Section 12997.5 - Reimbursement of medical costs(a) In addition to any penalties paid in connection with an enforcement action taken pursuant to Sections 12996, 12997, 12999, and 12999.5, any person who is found in violation of any provision of this division related to pesticides or any regulation related to pesticides adopted pursuant to this division that results in illness or injury requiring emergency medical transport or immediate medical treatment of any individual in a nonoccupational setting from any pesticide used in the production of an agricultural commodity, shall be liable to the individual harmed or to the medical provider for the immediate costs of uncompensated medical care from acute injuries and illnesses of the exposed individual.(b) Any order issued in connection with a finding of a violation as described in subdivision (a) shall include the obligation to reimburse medical costs from acute illnesses and injuries of any individual requiring immediate medical treatment as a consequence of this violation to the injured individuals or their medical providers.(c) Any person found in violation of this section shall submit to the director within 30 days of the final determination of liability, a written plan on how they will pay individuals and medical providers for the emergency medical transport and the immediate medical costs from acute medical injuries and illnesses of all individuals requiring immediate medical treatment as a consequence of the violation. A person alleged to have violated subdivision (a) may voluntarily submit a written plan pursuant to this section prior to the determination of liability. The contents of the voluntary plan shall not be held against the person in any action to determine whether the person violated those provisions.(d) Any violation of this section shall be subject to the criminal and civil sanctions and penalties set forth in this division.(e) Payment of emergency medical costs pursuant to this section shall not preclude an affected person from filing a civil action for injuries, illnesses, or costs related to the incident. Any damage award associated with a civil action related to the incident shall be reduced by the amount the plaintiff received from this section.(f) Payment of emergency medical costs pursuant to this section shall not be held against the person in any action to determine whether the person violated those provisions.(g) For any person who provides for the immediate reimbursement of medical costs for acute medical illnesses and injuries prior to a final determination by the department, the director or agricultural commissioner may reduce, by not more than 50 percent, the fines imposed pursuant to Section 12996.5. This reduction shall not limit the responsible party's financial obligation under this section. The department or agricultural commissioner shall attempt to complete the determination within 45 days of the incident.Ca. Food and Agric. Code § 12997.5
Added by Stats 2004 ch 913 (SB 391),s 2, eff. 1/1/2005.