have about product liability cases in North Carolina. Read on to understand your rights and explore your options for pursuing compensation.
It can be easy to feel like your personal injury case is taking forever. There seems to be a snag at every turn you take toward a resolution. You can’t help but wonder if there’s a way ...
When you think of a whiplash injury, most think about the pain caused by their head being jerked in a new direction against the will during an automobile a...
Contact Ricci Law Firm Injury Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been exposed to paraquat dichloride and were later diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you may be entitled to compensation from the paraquat manufacturers.
Recoverable compensation can include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages compensate victims for tangible, calculable costs, such as medical bills and lost income. Non-economic damages address injuries that are harder to calculate, such as physical pain and emotional distress. North Carolina also allows punitive damages when the victim can prove the defendant engaged in “willful and wanton” misconduct.
In tragic cases where the victim dies, the person’s estate can bring a wrongful death claim to compensate surviving family members for the separate economic (funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, etc.) and non-economic damages (loss of consortium, loss of affection, etc.).
But a lawsuit is about more than money; it’s a way to obtain justice from paraquat manufacturers for failing to warn users about the inherent, known dangers of a toxic pesticide they produce.
You can hold those wrongdoers accountable. Contact us for a free consultation about your rights.