The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared its first-ever “public health emergency” on June 17, 2009.  The agency will also provide $6 million for medical care for people with asbestos-related personal injury from a mine in Montana.

The declaration relates to the towns of Libby and Troy, Montana.  For decades, workers dug for a mineral used in insulation called vermiculite.  The vermiculite was contaminated with toxic asbestos that workers carried home on their clothes.

Asbestos was found in miners who worked in mining the mineral called vermiculite.

Our firm’s San Diego personal injury lawyers know the mining and use of asbestos caused thousands of cases of personal injury or wrongful death because of the dangerous nature of asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos can cause permanent physical disabilities such as lung cancer which can lead to wrongful death if it goes unidentified.  Another condition, asbestosis, can cause shortness of breath and lead to several types of lung cancer and respiratory failure.

The Department of Health and Human Services estimate about 500 people with asbestos-related illnesses like lung cancer and asbestosis in the two towns, whose populations total about 3,900.

“For way too long, many here in Washington have turned a blind eye to the needs of the residents in Libby,” said  the Health and Human Services Secretary.  “Those days are over.”

Six weeks ago, a Montana jury acquitted chemical company W.R. Grace and three of its executives on charges saying they withheld information about the mine’s dangers.

Our personal injury attorneys in San Diego hope that companies who expose workers to asbestos will take responsibility for the personal injuries caused by asbestos exposure and not wait for the federal government to step in.  The government is already busy enough with bailing out the auto industry and insurance agencies.  Irresponsible companies should not be added to the list.

Call us now at 1-858-551-2090 or click here for a FREE consultation with an experienced San Diego personal injury attorney after you get into a car accident and find out how we can help you.  We speak English and Spanish, and we look forward to providing advice for your case.  No fee if no recovery.