If you or a family member has been affected by paraquat and has since developed Parkinson’s disease, it is important to seek legal help as soon as possible. Filing a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturer of this harmful herbicide can provide you with the resources you need to cover medical expenses and other damages that have resulted from the use of paraquat.
Filing a claim is an arduous process, and it’s difficult to know where to start. These steps will provide the roadmap you need to kickstart your journey to healing.
Step One: Seek Medical Attention
You need to prioritize your health before any legal proceedings. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician, or contact a specialist to assess the effects of Paraquat poisoning. Seeking medical attention will increase your chances of receiving the best treatment plans for your budget and lifestyle.
You also need your diagnosis on record. When legal action is taken, evidence will need to be presented. It’s good to have the illness on file, notarized by your doctor.
Paraquat increases Parkinson’s disease risk. It’s a difficult condition to diagnose. This makes gathering evidence important in personal injury lawsuits. You will need to compile information from your medical records, including diagnosis and treatment plans (if any). Other forms of evidence that may support your case include witness testimonies or videos documenting the exposure event.
Do your own research as well. Your doctor can gather copious amounts of information and evidence, but nothing compares to your personal testimony. Sharing the hardship you’ve endured will help your case. It’s good to be informed. Knowing your diagnosis will help you communicate your experience.
Add the medical bills you’ve incurred into your claim. This includes doctor’s appointments, medications, therapies, and other trials and treatments. You can seek additional compensation for these costs.
Step Two: Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer
Hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you during the litigation. They’re trained in these specific types of legal proceedings and they can help you receive the settlement that you deserve.
Your attorney will do most of the work for you: filing the claim, presenting the evidence, and negotiating the amount of the settlement. It’s your job to provide him with as much information as possible.
Settling personal injury claims on your own is an option, but you run the risk of being under-compensated or cheated out of your settlement due to technicalities or dissuasion. There are aspects of litigation that you’re unaware of; and being uninformed can be detrimental to your case.
If you do decide to proceed with the claim on your own, contact a lawyer for any questions you may have about the process. At the very least, they can offer some insight into your situation.
Step Three: Filing A Claim
Once you’ve gathered your information and decided on representation, it’s time to file your claim. This begins with drafting a complaint, which is essentially a document that states the facts of your case and why you believe the defendant is responsible. This document will be filed with the court and served on the defendant, who then has an opportunity to respond.
From there, it may go to trial or be resolved through negotiation. Settling a claim with the responsible party is the simplest, and least stressful method of consensus. Taking your case to court can be expensive and time consuming. Most organizations avoid it if possible, so they may offer to settle outside of the courtroom in order to save money on legal fees and other costs associated with a trial.
If they refuse to settle, and your case goes to trial, your representation will present evidence to support your case. The responsible party will be given a chance to provide any counter-evidence to absolve themselves. Ultimately, the judge or jury will determine whether your Parkinson’s disease or other medical hardships was caused by direct exposure to the paraquat chemical. If the court rules in your favor, the presiding judge will review your medical bills, legal fees, and other factors to determine how much you’re owed.
Filing a personal injury claim is a difficult and emotionally taxing decision. The process can be expensive and time-consuming. Not knowing where to start insights a sense of overwhelm and lack of direction. Following these steps will help you weigh your options and decide what’s best for you and your family.
If you or someone you love has been exposed to paraquat and now suffers from medical hardships like Parkinson’s disease, filing a lawsuit may be the best way to get your life back. It can also help prevent others from suffering as well.
