BNSF Railway argued in a Montana court that it wasn't aware of the asbestos risks associated with the vermiculite it transported, which has been linked to numerous deaths in Libby, Montana.
Matthew Brown and Amy Beth Hanson report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- BNSF's defense hinges on the claim of ignorance about the dangers of asbestos during the mid-20th century.
- The lawsuit marks the first trial addressing BNSF's liability for asbestos exposure in Libby, with implications for future cases.
- The defense stated that W.R. Grace & Co., a chemical company that operated the mine near Libby, was responsible for the safety of the vermiculite shipments, not BNSF.
Key quote:
"We're here to make a party that accepts zero responsibility accept an appropriate amount of responsibility. This is the fault of the bigwigs in the corporate office."
— Mark Lanier, plaintiffs' attorney
Why this matters:
Understanding the historical responsibilities of corporations in public health crises helps shape current policies and corporate accountability standards. Legal action holds companies responsible for their negligence, especially those that knew about the dangers of asbestos but continued its use or failed to protect workers and the public.
The US remains many steps behind other developed nations when it comes to asbestos and chemical safety across the board.
