BELLEVILLE – A Sparta couple allege they and their farmland were exposed to toxic chemicals when Gateway FS allegedly improperly sprayed herbicide near their farm.
Plaintiffs William and Mary Rabe filed a lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against defendants Keith Hamilton, Gateway FS, Inc., Bayer Corporation a/k/a Bayer USA, Monsanto Company and Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, citing negligence and carelessness.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiffs owned a property in Sparta, on which they farmed and raised animals. Their property neighbored the defendants' property. The plaintiffs allege that on May 8, 2021, Gateway FS, through its employee Keith Hamilton, improperly and without warning sprayed chemicals on its farmland. The Rabes claim the toxic chemicals, including Roundup Powermax and Acuron, then blew onto their property, exposing their animals and farmland to the toxins.
Bayer USA and Monsanto Company are the manufacturers of Roundup Powermax. Syngenta Crop Protection is the manufacturer of Acuron. The plaintiffs claim the companies failed to supply a product that was safe to use and failed to include proper instructions for the use of the chemical.
The plaintiffs claim they have suffered injuries from being exposed to the toxic chemicals, causing them to incur medical costs. They claim they will require medical care to recover from their injuries. They add that their injuries have caused them pain and anguish and will impact their ability to enjoy normal daily activities and earn income.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for their injuries, veterinarian bills, and damage to their farmland for an amount in excess of $50,000, plus interest, court costs and any other relief the court deems proper. They are represented in this case by the attorneys of Wendler Law, P.C. in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LA0656