Agricultural workers in New Mexico are now entitled to worker's compensation after a ruling on Thursday by the state Supreme Court.
New Mexico was one of 16 states that didn't require worker's compensation for farm and ranch laborers. State Supreme Court justices ruled 4-1 that denying those workers such protection was unconstitutional. The decision upheld an earlier ruling by the state's Court of Appeals involving an injured chile picker and a dairy worker.
"We're thrilled," said Gail Evans, legal director for the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty. "It's been a long battle. But this is definitely a step in the right direction."
Attorneys for the agricultural industry argued requiring worker's compensation would be a financial burden on employers. Some farms and ranches in New Mexico already provide worker coverage voluntarily.