Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was injured by dicamba, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.
What’s the problem?
When sprayed, dicamba has a propensity to drift onto off-site locations, damaging other farmers’ crops. This phenomenon has been described as ‘dicamba drift.’ Farmers in at least 10 U.S. states have filed lawsuits seeking compensation for losses caused by dicamba drift.
How Much Crop Damage has Dicamba Caused?
In 2016, over 200,000 acres of crops were damaged from illegal use of unapproved, volatile formulations of dicamba, according to AgWeb.
How Do I Know if My Crops Were Damaged by Dicamba?
It can take 1 to 3 weeks for dicamba crop damage to appear. Symptoms only appear on newly emerging vegetation, and hot conditions can slow plant growth.
Can I Expect Cosmetic or Yield Damaging Effects?
Whether the injury is cosmetic or yield damaging depends on the dose and what stage the crop is in when dicamba drift occurs. Late vegetative and early reproductive stages of the soybean, peaking around R-1, are typically most sensitive.
What are ‘Over-the-Top’ Formulations?
A variety of chemical formulations have been designed to be applied over dicamba to reduce its drift effect. Monsanto’s XtendiMax uses VaporGrip technology to reduce volatility and help minimize drift. DuPont’s FeXapan also uses VaporGrip technology to reduce drift and volatility risks. BASF’s Engenia uses a new salt, BAPMA, to reduce volatility.
What is the Legal Status of Dicamba?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state registrations allow use of dicamba on dicamba-resistant soybeans throughout the end of the year. This registration is scheduled to expire on November 9, 2018.
What Does Monsanto Say?
Monsanto has defended the safety of dicamba, saying that most cases of drift have been caused by improper application and not following label requirements.
Has Dicamba Been Linked to Health Risks in Humans?
Dicamba is toxic by ingestion, inhalation and dermal exposure. Signs and symptoms of dicamba toxicity include:
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Muscle weakness
- Slowed heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Central nervous system effects (victim may become excited or depressed)
- Benzoic acid in the urine
- Cyanosis (bluing of the skin and gums)
- Exhaustion following repeated muscle spasms
Are Dicamba Injury Suits Being Filed?
Our lawyers are currently only investigating injury reports associated with Dicamba. We are not filing claims related to crop damage from Dicamba.
Do I Have a Dicamba Lawsuit?
The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP, is investigating injury reports associated with the use of Dicamba herbicide. If you or a loved one was injured, you should contact our law firm immediately.