FRESNO, Calif. (AP) -- A Central California farmworker whose arm was mangled in a watermelon harvesting machine is getting a $1 million settlement.

A watermelon was stuck in the machine in September 2009 when 57-year-old Robert Ramirez Lopez tried to dislodge it and his left arm was crushed.

Lopez was working for farm labor contractor VMJ Professional Services at a facility owned by Double D Farms northeast of Coalinga.

The Fresno Bee (http://bit.ly/11kkIy2 ) says the case went before a mediator and it was settled two weeks before the start of trial. Three companies are contributing to the settlement.

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Information from: The Fresno Bee, http://www.fresnobee.com

Copyright 2013 The AP.