(Libby) Almost 25 years after federal authorities responding to news reports of deaths and illnesses descended on Libby, some asbestos victims and their family members are seeking to hold publicly accountable what they say is one of the major corporate players in the tragedy: BNSF Railway.
Hundreds of people died and more than 3,000 have been sickened from asbestos exposure in the Libby area, according to researchers and health officials. BNSF faces accusations of negligence and wrongful death for failing to control clouds of contaminated dust that used to swirl from the rail yard and settle across Libby’s neighborhoods.
The railroad, owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc., has denied responsibility in court filings.
