Paraquat: Taking A Closer Look At Oxidative Stress And The Relation To Parkinson’s Disease
September 17, 2024
Since the Paraquat lawsuits began in 2021, the amount of research and data demonstrating the link between Paraquat use and the number of Parkinson’s disease diagnoses is undeniable. Recently, a man in Washington filed a paraquat lawsuit for his toxic exposure to the herbicide. The plaintiff’s assertion focused on the effects of prolonged exposure by releasing toxins known as oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress occurs when there is an increased level of “free radicals” in the body. This is concerning because the brain is especially susceptible to free radical damage since it does not rely on many antioxidant defenses but is dependent on oxygen consumption for proper function. Free radicals can be neutralized by antioxidants, but if left uncontrolled, this oxidative stress can lead to severe health problems. As a result, such brain damage leads to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Based on the continuing research and studies, experts are uncovering the impact of Paraquat-induced oxidative stress over extended periods of time. This is especially dangerous for exposed individuals because the toxic herbicide further inhibits the flow of antioxidants and speeds up DNA cell damage.
Even with the overwhelming amount of data that highlights the seemingly obvious link between Paraquat and its ban in over 60 countries, the sale of Paraquat still remains readily available in the state of California.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to evaluate and reassess both the risks and benefits of Paraquat as its preliminary analysis grossly understands the harms caused by the herbicide.
The public, farmworkers, and agricultural communities deserve the long-overdue protections, and they hope that the January 2025 EPA decision will completely ban Paraquat.
Source: Earth Justice
Injured in a Car Crash? What Charleston, WV Drivers Need to Know About Getting Compensation
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charles “Rusty” Webb, founder of The Webb Law Centre, announced today that his firm is expanding its nationwide review of kratom-related injury and wrongful death cases following an NBC Nightly News report on a beverage containing kratom and kava root. The August 2025 NBC segment highlighted growing social media warnings about the herbal supplement “Feel Free,” which contains kava root — touted for its relaxing effects — and kratom, a plant native to Southeast Asia known for its stimulant and opioid-like effects. “Kratom is still being marketed in ways that obscure its risks,” Webb said. “The NBC investigation underscores what the FDA’s been warning about — there are serious safety concerns without proper education, and people need to understand their legal options if they’ve been harmed.” The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued multiple warnings about kratom’s potential to cause addiction, liver damage, and death. Webb’s firm is currently reviewing cases involving: Fatal overdoses linked to kratom use Severe addiction requiring medical treatment Organ failure or other life-threatening complications Health care professionals or whistleblowers with relevant information With more than 30 years of legal experience in high-stakes toxic tort and product liability claims, Webb was one of the first attorneys to formally launch a coordinated litigation strategy targeting kratom manufacturers and distributors earlier this year. “The parallels to early opioid litigation are striking,” Webb said. “These cases can protect consumers and prevent another public health crisis.” About Rusty Webb Rusty Webb is the founder of The Webb Law Centre in Charleston, West Virginia. He has served in the West Virginia House of Delegates and has represented individuals and communities in precedent-setting complex tort, environmental, and public interest litigation. Media Contact: Webb Law Centre PLLC 714 Venture Drive Charleston, WV 25309 www.webblawcentre.com
Charles R. “Rusty” Webb, founder of The Webb Law Centre, PLLC, has been nominated to Attorney and Practice Magazine’s 2025 “Top 10 Personal Injury Law Attorney — Raising the Bar” directory for West Virginia.
Charles R. “Rusty” Webb, founder of The Webb Law Centre, PLLC, has been nominated to The American Association of Attorneys Advocates™ (AAAA) 2025 Dedication to Outstanding Advocacy Top 10 Personal Injury Law Attorney directory for West Virginia.
Charles R. “Rusty” Webb, founder of The Webb Law Centre, PLLC, has been selected for Membership in Lawyers of Distinction for 2025, recognizing professional achievement and peer recognition in the practice of law.
Charles R. “Rusty” Webb, founder of The Webb Law Centre, PLLC, has been selected to join the nation’s top trial lawyers as a member of the Distinguished Justice Advocates (DJA) Charter—an honor extended to fewer than 1% of attorneys nationwide.
