Combination of Head Injury, Pesticide May Increase Parkinson’s Risk

When a person who has suffered a head injury comes into consistent, close contact with the chemical herbicide paraquat, he has a heightened risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

According to research conducted by scientists at the University of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, both head injury and paraquat on their own pose a significant risk of Parkinson’s disease. However, when an individual is exposed to both of these factors in combination, the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease increases dramatically. The researchers compared a group of 357 people who had Parkinson’s disease with a group of 754 people who had no symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that is characterized by stiffness of the body, uncontrollable tremors, rigidity of the arms and legs and other symptoms. It is an incurable condition. Up to 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed every year in the country.

The link between head injury and Parkinson’s disease has been evident for a while now. However, this research seems to indicate that persons who have suffered a head injury and are in close contact with the common herbicide paraquat, which is often used to eliminate weeds and grass, are at a much higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.

Head injuries are some of the most serious injuries, because these lead to a number of complications that may last for a person’s lifetime. Suffering a head injury can increase a person’s risk of depression, post traumatic stress disorder, failing vision, and a number of other debilitating conditions that can even be permanent. Head injuries have been linked to Parkinson’s disease as well as Alzheimer’s disease.

A claim for compensation for head injury therefore must include not just immediate medical expenses and hospitalization costs, but also future long-term medical care.

The maritime work environment is full of head injury hazards that can leave a worker severely disabled or incapacitated. If you are a maritime worker who has suffered head injuries in an accident on a vessel, consult with an experienced maritime lawyer at our firm.