Farm Workers Sue New Mexico for Workers' Compensation Coverage

Two organizations that provide services to farm workers and two injured farm workers want the New Mexico Workers' Compensation Administration to stop excluding farm and ranch workers from coverage.

HELP-New Mexico, Sin Fronteras Organizing Project and former farm workers Joe Griego of Los Lunas and Isaac Marquez of Arrey filed suit Tuesday in district court against the state and the state Workers' Compensation Administration.

New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty attorney Gail Evans says they want the law that excludes farm and ranch laborers from coverage to be found unconstitutional.

Van Cravens, spokesman for the state agency, confirmed the lawsuit was received but says he cannot comment.