Charleston, West Virginia Attorney Best of 2025 by Business Rate
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charles “Rusty” Webb, founder of the Webb Law Centre, is stepping into the national spotlight as one of the first attorneys to formally launch a litigation strategy focused on kratom—a controversial botanical compound tied to addiction, organ damage, and fatal overdoses. As kratom continues to be sold widely in gas stations and online, the FDA has stepped up its scrutiny, issuing multiple public health warnings and cracking down on manufacturers for deceptive marketing and unapproved claims. With mounting injuries and fatalities, Webb believes kratom may become the next mass tort litigation wave—comparable to early opioid lawsuits. “Kratom is marketed as ‘natural’ and ‘safe,’ but many of the same red flags we saw in opioid cases are here again,” said Webb. “It’s time to hold these companies accountable.” National Legal Review Underway The Webb Law Centre is now reviewing kratom-related injury cases nationwide. The firm is accepting inquiries from: Families impacted by fatal overdoses involving kratom Individuals experiencing severe addiction or organ failure Healthcare professionals and whistleblowers Attorneys seeking co-counsel relationships on emerging kratom litigation With more than 30 years of legal experience and a background in high-stakes toxic tort and product liability claims, Rusty Webb is well-positioned to lead this emerging legal front. “We’ve seen firsthand what happens when dangerous products are allowed to spread unchecked,” Webb said. “We won’t let history repeat itself.” About Rusty Webb Rusty Webb is a nationally recognized trial lawyer based in Charleston, West Virginia. He has served in the West Virginia House of Delegates and has litigated precedent-setting injury cases throughout the region. Webb is known for his work in complex torts, environmental cases, and public interest litigation. Media Contact Webb Law Centre 714 Venture Drive, Charleston, WV 25309 www.webblawcentre.com
As kratom gains national attention for its potential health risks and legal scrutiny, individuals harmed by this herbal supplement are starting to ask the critical question: "Do I have a case?" Attorney Charles "Rusty" Webb of The Webb Law Centre in Charleston, West Virginia is one of the few lawyers in the country focused on kratom litigation. Here's what you need to know if you're considering filing a lawsuit against a kratom manufacturer or distributor. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Kratom is legal in many states but unregulated, leading to major risks for consumers. Lawsuits are emerging over injuries tied to kratom addiction, overdose, and death. The Webb Law Centre is currently reviewing cases involving wrongful death, liver failure, addiction, and adulterated kratom products. If your injury is tied to a known brand-such as Feel Free tonic-you may have a strong case. Kratom cases are NOT class action-they are mass torts, meaning your injuries must be evaluated individually. THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved kratom for any medical use, and multiple states are now considering bans or regulations. Some manufacturers market kratom as a dietary supplement, sidestepping regulation-despite its well-documented links to addiction, hallucination, seizures, liver damage, and even death. "These are serious cases, and people deserve the truth about what they're putting into their bodies," says Rusty Webb. "Families are grieving, and they're shocked that something so dangerous is being sold openly in gas stations and online." WHAT MAKES A KRATOM CASE STRONG? Each case is fact-specific, but common threads among strong cases include: Use of a known kratom product linked to harm Documented medical diagnosis or treatment Sudden or escalating addiction symptoms Liver failure, overdose, or death Underage access or deceptive marketing THE WEBB LAW CENTRE APPROACH Unlike large national firms chasing volume, The Webb Law Centre takes a personal, investigative approach to each case. They work with toxicologists, addiction specialists, and medical experts to build litigation-readyclaims. "We don't just take your case-we build it," says Webb.
Kratom—a herbal supplement derived from the Mitragyna speciosa plant—has gained popularity in gas stations, head shops, and online marketplaces across the U.S. But behind its claims of pain relief and mood enhancement, there is a growing wave of lawsuits and questions. Can you sue a kratom manufacturer if you or a loved one has been harmed? Attorney Charles "Rusty" Webb of The Webb Law Centre offers clear guidance for families seeking justice. What Makes Kratom Legally Actionable? According to Webb, kratom's legal exposure centers around two critical areas: Failure to Warn: "Many manufacturers fail to provide adequate warnings about kratom's addictive properties or its interaction with other medications," Webb explains. "That alone may create liability.” Product Contamination or Mislabeling: Some products have been found to contain dangerously high levels of mitragynine, synthetic additives, or contaminants. "When a product is mislabeled or tainted, that crosses the line into negligence," says Webb. The Legal Grounds for Filing a Kratom Lawsuit To successfully bring a case, plaintiffs generally must prove: The kratom product was defective, mislabeled, or lacked adequate warnings. The manufacturer or distributor was negligent. The product directly caused injury, addiction, or death. "It’s not enough that someone used kratom," says Webb. "We must establish a clear line between the product and the harm.” Who Can File a Lawsuit? Cases may be brought by: Individuals who became addicted or suffered organ failure, stroke, or other health complications after using kratom. Family members of individuals who died following kratom ingestion. Parents of teens or young adults who purchased kratom in gas stations without clear warnings. Why These Cases Are Growing As more states begin regulating or banning kratom, and as the FDA continues to issue warnings, awareness is building. "We’re seeing patterns across multiple states, especially where kratom is sold over the counter with little to no oversight," Webb says. "This is beginning to mirror early opioid litigation.” The Role of the Webb Law Centre Based in Charleston, West Virginia, The Webb Law Centre is one of the first firms in the region to actively investigate kratom-related claims. "We take these cases personally," Webb notes. "Many of our clients come to us after losing a son, daughter, or spouse. They’re not just looking for compensation—they want accountability.”