If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Move away from the treated area, upwind if you can. If a coworker is affected, help them only if you can do so without being exposed yourself.
- 2Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest tightness, seizures, fainting, confusion, heavy sweating with vomiting, or pesticide in the eyes.
- 3Rinse eyes with clean running water for a long time if they were splashed. Remove contaminated clothes and wash skin with soap and plenty of water.
- 4Find the product name or take a photo of the label from a safe distance, and bring it or the information to the clinician or responders.
- 5Tell your crew leader or supervisor right away, then report the exposure in writing and keep a copy.
- 6Write down the time, the field or property, what was being sprayed, wind conditions, whether there was a re-entry warning, and what protective gear you had.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Farmworkers, landscapers and groundskeepers can be exposed while mixing and spraying, from drift off a neighboring field, by entering a treated area too soon, or by handling treated plants and soil. Each of these is a different story, so describe exactly how the exposure happened. If you did not do the spraying yourself, say who did and when, if you know.
Ask whether warning signs or notices about treated areas were posted, and whether you were given information about the product. Your employer may have spray records that show what was applied and when. Ask for copies or note who keeps them.
A workers' compensation claim generally starts when the employer notifies its insurer. The time limits for reporting an injury and filing a claim differ from state to state. Farm and seasonal workers sometimes face extra questions about coverage, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency soon, and ask for help in your language if needed.
Keep the label photo, your report, emergency or clinic records, and notes on any symptoms that appear later. If several workers got sick, write down their names; their reports can support the same timeline.
Getting medical care
A licensed clinician can evaluate your symptoms and decide what testing or care is appropriate. Knowing the product name helps a lot, so bring the label or the information with you. Occupational medicine and primary care clinicians often follow up after exposures.
Tell the clinic that the exposure happened at work. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first for non-emergency care, so ask your employer or the adjuster.
If you are prescribed medication, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many prescriptions can be filled at a local pharmacy or delivered to your home, which can help if you live far from town.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- Pesticide drifted from a neighboring farm or was applied by an outside company, which may raise third-party questions.
- You were sent into a treated area without warning or protective gear.
- Your claim is denied because you are seasonal, a contract worker or paid by the piece.
- You have ongoing symptoms such as breathing problems, rashes or headaches.
- You are threatened with losing work or housing after reporting.
- You were told not to see a doctor or not to tell anyone.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow your clinician's instructions and go to follow-up visits even if you feel better. Write down any symptoms that come back, with the date and what you were doing at the time.
Ask whether you should avoid certain products or tasks while you recover, and share any restrictions with your employer in writing. Ask what protective gear and training will be provided before you return to spraying or entering treated areas.
Keep in touch with your employer and the claims adjuster, and keep copies of every form you sign. If something is unclear, it is reasonable to ask questions before signing.
Questions to ask
- What product was applied, and can I see the label or safety information?
- Was a warning posted for the treated area, and when was it safe to enter?
- Which clinic should I go to for follow-up?
- Doctor, what symptoms should make me come back right away?
- Am I covered even though I am a seasonal or contract worker?
- Can I get forms in my language?
- Can my prescriptions for this injury be billed to the claim and sent to my home?
- Attorney, does it matter that the spray came from someone else's field?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do after pesticide exposure on the job?
Get away from the area, rinse your skin and eyes with plenty of water and remove contaminated clothes. Call 911 for serious symptoms. Then get checked, bring the product label, and report it in writing.
Are farmworkers covered by workers' comp for pesticide exposure?
Many are, but coverage for farm and seasonal workers varies by state. Being seasonal does not by itself mean you are not covered. Ask your employer and your state's workers' compensation agency.
What if the pesticide drifted from another farm?
Write down where it came from and when. Drift from someone else's property may raise third-party questions in addition to workers' comp. People often talk with an attorney in this situation.
Why is the pesticide label important?
The label tells clinicians what chemical you were exposed to. That can help them decide what to check. Bring it or a photo of it to your visit.
Can symptoms from pesticides show up later?
Some symptoms can appear hours after exposure or come and go. Keep notes and get checked if they return. Call 911 for severe symptoms.
Can I be fired for reporting a pesticide exposure?
Employment protections vary, and this is a legal question. Being punished after reporting is a common reason people consult an attorney. Keep records of what happens.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).