Lawsuit to End Farm Exclusion Followed Legislative Failure

After failing to persuade the New Mexico Legislature to mandate workers' compensation coverage for farm and ranch workers, labor advocates hope a 2005 state Supreme Court decision opened a door to meet their goal through the courts.A coalition of legal-aid groups filed suit Aug. 25 on behalf of two nearly perfect symbols for their cause: A dairy worker and a field hand — both U.S. citizens — who claim they have gotten little or no assistance for medical bills or lost wages after being disabled by on-the-job injuries.If successful, the suit would force farmers and ranchers to pr...