Although the federal trial against W.R. Grace & Co. wrapped up months ago, over 750 plaintiffs still have outstanding claims with the company over Libby-related asbestos issues. Both miners for W.R. Grace as well as many who had no direct contact with the mine are facing asbestos-related illnesses.

Asbestos exposure has been repeatedly linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer of the lungs or abdomen. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, but there is no known cure for this cancer. Mesothelioma can take up to fifty years to surface.

These 750+ outstanding claims were put on hold back in 2001, when W.R. Grace & Co. filed for bankruptcy. According to local attorney Jon Heberling, Libby’s asbestos-related ailments are more deadly than many other life-threatening environmental concerns on the planet. According to Dr. Alan Whitehouse, a retired Spokane pulmonary specialist, Libby residents who are exposed to asbestos dust face a 59 percent probability of death after being diagnosed.

“No other place on the planet has that,” Heberling explained.

Thousands of Libby-area residents have fallen ill, and Heberling says that over 300 people have died from asbestos-related illnesses. The Grace bankruptcy hearings are expected to wrap up in January, and Heberling told reporters that by the fall of 2010, the appeals process might begin. To date, Grace has never admitted any wrongdoing related to asbestos contamination in Libby.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.