Texas Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

If the site you applied a pesticide to is damaged, who could be liable?

1. Only the property owner

2. Only you, the applicator

3. You, the dealer, the manufacturer, and the property owner

4. State authorities

The correct answer is: You, the dealer, the manufacturer, and the property owner

When applying pesticides, multiple parties can be held liable if damage occurs at the site of application. As the applicator, you are responsible for following all application guidelines and safety protocols, which means you could be held liable for any negligence. However, liability does not rest solely on you. The property owner also bears responsibility for ensuring that the application site is suitable for pesticide use and that any relevant regulations are followed. Additionally, the dealer who sold the pesticide and the manufacturer who produced it can be held liable if the product was defective or not properly labeled, leading to improper use or unnecessary damage. Therefore, in the scenario where damage has occurred, all these parties — you, the dealer, the manufacturer, and the property owner — can collectively be held liable, as each has contributed to the situation in different ways, ranging from application practices to product quality and site management. This ensures a comprehensive approach to liability, considering potential shortcomings at multiple levels.