Paraquat is an herbicide used by famers for killing weeds and crop dusting. It was developed in the 1960s and was immediately recognized as a toxic chemical. Laws were passed that required individuals to be licensed or safety certified in order to work with Paraquat. However, that didn’t make the product any less dangerous. Some common side effects of long-term Paraquat usage include death and organ damage, especially to the lungs, liver, and kidneys. In recent years, Paraquat has been linked to Parkinson’s disease, which is an illness that affects the nervous system.
Agricultural workers in over 30 countries, including the U.S., have been harmed by frequent and / or long-term exposure to Paraquat. Most countries have banned the herbicide as a result, but the U.S. has not taken that step. If anything, Paraquat usage has gone up, especially among farmers that work with hay, soybeans, corn, cotton, and fruit orchards.
If you are an agricultural worker who has been injured by Paraquat, you must have many questions on your mind, such as:
- What is the average length of time for a Paraquat lawsuit to settle?
- Why is it taking such a long time for my lawyer to settle my case?
- Can I switch my lawyer during a Paraquat lawsuit?
We will do our best to educate you on these topics, but the information we provide is for general purposes only. Your incident of Paraquat exposure has its own facts and circumstances, which will affect the outcome of your case. That’s why it’s important to speak to a lawyer and find out about the legal options that are available to you.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or any other health conditions from Paraquat usage, contact our office right away.
The Effects of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a nerve disorder that starts slowly and gets worse over time. Most notably, Parkinson’s disease causes stiff or slow movements that can affect your ability to perform basic tasks. Signs of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Tremors
- Stiff muscles
- Stooped posture
- Problems balancing
- Changes in speech – slurring, speaking in a monotone voice
- Difficulty with basic movements like walking and standing up
- Changes in handwriting
- Loss of involuntary movements such as blinking, smiling, and swinging your arms as you walk.
As the disease progresses, patients may experience related symptoms, which include:
- Problems chewing, swallowing, and eating
- Sleep disorders
- Cognitive disorders like dementia
- Depression and other mental health issues
- Constipation
- Difficulty urinating or inability to control the bladder
- Fatigue
- Sexual dysfunction
- Sudden drops in blood pressure
- Problems differentiating between smells or inability to detect certain smells
Parkinson’s disease has life-altering consequences that will affect many aspects of your life, including your career, personal relationships, and the ability to live independently. If you were diagnosed with Parkinson’s after regular exposure to Paraquat, you may be able sue for monetary compensation. A lawsuit against Paraquat manufacturers will allow you to claim damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Don’t wait to recover the losses you’re entitled to. Contact our office and speak to a Paraquat lawsuit attorney.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Paraquat Lawsuit?
Paraquat lawsuits that have been linked to Parkinson’s disease began in 2017, when plaintiffs filed for compensation against Chevron and Syngenta. There are now several hundred lawsuits, and we expect to see a lot more in the upcoming year. As many cases are still pending, it’s hard to give an average length of time for how long it takes to settle a Paraquat injury case.
We can, however, gain some insight from 16 California lawsuits that were settled in June 2021. These lawsuits were consolidated in 2019 in what is known as a state Judicial Panel Coordination Proceeding. So that’s roughly two years from the date of consolidation to settlement, which is not uncommon in lawsuits with life-long injuries.
Many other lawsuits are still on-going in the federal courts, and it remains to be seen how long they will take to settle. There is much work that needs to happen before a Paraquat case is resolved, and even more so when major corporations are involved. The discovery process – requests for documents, questioning witnesses, hiring experts, etc. – can take a year or more in these cases, not to mention pretrial motions to delay or dismiss the case from Paraquat manufacturers. A lot of your lawyer’s time will be spent fighting these motions and gathering evidence to support your compensation claim.
In spite of the long road ahead, the 2021 decision in the Judicial Panel Coordination Proceeding is a hopeful sign of things to come. But you must take action right away to recover your financial and emotional losses as a Paraquat injury victim.
Help – my Law Firm on the Paraquat Lawsuit is Not Getting Back to Me!
Personal injury lawsuits are not settled overnight, and most clients know this. And yet, many of them show up to our office and say in frustration, “My lawyer is not getting back to me! Can I switch my lawyer or is it too late?”
Luckily, it’s never too late to change attorneys during a Paraquat lawsuit. California law allows you to switch to another firm at any point in your case, but it’s not something you should do on a whim. We certainly understand how upsetting it is when you don’t hear from your lawyer for weeks at a time. Or, when you do hear from them, you’re disappointed to find out there’s been no progress on your case. This isn’t necessarily your lawyer’s fault, since many steps in a personal injury case take time and patience.
On the other hand, if your attorney’s answers are vague and evasive, that could be a red flag. If you’ve asked your lawyer repeatedly for regular updates and there’s no change in the level of communication , that could also be a warning sign. Another sign you may have picked up on is lack of experience, meaning your attorney does not seem knowledgeable enough about the laws governing Paraquat injury lawsuits. Then again, signs are not definitive facts, and it’s hard for the average person to know what’s really going on with their lawyer. Fortunately, we have a solution for that, which you can find about in the next section.
Free Second Opinions
There are legitimate reasons to change lawyers in the middle of a case, but you should always confirm your suspicions with another attorney before you make the switch. If you’re unhappy with your current lawyer, please schedule a free second opinion with one of our attorneys. We will be happy to review your case and evaluate the work that’s been done on your behalf. We can also discuss the pros and cons of leaving your current law firm so that you can make an informed decision.
If you decide to transfer your case to us, there’s no need to worry about notifying the court or the firm you’re currently working with. We will take care of that for you, along with any other procedures that are needed in order for you to make the switch. Our goal is to make things as smooth as possible so that you can focus on what really matters – your health and your loved ones.
Our Zero Fee Guarantee
Paraquat has caused immeasurable harm and suffering for hard-working famers and laborers all over the world. The U.S. has unfortunately refused to ban the sale of Paraquat, and as a result, there are more victims than ever who are dealing with its toxic effects. If you are one of these victims, please give us a call and speak to one of our experienced Paraquat lawsuit attorneys.
Your consultation is absolutely free, and so are the rest of our services if you choose to work with us. Our legal fees are recovered from the manufacturers once we win your case. If we fail to bring you the settlement you deserve, the costs are on us and you walk away without having spent a penny. With so little to lose and so much to gain, there’s no reason to wait on your free consultation. Contact Normandie Law Firm to find out about your rights and legal options.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
What is my Paraquat Case Worth?
Average Value of My Paraquat Case
