Although the population of Montana is relatively low, the number of Montana residents with asbestos-caused diseases is among the highest in the U.S. Asbestos mining and exporting was a way of life for thousands of individuals and families scattered throughout the state as several companies, from railroads to excavators, relied on asbestos for everyday operations.If you are among the thousands of Montana residents who have suffered as a result of environmental or occupational asbestos exposure, our asbestos attorneys may be able to help you recover a significant amount of compensation for your loss. To learn more, contact Mesothelioma Treatment Centers today.
Asbestos Exposure and Compensation for Those Affected
Nearly all the industrial sites in Montana had a hand in asbestos. One of the most notable areas of exposure is a vermiculite mine in Libby that was operated by W.R. Grace & Co from 1963 to 1990. Because much of the material was tainted with asbestos, the dangerous mineral made its way into the homes and lives of millions of Americans throughout the U.S. via several different products and applications. Workers who mined and processed asbestos materials and residents living near the mines have been put at grave risk for developing fatal illnesses, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and other forms of cancer.
Most of the companies responsible for asbestos in Montana have been exposed and held accountable for their actions, but thousands of residents and former workers in the state are still at risk for a mesothelioma diagnosis since it can take decades for mesothelioma symptoms to show up.
In addition to the mines, power plants, petroleum refineries and other plants have been responsible for wrongful exposure. Some of the companies in Montana known for asbestos exposure include:
- R. Grace & Co.
- Stimson Lumber Co.
- Anaconda
Millions of dollars have been set aside in trusts and funds by companies responsible for exposing workers and residents to the harmful effects of asbestos. Our asbestos attorneys in Montana are familiar with these funds and may be able to get you a settlement without ever filing a lawsuit. As for the cases that require a trial, our mesothelioma lawyers are fully prepared to stand up against the largest corporations and their insurance companies and will do whatever it takes to get you and your family the maximum amount of compensation owed to you by law.
Libby MT and Asbestos
The asbestos mines and processing facilities in this small Montana town are among the most notorious in the US. Residents of the town first started to pull asbestos out of mines here in 1919 when the vermculite mixed with asbestos was discovered.
Vermiculuite is known commercially as Zonolite and was used in many construction materials, such as home and business insulation for decades. Many years of mining the vermiculite left many workers and residents of the area exposed to toxic asbestos dust.
WR Grace and Company took over the mines in 1963 and they were aware that the ore was contaminated with asbestos and lead to health problems. However, they failed to warn workers and residents and the mining continued unabated for years. Because of this, hundreds of workers and residents have died from asbestos diseases and thousands more are suffering illnesses due to asbestos exposure. Still, the terrible consequences of the Libby asbestos mining industry was not well known until 1999 when the EPA began to clean up the area.
It is known today that WR Grace executives knew that the mine’s high amounts of tremolite asbestos dust was very dangerous to workers but they never warned anyone or provided safety gear.
People in the town also were tragically affected by the vermiculite ore, as Grace distributed excess vermiculite to playgrounds, gardens, backyards, roads and other areas in the town. As the asbestos was in the air in the area around the mine, it affected many residents who spent time outdoors in nearby parks.
The clean up started slowly in 1999 as workers from EPA began a major Superfund investigation. It was a huge project and EPA never saw anything as bad. Vermiculite had to be taken out of Libby businesses and homes, and the mine site had to be totally cleaned up. Many natural resources in the area had to be cleaned up as well. In 2008, Grace had to pay $250 million to cover clean up costs.
As of 2010, the EPA managed to clean up 1450 businesses and homes and take out about 900,000 cubic yards of asbestos contaminated material. Still, much more has to be done. The EPA has trained citizens to recognize asbestos because EPA knows there are still areas in the town that have yet to be properly cleaned up.
Get Help from a Mesothelioma Lawyer Montana
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with or is diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness, you can seek help from a qualified attorney by contacting Mesothelioma Treatment Centers. We work with the most experienced and skilled legal professionals and medical experts who focus primarily on this area of law and can ensure that you and your family get the compensation you need and deserve. To learn more or to schedule a free and completely confidential case evaluation, please contact us today.
