Of the different types of dangerous products that can cause harm to people in the United States, herbicides are among the most toxic. Weedkillers are commonly used on farms throughout the U.S., and they often contain dangerous chemicals that can cause multiple health problems for those exposed to these substances. Paraquat, a chemical that is included in some widely-used herbicides, has been found to cause multiple health issues. Those who have suffered injuries after being exposed to these herbicides may be able to pursue compensation from a manufacturer by working with an experienced attorney.

Illnesses Caused by Paraquat Exposure

Herbicides that contain paraquat have been used since the 1960s. Even though this substance is highly toxic, the use of these herbicides has increased in recent years in response to weeds that have become resistant to other herbicides, such as Roundup. Paraquat is a “restricted use” chemical, and before using it, a person must receive training and obtain certification. Anyone who works with this chemical should use the proper protective equipment, including chemical-resistant gloves and aprons, safety goggles or face shields, and respiratory protection.

Exposure to paraquat can occur in multiple ways, including:

There are many types of dangerous products that put people who use them at risk of injury. While multiple government organizations regulate the products that are made available to consumers, some products are not properly tested, or they may be found to be dangerous after they have been used by large numbers of people. Roundup, a popular weedkiller, is one of these products, and large numbers of people who have been exposed to the chemicals in this product have contracted cancer. 

Roundup Lawsuits Addressing Injuries to Consumers

Roundup is one of the most commonly used pesticides in the world. In addition to being made available for retail sale and used by homeowners and people in the landscaping industry, it is also used by many farmers to protect crops such as corn and soybeans. Roundup contains the chemical glyphosate, and breathing this chemical into the lungs or absorbing it through the skin or eyes may have harmful effects.

The primary concern about glyphosate is the risk of cancer. While the manufacturer of Roundup has claimed that glyphosate does not cause cancer, some studies conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other agencies have found a potential link to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which affects the lymph nodes and the body’s immune system. This cancer may also affect the spleen, bone marrow, and digestive tract, and it may spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain or liver. Studies have also found that glyphosate may cause damage to the liver and kidneys.

In April of 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement requesting that the popular drug Zantac be removed from stores. This was done because laboratory tests had found that the drug contained a substance that could potentially cause cancer. Following this statement, manufacturers recalled all prescription and over-the-counter drugs containing the drug ranitidine, including the name-brand Zantac and generic equivalents. While this recall may have helped some people avoid being exposed to harmful substances, it did not address the harm caused to those who had used Zantac in the past. Those who have contracted cancer after using drugs containing ranitidine will need to understand their options for taking legal action against the manufacturers of these medications.

Litigation in Zantac Injury Cases

Prior to the recall, Zantac and its generic equivalents were commonly used to treat conditions that affect the digestive system, such as heartburn, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Independent laboratory tests that were conducted in 2019 found that ranitidine drugs contained unacceptable levels of N-Nitrosodimethylamine, which is more commonly known as NDMA.

NDMA is a carcinogen, and it may cause cancer in multiple parts of the body, including the stomach, esophagus, intestines, colon, rectum, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, liver, lungs, breasts, or prostate. While NDMA is present in certain foods, the FDA recommends that people avoid consuming more than 96 nanograms of this substance each day. However, some tests found that ranitidine products contained as much as 2 million nanograms of NDMA per dose.

There are many reasons why a person may receive a traffic ticket for violating the laws that apply to drivers of motor vehicles. Drivers who disobey the law threaten the safety of themselves, their passengers, and others who use the roads, including people in other vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. When car accidents occur because of traffic violations, a driver who broke the law will usually be at fault for the collision, and they may be held liable for the injuries suffered by victims.

Dangerous Traffic Violations That May Cause Collisions

Drivers commonly commit the following types of violations, and when doing so, they put themselves and others at risk:

• Speeding - Speed limits are meant to ensure that drivers travel at speeds that are safe based on the activity on a certain road. Residential neighborhoods usually have lower speed limits, and speed limits are set appropriately on roads where drivers frequently slow down to make turns or stop at intersections. When drivers exceed the speed limit, they may be unable to slow down in time to avoid colliding with a vehicle that is making a turn or with bicyclists or pedestrians who have entered the road. On roads with higher speed limits, drivers who speed may lose control of their vehicle and collide with other vehicles or obstacles to the side of the road. In addition to violations for driving above the speed limit, drivers may be cited with violations such as Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident or Driving Too Fast for Conditions.

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UPDATE: The recall discussed below, which took place in 2014, was for two lots of ParaGard devices that were not known to be fully sterile. The ParaGard IUD has never been subject to a full recall. However, in the years since this recall, many patients have reported issues with the devices, and multiple lawsuits are currently pending against the manufacturer.

The primary issue that has been reported with the ParaGard IUD is the possibility that it will break, usually when being removed from a patient's uterus. This can leave fragments of the device inside a person's body, and these fragments may need to be surgically removed to prevent further damage to the uterus or other organs. Since 2013, there have been more than 3,000 reports of device breakage made to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nearly 2,000 of these events were considered serious, and 102 people have been hospitalized or faced life-threatening complications. It is likely that the issue is much more widespread, since there are many more people who have not reported incidents to the government or who are unaware of the risks they may face.

While the FDA has not indicated that it will be conducting investigations into the safety of ParaGard IUDs, some online communities are working together to help people share their experiences and raise awareness of the risks people face. In addition, at least 55 lawsuits have been filed in 20 different states by women who have suffered injuries because of the breakage of these devices. If you have experienced any injuries or health issues related to ParaGard IUDs or other birth control devices, Newland & Newland, LLP can advise you of your legal options and help you take action to recover financial compensation. Contact our Schaumburg personal injury lawyers today at 847-797-8000 to arrange a free consultation.