Parents of child born without limbs settle with tomato grower

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2008/mar ... omato-gro/

By KATY BISHOP (Contact)
8:48 p.m., Monday, March 24, 2008

A farmworker couple whose baby was born without limbs after the mother worked in Ag-Mart Produce Inc.’s tomato fields in Immokalee and North Carolina has settled their lawsuit against the company.

Francisca Herrera and Abraham Candelario sued Plant City-based tomato grower Ag-Mart Produce Inc. in February 2006, saying the company’s poor pesticide practices caused the severe birth defects in their son, Carlos Herrera-Candelario, known as Carlitos. The suit was filed in Hillsborough County Circuit Court and sought damages from Ag-Mart, which grows grape and heirloom tomatoes in Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey and Mexico.

Harry Costello, an outside spokesman who represents Ag-Mart, said Monday the company had not decided whether to comment on the confidential agreement.

“I am as gratified about this case as any I’ve ever handled. This child has tremendous needs and needed somebody willing to speak on his behalf,â€