Daniel R. - $10,500,000.00
Imprelis
Imprelis Highlights
- DuPont™ Imprelis® herbicide is readily absorbed by plant leaves and roots.
- In early June, a number of reports on tree damage on areas treated with Imprelis began to come in.
- Substantial tree damage has been reported in areas Imprelis has been applied on or near.
About Imprelis
Imprelis is the brand name of a herbicide sold to control broadleaf weeds by DuPont Professional Products, a division of DuPont De Nemours & Company. Approved by the EPA in August 2010, Imprelis is part of a new chemical subclass called pyrimidine carboxylic acid. Applied at very low rates of active ingredient, Imprelis is low in toxicity to mammals and claims a low environmental impact. This spring many landscapers and professional gardeners began using Imprelis to guard against hard to control weeds such as dandelions, ground ivy, violets, and henbit.
Imprelis does not need to remain on the weed leaves for a long period of time and can survive rain shortly after application. Originally considered a great advantage the drift or runoff can make contact with desirable plants resulting in substantial damage. Negative effects can range from a home owners loss of garden plants to the costly death of several mature trees throughout whole subdivisions. While most of the attention has gone to damaged White Pine and Norway Spruce many other varieties of plants and trees appear to be affected. Victims have mentioned dead or dying White Dogwood, Forsynthia, Viburnum, Maples, Crab trees, Shrubs and Garden plants.
If you have property on which Imprelis was applied or property onto which Imprelis migrated, you may be entitled to a cash settlement. Please complete the form and one of our attorneys will contact you, or call 1-800-LAW-FIRM now.
Many have complained they received very little individual support or information from their DuPont Reps. The company has released a statement warning to limit the use of Imprelis until further "understanding" can be achieved. However, most landscapers have completely stopped applications and homeowners suspecting Imprelis is used on or near their property have asked the treatments be stopped.
DuPont claims Imprelis is part of a “new generation of chemistry with unique properties at both the molecular and whole plant levels that translate into more powerful herbicidal activity.” However, their lack of testing or oversight concerning this product is unfair to the property owner now watching the slow death of large mature trees and landscapers with many unhappy customers. It will take years for replacements to achieve the same look and function of the existing tree.
Anyone with trees or plants exposed to Imprelis needs to take soil and foliage samples that can be analyzed later to show the presence of Imprelis. Detailed photographs of the dead or damaged trees should be taken as well.
Side Effects & Symptoms
- Cupping of leaves
- Brown new growth
- New leaves may appear irregular in size and shape
- Bending and twisting of stems, needles, shoots and tips of branches
Warnings & Recalls
Dupont has issued the following warning:
"As a precaution, until we can more fully understand the circumstances, and whether Imprelis may have contributed to the observed symptoms, do not apply Imprelis where Norway Spruce or White Pine are present on, or in close proximity to, the property to be treated. Additionally, when applying Imprelis, be careful that no spray treatment, drift or runoff occurs that could make contact with trees, shrubs and other desirable plants, and stay well away from exposed roots and the rootzone of trees and shrubs. Consult a certified arborist if you are uncertain about the root zone of specific tree species."
Cases, Settlements, & Verdicts
A Pennsylvania homeowner and an Indiana golf course company filed a nationwide class action lawsuit against E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company on July 18, 2011. They charged that DuPont’s herbicide Imprelis is causing widespread death among trees and other non-targeted vegetation across the country. They charge that DuPont failed to disclose the risks Imprelis poses to trees, even when applied as directed, and failed to provide instructions for the safe application of Imprelis.
The proposed class consists of all persons and entities whose property was exposed to Imprelis between October 4, 2010 and the date of trial, in particular, those who own:
(a) property on which Imprelis was applied;
(b) trees or other vegetation whose roots extend under property on which Imprelis was applied or;
(c) property onto which Imprelis migrated. The relief plaintiffs seek for themselves and the proposed class includes compensation for the cost of replacing trees that have died or are dying and an injunction barring DuPont from continuing to sell Imprelis.
If you or a neighbor have used a landscaping company and have noticed adverse effects, then you may be another victim of this poorly tested herbicide. The attorneys at 1800lawfirm recommend that you collect samples of the damaged plants and take photos of the areas where your property was affected. Contact us today to get compensation for your damaged property.
