Widower Files $2.5 Million Pesticide Lawsuit

By Monica Galvan

Published on May 29, 2007

Fred Kolbeck is taking action against Swanson’s Pest Management, alleging that his house was sprayed with toxic levels of pesticides by an unlicensed technician who then failed to properly ventilate the area. Kolbeck’s wife, Florence, died from cardiac arrest after entering their house and Fred Kolbeck was hospitalized for respiratory problems. Many responding paramedics at the scene also showed symptoms of chemical exposure after visiting the house.

According to an affidavit filed by an Environmental Protection Agency representative, a state Department of Agriculture investigation found Swanson’s Pest Management to be in violation of several federal laws. The state’s report has not yet been made public, but the affidavit states that the pesticide technician was not licensed to treat residential buildings, the chemicals were misused, and unacceptably high levels of two chemicals were sprayed throughout the Kolbeck’s house.

The defendants declined to comment on the case, which will be heard at the Lane County Circuit Court.

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Keyword Tags: personal injury, chemical exposure, pesticides, wrongful death

Comments

1

I have been exposed with some type pf pesticide about 2 years ago, I haven't been able to get back to work.
One morning , i woke up and smell a very heavy some type of chemical that I could not identify.
A few weeks before that day, The condo association brought a plumbing company to my Condo unit and open the wall, and leave exposed after they fixed a plumbing leak, they never came back to fix the wall opening, after 4 months, I had to fix it myself.
I have been diagnosed with problem breathing, went to the ER three times within a year, I lost fifteen pounds in a month.
I am a US veteran and I am thankful to VA Hospital were I have been diagnosed for Asthma and Allergy, I have never been like this before, and could not get back to work. I had a Bronchoscopy, that shows a small damage in my throat. I am alive today thanks to the VA, otherwise I would be dead by now. I am on medication, every day and I was told that I will have to take these medications for the rest of my life. I try to stop taking the medications, just to see how my body will react to it, this is for real I can't stay without them. I am on a low dose of steroids, that help to open up the throat when it's swollen and then I can breath and eat. I was told that if I stay on that for a long period of time another part of my body will be infected in the future, probably my eyes, nose, ear or any other part.
Is it possible to find any trace of pesticides after two years? I need help.

jean-Guy Sylvain, over 1 year ago

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