Federal prosecutors have initiated a trial against a mining company in Libby, Montana in response to thousands of injuries and hundreds of deaths related to toxic asbestos exposure. Prosecutors began the trial in late February 2009 in a Missoula courthouse, alleging that the defendant corporation, W.R. Grace & Company released asbestos despite its knowledge of the dangers and potential health risks associated with the toxic mineral.
W.R. Grace Faces Asbestos-Related Criminal Charges
W.R. Grace operated a Libby, Montana vermiculite mine until 1990. The vermiculite, which has been used in various applications was contaminated with toxic asbestos. Prosecutors allege that W.R. Grace knew of the grave dangers associated with asbestos, but continued to operate the mine without warning employees or families living near the mine of the potential heath risks.
The company is now facing criminal charges in what has been named the most significant environmental criminal prosecution thats ever been brought, by David Uhlmann the Justice Departments former top prosecutor of environmental crimes.
Despite denial of conspiracy, the defendant corporation is facing criminal charges including:
* Conspiring to conceal and misrepresent the dangers of the asbestos-contaminated vermiculite that they were mining.
* Attempting to defraud the U.S. and others involved in the investigation against them in 1999 by impairing, impeding and frustrating the Environmental Protection Agency and other government agencies.
* Engaging in wire fraud and obstruction of justice.
W.R. Grace is facing up to $280 million in criminal fines and five of its executives are facing prison time in the asbestos suit.
Thousands of Families Affected by Asbestos Exposure
According to reports, more than 1,000 individuals have been injured and more than 200 have died as a result of the asbestos exposure in Libby. Asbestos, in its natural state, is not harmful; however, if the asbestos is broken down and disturbed (as it is in the mining process), its fiber separate and form a toxic dust that can be easily inhaled and ingested.
Once ingested, the asbestos embeds itself into the bodys vital organs and overtime, can lead to the development of fatal diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
Witnesses Include Families of Individuals Killed from Asbestos Diseases
Among the first witnesses to take the stand in the trial are those whose loved ones died as a result of an asbestos disease. According to reports, the family members who presented their arguments stated they were never warned about the potential asbestos side effects of. One woman even stated that, as children, they used to play with the dust and even put it in their mouths.
Other Libby residents stated they wouldnt have raised their children so close to the mine had they known of the dangers they were subjected to.
More Asbestos Diseases Will Continue to Surface
Because asbestos-caused diseases can take up to 50 years to develop, Libby residents and W.R. Grace employees have been affected without even knowing it. Thousands more individuals will potentially feel the effects of the defendants actions in the years to come.
(Source: CNN)
For more information about asbestos exposure or the criminal allegations against W.R. Grace and Company, please contact the Mesothelioma Treatment Center today. We will connect you with an experienced asbestos attorney who is familiar with the dangers of asbestos.
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