Cheminova Inc.

In 1999, 90% of the lobsters in Long Island Sound died. Fairfield County Lobstermen filed a class action lawsuit against the pesticide company for allegedly harming their livelihood and killing thousands of lobsters. The principal complaint of the lawsuit charged that Cheminova improperly labeled 4,500 gallons of malathion that was sprayed to kill mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus predominantly near waterfront areas of New York from Westchester to Suffolk counties. Cheminova allegedly failed to put language on the label required by the Environmental Protection Agency that noted 'not apply this product around water bodies where shellfish are commercially harvested.' Long Island's Eastern District of New York court has awarded the lobstermen a preliminary $12.5 million class action settlement. (Apr-19-06) [ STANFORD ADVOCATE ]