Syngenta AG is facing at least 20 class actions on behalf of corn farmers who lost money because Viptera, a genetically modified (GMO) corn seed, contaminated much of the nation’s supply and ruined export values to China.
Need a Texas GMO Corn Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you are a corn farmer or exporter who had financial losses due to Syngenta Viptera, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit in Texas.
UPDATE: $218 Million Awarded to Kansas Corn Farmers
June 2017 — A federal jury in Kansas has awarded $218 million to over 7,000 corn farmers and exporters who lost money after Syngenta AG released the genetically-modified (GMO) corn seed called “Viptera MIR162” before it was approved in China. Click here to read more.
GMO Corn Lawsuits
The Swiss agribusiness Syngenta AG began marketing Agrisure Viptera in 2009. The GMO corn seed was initially planted on only 3% of American corn acres, but it rapidly cross-pollinated and contaminated much of the nation’s corn.
China, the third-largest customer for American corn, refused to allow imports of about 1.45 million metric tons of tainted seed. As a result, prices for American corn plummeted and farmers lost billions. China did not approve imports until December 2014.
Lawsuits claim Syngenta knew about the risk, but chose to gamble with the livelihood of farmers. They are also accused of misleading farmers about the imminent approval of Viptera in China.
20 States Join Syngenta GMO Corn Class Action
December 18, 2014 — Law360 reports that 20 states have joined class actions in Kansas and Missouri against Syngenta AG for economic losses caused by GMO corn seed.
The class actions claim Syngenta was aware of the catastrophic financial harm their actions could bring to American corn growers and exporters, but sold the seed anyway.
The states include Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
GMO Corn Lawsuits Centralized in Multi-District Litigation (MDL)
In December 2014, federal judges centralized about 150 lawsuits involving Syngenta GMO corn into a Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2591) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, overseen by Judge John W. Lungstrum. The MDL process is like a class action, but there are important differences. For example, individual lawsuits remain independent and each case can have its own outcome.
What is the problem?
The Clark Firm, LLP is nationally recognized as a class action law firm. However, our attorneys are not filing a class action lawsuit against Syngenta AG. Instead, we are filing individual lawsuits on behalf of American corn farmers and exporters who had financial losses as a result of Syngenta’s marketing of GMO corn.
About Class Actions
Class actions are ideal when a large number of people have a relatively minor injury — for example, purchasing a product based on false advertisements. However, for people who have suffered catastrophic economic losses, it makes sense to hire an attorney who is committed to maximizing each individual’s recovery.
Why Our Law Firm is Filing Individual Lawsuits as Opposed to a Class Action
Members of class actions are often forced into accepting higher attorneys’ fees or a “low-ball settlement,” often without ever seeing their case taken to trial. Even if compensation is awarded, it is typically split among everyone in the class action.
Our attorneys typically work on contingency-fee, which means we invest our time and money in your legal representation. We never ask for up-front or out-of-pocket fees; instead, we only get paid when we win your case. Contact us today for more information.
Need a GMO Corn Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas GMO corn lawyers for a free lawsuit review.