Court approves settlement for NC farmworkers’ deformed son

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida court has approved a settlement between Ag-Mart Produce Inc. and a farmworker couple whose baby was born without limbs after the mother worked in the company’s North Carolina tomato fields while pregnant.

Hillsborough Circuit Judge Charlene Honeywell on Wednesday approved the confidential settlement reached last month by attorneys for the couple and the company. Ag-Mart grows
“UglyRipe” heirloom tomatoes and Santa Sweets grape tomatoes.

The couple also worked in Ag-Mart’s tomato fields in Florida. Their attorney said the settlement is “very significant” and will provide a lifetime of care for their son.

Ag-Mart did not admit any wrongdoing, but the company has stopped using a number of the pesticides alleged to have caused birth defects. The company’s attorney declined comment after
Wednesday’s hearing.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)