Dicamba is a powerful herbicide that has destroyed thousands of crops in the United States. Farmers that have suffered losses as a result are now suing manufacturers.
Farmers rely on herbicides and pesticides to keep their crops healthy so they can make a profit. Unfortunately, some of these products are safer than others. Today, many farmers are learning of the dangers of Dicamba, a toxic chemical used on some crops. Even when a farmer does not use Dicamba, it does not mean their crops are safe; the chemical can drift onto their crops from other crops or even other farms. Any farmer that has suffered losses due to Dicamba drift should speak to a Boca Raton product liability lawyer who can help them secure the compensation they need.
What is Dicamba?
Dicamba is an extremely potent herbicide that at one time was not allowed to be used directly on crops due to its toxicity. Dicamba has the ability to drift from one crop to the next, resulting in many other crops being destroyed by the chemicals it contains.
Dicamba has been used by many farmers in Florida and throughout the United States because the most popular herbicide in the country, Roundup, is starting to be less effective than it once was. The primary chemical in Roundup is glyphosate and studies have started to show that weeds are becoming resistant to Roundup. This has caused many farmers to turn to Dicamba to treat their weeds. Additionally, Roundup is also thought to cause lymphatic cancer, leading many farmers to find another alternative, such as Dicamba.
Dangers of Dicamba
Three manufacturers have created a formula for Dicamba, including Monsanto, BASF, and Dupont. The EPA approved these versions of Dicamba, but it was then found that the products were released without undergoing the rigorous testing that is necessary for all pesticides. Due to that, millions of acres of farms have been destroyed, and farmers have lost thousands of crops. Dicamba has also devastated many trees in orchards, parks, and even in residential neighborhoods.
Evidence has also come forward that indicates that manufacturers of Dicamba knew of the possibility of the chemical drifting over to adjoining fields and crops. Internal emails were leaked in which employees joked about the lack of science supporting the safety of the herbicide, with one showing an employee that jokingly said they hoped they did not go to jail.
Due to the fact that Dicamba is made up of very small particles, farmers may not know immediately that the chemical caused damage to their crops. The signs of Dicamba damage include crinkled and twisted leaves, roots that are above ground on certain flowers, and a downward cupping of the leaves of plants.
Were Your Crops Damaged? Our Florida Product Liability Lawyers Can Help
If you believe that your crops were damaged due to Dicamba, our Boca Raton product liability lawyers at Ged Lawyers, LLP, are here to help. We know how harmful this potent herbicide is to crops, and we want to help you recover any losses you have sustained as a result of its use. Call us today at (561) 995-1966 or contact us online to schedule a free case review and to learn more about how we can help.
