BNSF Railway Faces Trial Over Asbestos-Related Deaths in Montana
In a landmark trial in federal civil court, BNSF Railway is facing allegations of negligence in the lung cancer deaths of two former residents of Libby, Montana, a town contaminated with asbestos. The railroad giant, owned by Warren Buffett, is arguing that its corporate predecessors were unaware of the hazardous asbestos fibers present in the vermiculite they transported from a nearby mine over several decades.
The case, the first of many lawsuits against BNSF over its operations in Libby, has brought to light the devastating impact of asbestos exposure on the town’s residents. W.R. Grace & Co., the company that operated the vermiculite mine, has also been implicated in the tragedy and has paid significant settlements to victims.
While BNSF claims it was unaware of the dangers of asbestos, former railroad workers have testified that they were kept in the dark about the risks. The estates of the deceased plaintiffs argue that BNSF should have known about the dangers, pointing to warning labels on rail cars carrying vermiculite and conferences attended by company executives discussing dust diseases like asbestosis.
The trial has shed light on the long-lasting effects of asbestos exposure, with health officials warning that people previously exposed are likely to continue getting sick and dying for years to come. Family members of the deceased have shared heartbreaking testimonies, underscoring the devastating impact of the contamination on their loved ones.
As the trial unfolds, the residents of Libby are seeking justice and accountability for the lives lost due to asbestos exposure, highlighting the urgent need for companies to prioritize public health and safety in their operations.