Montana Law Week

The Weekly Digest of Montana Law

Asbestos, $8 million verdict against BNSF reversed

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ASBESTOS: BNSF is entitled to the common carrier exception to strict liability for transportation of vermiculite, $8 million verdict for 2 mesothelioma deaths due to handling of vermiculite at its Libby railyard reversed… Morris reversed. [Read more…]

Lakeshore Protection Act, bridge from high-water island

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LAKESHORE PROTECTION ACT: Permit for bridge from high-water island to lakeshore improperly granted, bridge properly ordered removed and lakeshore restored… community association had standing to challenge permit but not entitled to fees under private AG or bad faith doctrines… Allison affirmed. [Read more…]

Railroad strict liability

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RAILROAD LIABILITY: BNSF strictly liable for abnormally dangerous activity vis-à-vis hauling amphibole asbestos in Libby… evidence of Grace’s conduct admissible for background and context but not to negate liability… Eddy. [Read more…]

Lead case against Grace’s comp insurer pre-trial rulings

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LEAD CASE AGAINST GRACE’S COMP INSURER: Fact issues preclude summary judgment as to when Plaintiff knew he had ARD. . . MCC owed a duty of care to warn Zonolite and Grace of the hidden hazard of asbestos exposure, but fact issues exist as to whether it breached this duty to Plaintiff. . . Plaintiff who filed no comp claim has no common law insurance bad faith claim against MCC. . . MCC’s non-party (State, Grace) defenses precluded. . . other in limine rulings. . . Eddy. [Read more…]

$8,810,785 settlements with State

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SETTLEMENT: $7,310,785.42 to 336 MHSL Libby Mine asbestos Claimants against State with contingent $2,030,936.19 dependent on result of litigation between State and its insurer. . . $1,250,000 to 49 KS Libby Mine Claimants with contingent $400,000. . . $250,000 for individual claimant with no insurer contingency. . . 33% and 33-1/3% contingent attorney fees approved. . . Eddy. [Read more…]