Montana Judge Approves $43 Million Settlement for Libby Asbestos Victims

摘要

A state court judge has approved a $43 million settlement for nearly 1,200 people sickened by asbestos linked to the W.R. Grace & Co. vermiculite mine in Libby, Mont. (Orr v. State, Montana First Judicial District Court, No. BDV-2001-423, settlement filed 9/8/11). The decision by Judge Jeffrey Sherlock of the Montana First Judicial District Court came in a negligence lawsuit brought against Montana in 2001. The cases and claimants-including miners at Grace and their family members-alleged the state knew for years that asbestos exposure in Libby was causing disease and deaths, yet officials failed to take action or warn people about the danger.