mesowatch
$8M Verdict Against Railway for Mesothelioma Deaths
Section divider

$8M Verdict Against Railway That Spilled Asbestos Material Upheld

asbestos mining libby montana

A federal court upheld an $8 million verdict Thursday against BNSF Railway over the deaths of two former residents of Libby, Montana, where asbestos-containing mining material was spilled in a rail yard.

The U.S. District Court for Montana ruled that “no evidence or argument” supports BNSF’s request for a new trial. 

In April, a federal jury awarded $4 million each in compensatory damages to the families of two Libby residents, Thomas E. Wells and Joyce Walder, who lived near the rail yard decades ago when BNSF was still transporting asbestos-laced vermiculite from the Grace & Co.-operated mine near the town. Wells and Walder died in 2020 of mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure.  

The jury determined that BNSF did not act intentionally or with malice, so no punitive damages were awarded to the families.

Wells and Walder are among hundreds of Libby residents who died from asbestos-related diseases. They are the first to be awarded damages from BNSF. 

The company filed a motion for a new trial, claiming the court erred in how it determined BNSF’s handling of asbestos amounted to an abnormally dangerous activity.  

However, U.S. District Judge Brian Morris stated in his ruling that the railway did not have the grounds to present that argument because it failed to show the verdict was contrary to the clear weight of the evidence or based upon false or perjurious evidence. BNSF also was not able to demonstrate that the verdict was a miscarriage of justice, according to Morris.

How Libby Became an Asbestos Disaster Area

Grace & Co., a Texas-based chemical company, owned the Libby mine from 1963 until it closed it in 1990. The vermiculite from the mine was transported all over the country to be used for residential and commercial insulation. Vermiculite asbestos insulation was popular from the mid-to late-1900s because of its heat-resistant properties. 

In 1999, the Environmental Protection Agency began investigating due to reports of mine employees in the town and their family members becoming ill or dying.

But miners and their loved ones weren’t the only victims. Libby residents say vermiculite was stored in the rail yard and dust from the site used to blow through downtown. Tainted vermiculite was used to build the high school track. Some families even added the material to their gardens as a soil supplement, not realizing it was potentially lethal for humans. 

Grace & Co. filed for bankruptcy in 2001 and paid $1.8 million to settle future asbestos claims against it. 

In 2009, the EPA declared Libby the first public emergency site under the Superfund hazardous materials cleanup program. However, due to the long latency period for mesothelioma, residents continue to be diagnosed with the disease decades after being exposed to asbestos. 

Mary Pieper

Reading Time: 1 mins

Published On: July 15, 2024

Mary Pieper - author

Mary Pieper is a seasoned journalist, focusing on asbestos awareness and legal and medical issues. She earned her Bachelor's in English with a minor in Journalism from the University of Northern Iowa. Mary's extensive experience includes nearly 20 years as a reporter at the Globe Gazette in Mason City, Iowa, demonstrating her commitment to impactful journalism.

More to Read

Section Divider

John Edwards - October 27, 2024

Arizona Veterans: The Persistent Danger of Asbestos Exposure

Mini Divider

News & Data

News & Data Divider
Mini Divider
Mesowatch Logo

Mesowatch serves as an industry watchdog and advocates for patients and families affected by asbestos by providing reliable and up-to-date news stories and information on asbestos and mesothelioma.

NAVIGATE

About UsEditorial GuidelinesNewsSupport and ResourcesPrivacy Policy

CONTACT US

Email: support@mesowatch.com

Phone: (866) 402-1000

Address: 3260 N Hayden Rd, Suite 210, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Copyright © 2024 by Mesowatch. All Rights Reserved.
At Mesowatch, we strive to provide helpful information for your journey. Please remember that the content on our website is for informational purposes only and is protected by copyright law. It is not a substitute for professional medical or legal advice. We encourage you to consult qualified professionals for any health or legal concerns. Disclaimer