Weitz & Luxenberg is investigating cases of injuries from the chemical DCPA, also called Dacthal. We are accepting — as clients for pesticide lawsuits — people who developed severe injuries and birth defects after being exposed to DCPA. We anticipate hearing from farming families, who were endangered while working.
This toxic chemical may cause birth defects and severe injuries to children exposed to this substance in utero. If you were pregnant and exposed to this DCPA pesticide, please reach out to us. We want to help you get compensation for the injuries caused by this dangerous herbicide.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has suspended registering the herbicide “dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).” This has the effect of essentially making the herbicide banned. (1)
DCPA Harms Infants
The EPA felt compelled to stop registrations of DCPA because “unborn babies whose pregnant mothers are exposed to DCPA, sometimes without even knowing the exposure has occurred, could experience changes to fetal thyroid hormone levels.” (2)
These injuries are typically linked to:
- Low birth weight.
- Impaired brain development.
- Decreased IQ.
- Impaired motor skills later in life that are potentially irreversible.
The danger of DCPA is so severe that the EPA used its emergency suspension authority for the first time in almost 40 years. (3)
The “EPA estimates that some pregnant individuals handling DCPA products could be subjected to exposures four to 20 times greater than what EPA has estimated is safe for unborn babies.” (4)
Our team of qualified attorneys is here to help you and your family find the justice you deserve. Learn more about the DCPA pesticide lawsuit today.
(833) 977-3437EPA Issues Emergency Order Regarding DCPA
DCPA is an approved herbicide for controlling weeds in a variety of settings, including agricultural. However, on August 6, 2024, the EPA issued “a Data Call-In (DCI) to AMVAC Chemical Corporation.” (5)
AMVAC is the manufacturer of DCPA. AMVAC has yet to adequately address the serious health risks for people who work with and around DCPA. (6)
W&L Accepting Clients Exposed to DCPA
W&L is exploring lawsuits on behalf of clients who have been harmed by DCPA. These individuals may be entitled to compensation:
- Women who are currently pregnant and were exposed to DCPA.
- Women exposed to DCPA who gave birth to a child with low birth weight, developmental defects — or both — in the last 10 years.
- Parents of children born in the last 10 years with developmental defects, who were exposed to DCPA while in utero.
Exposure to DCPA can occur if you:
- Apply DCPA.
- Live or work on a farm or facility where DCPA is applied.
- Live within one mile of a farm or facility where DCPA is applied.
Were you or a family member exposed to the Dacthal herbicide? Get help from experienced environmental attorneys today. Call Weitz & Luxenberg for a free consultation.
(833) 977-3437Crops Affected by DCPA
DCPA is generally applied to fruits and vegetables. The crops DCPA is most commonly used on include broccoli, onions, cabbage, brussels sprouts, broccoli rabe, bok choy, radishes, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, and kale.
People in these states may be more at risk from DCPA, since it was used the most in these areas:
- California (especially these counties: Monterey, Imperial, Fresno, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Ventura, San Benito, and Stanislaus).
- Washington.
- Arizona.
- Colorado.
- Wisconsin.
- Michigan (southeast area of state).
- Ohio (northwest area of state).
- Oregon (northern area of the state).
- Texas (southern area of the state).
Get Financial Compensation for Injuries
If DCPA exposure has harmed your child, our attorneys may be able to help you get:
- Compensation for all related medical bills.
- Compensation for your time seeking treatment for your child.
- Compensation for all of your family’s pain and suffering.
Families suffering from DCPA exposure are encouraged to contact Weitz & Luxenberg. We can help you file lawsuits against the manufacturer of DCPA to get the compensation and justice you deserve.
We offer you a free, no-obligation consultation regarding your legal rights. To schedule your free consultation, please call us at (855) 850-2320 or submit the form on this page.
DCPA Lawsuits
Weitz & Luxenberg has extensive experience in settling and litigating dangerous chemical exposure lawsuits. We have represented thousands of people who were significantly harmed by toxic chemicals, such as the weedkiller Roundup.
We are a nationally recognized firm with a lengthy history of litigating personal injury cases. In the past nearly four decades, we have achieved more than $19 billion in settlements and verdicts for our clients.
Contact us today to explore your legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What legal steps should I take if I suspect DCPA exposure has harmed my family?
You can sue if you or your child has been harmed after being exposed to the pesticide DCPA. Choose an experienced plaintiff’s law firm — like Weitz & Luxenberg — that handles environmental contaminants.
The EPA has ordered the immediate halt of DCPA’s use across the country. The health risks are not only severe but potentially irreversible. If you or your child was harmed, an experienced environmental pollution law firm can get you the compensation you deserve. (7)
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after being exposed to DCPA?
You typically have two to three years to file a personal injury lawsuit, depending on the state you live in. You should seek an attorney as soon as you suspect you have been harmed by exposure to the DCPA herbicide. The EPA has recognized DCPA as a threat to human health, especially unborn children. Hire an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your case.
What evidence is needed to support a claim for DCPA-related injuries?
You need documents or records of your exposure to DCPA (Dacthal) to file a claim for any DCPA-related injuries. DCPA is an herbicide used across the country. Large agricultural facilities apply DCPA to weeds and grasses. However, anyone can purchase it. If you used it in your own garden, or worked in someone else’s fields, you may have been exposed. DCPA can also leach into soil and groundwater.
The more information you can provide to an attorney about how you were exposed, the better. Nationally, DCPA is recognized as a potential threat to human health. Experienced environmental attorneys are already filing lawsuits. Contact Weitz & Luxenberg today to find out if you have a case. (8)
What are the long-term health effects of DCPA exposure?
The greatest long-term health effects of DCPA we know of right now are to fetuses of women who are pregnant. DCPA seems to affect fetal thyroid hormones. Infants may be born with low birth weight and infant brain development may also be impaired.
Children may continue to demonstrate a lowered IQ and damage to their motor skills. These birth defects may continue throughout their life. More research is being done to see if DCPA is harmful to adult farm workers and others exposed to this potentially cancer-causing pesticide. (9) (10)
What should I do if I’m unsure whether DCPA exposure caused my or my child’s health issues?
If you were exposed to DCPA and notice specific birth defects in your child, have your doctor do a thorough exam to rule out other possible causes. DCPA is linked to specific types of health issues in children. The main concern is when pregnant women are exposed. The fetus is continuing to develop.
Exposure to DCPA seems to affect the thyroid hormones in the fetus. If your child was exposed to DCPA — and is a low birth weight when born — that could be one possible sign of DCPA damage. Brain development is another concern. If your infant or young child shows signs of unhealthy development — such as a lower IQ or damage to motor skills — those may be signs of DCPA injury. (11)
If you suspect you were exposed to DCPA and your child shows signs of DCPA injury, consult with an experienced personal injury attorney about possible legal action.