Seven lawsuits filed against Murphy-Brown

Wednesday, August 27, 2014 | Farm Nuisances injuries or diseases | Author: | Original Article

Seven lawsuits filed against Murphy-Brown LLC in U.S. District Court Thursday allege the Smithfield Foods Inc. subsidiary failed to take steps to reduce nuisance and injury caused by its farms in Sampson and five surrounding counties.

The suits, brought by Wallace & Graham P.A. of Salisbury, N.C. on behalf of 146 plaintiffs, maintain that Murphy-Brown did not take adequate steps to eliminate the “obnoxious recurrent odors and other causes of nuisance” caused as a result of millions of gallons of manure that come from the hogs.

“The plaintiffs have suffered injury and harm as a direct result of the tens of thousands of swine placed near their homes by Murphy-Brown,” the suit alleges.

The hogs have caused “periodic swarms of flies, other insects and other pests” and trucks transporting the hogs are disruptive and pollutant, impairing plaintiffs’ use and enjoyment of their properties, according to the filed court documents.

“Plaintiffs have suffered episodes of noxious and sickening odor, onslaughts of flies and pests, nausea, burning and watery eyes, stress, anger, worry, loss of property value, loss of use and enjoyment of their property, inability to comfortably engage in outdoor activities, cookouts, gardening, lawn chores, drifting of odorous mist and spray onto their land, inability to keep windows and doors open, difficulty breathing and numerous other harms,” the filed complaint notes.

The odor and nuisance has caused embarrassment and humiliation for the plaintiffs.

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