Montana’s House of Representatives recently passed three bills aimed at reducing corporate responsibility in asbestos-related lawsuits, making it significantly harder for individuals affected by asbestos exposure to pursue justice and compensation. While proponents of the bills claim that this will help prevent excessive lawsuits against businesses, critics contend that this move protects BNSF Railway from accountability at the expense of victims. This has sparked outrage in Libby, Montana, where mesothelioma victims and their families fear they will lose their right to seek justice. If these bills become law, BNSF Railway, a company previously found responsible for asbestos-related illnesses and deaths, could be shielded from further lawsuits, stripping victims of the compensation they deserve.
Libby has experienced one of the most severe environmental and public health crises in the United States. The crisis stemmed from the W.R. Grace & Co. vermiculite mine, which contaminated the town with asbestos fibers, leading to widespread illness and deaths. Thousands of Libby residents have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other fatal diseases due to prolonged asbestos exposure. The disaster was so severe that in 2009, the federal government declared a public health emergency in Libby.
Caving under the pressure of many asbestos lawsuits against it, W.R. Grace declared bankruptcy years ago. However, other companies, like BNSF Railway, have also been found responsible for transporting asbestos-contaminated materials and not protecting workers and residents. Victims and their families have sued these corporations and received compensation, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.