Twenty-five million in settlement money from the state of Montana will go to over 1,000 victims exposed to asbestos risk, who alleged that state officials failed to warn about hazards.

According to thousand plaintiffs involved in the settlement, state health officials failed to adequately warn and inform workers about the asbestos risk linked with the mine.

Nearly 100 lawsuits were brought against the state, alleging the state failed to warn and protect residents in Libby, Montana from the prominent asbestos risk.

Libby’s W.R. Grace and Co. vermiculite mine, located just outside of town, was in use for decades, and the asbestos risk is extremely severe.

As a results, hundreds of people in the area have allegedly died diseases related to asbestos exposure, and thousands more sickened by the contaminant.

The mine was closed in 1999, and since then, the area has undergone a $600 million cleanup program to make the area safe for its residents.

The Environmental Protection Agency is involved, investigating and cleaning thousands of properties in Libby and the surrounding area. The EPA has another 700 properties left to investigate before it will be done with this project.

This kind of asbestos risk litigation with the state of Montana has been going on for quite some time. In 2011, more than 1,000 other plaintiffs reached a $43 million settlement agreement with the state over asbestos risk.

Though the mine was in operation for decades, and the asbestos risk significant during this time, many people suffering from asbestos exposure do not know they have been affected, since asbestos disease can remain latent for decades before symptoms begin to emerge. Given the latency period, some may not even connect their symptoms with the asbestos risk.

Plaintiffs involved in the settlement will receive payments in varying amounts. Some will receive $10,500, while others with the most severe cases will receive up to $60,000.

The initial deal was reached back in June, but since then, dozens more people have filed similar claims about asbestos risk and its subsequent health problems. The state has not come to a decision about these cases, and the claims are still currently in review.

According to health officials, the asbestos risk in Libby has led to nearly 400 deaths, as well as 3,000 people who have become sick from exposure.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used for commercial purposes such as electrical or building insulation, as well as countless other uses.

Asbestos’ microscopic fibers can accumulate in the lungs and cause several critical health problems, the worst of which is lung cancer. Asbestos lung cancer may take decades to develop, but can quickly spread to distant organs. Unfortunately, the lung cancer survival rate is very low.

Asbestos Risk Lawsuits

According to many asbestos exposure lawsuits, companies that allow workers to be exposed to asbestos should have been aware of the dangerous nature of their asbestos-containing materials.

Companies should also be aware of its ability to cause disease and even fatalities. There are many asbestos regulations in place to prevent these kinds of issues. Asbestos exposure reported to health regulators is taken very seriously.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with or died from an asbestos related disease such as asbestos lung cancer, you may be able to file an asbestos risk lawsuit or seek an asbestos fine.