When Corporate Accountability Fails: The Montana Asbestos Tragedy and What It Means for Cleburne Families

The Libby, Montana Asbestos Disaster: A Warning for Texas Communities

The small town of Libby, Montana, has been called one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. For decades, thousands of residents were exposed to deadly asbestos fibers from a nearby vermiculite mine operated by W.R. Grace & Company. The contamination was so severe that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared Libby a Superfund site in 2002—one of the largest and most complex cleanups in the agency’s history.

Now, a federal appeals court has overturned a lower court’s ruling that held BNSF Railway partially responsible for the deaths of two Libby residents. The victims, like so many others in the community, were exposed to asbestos not just from the mine itself, but from the rail cars that transported the contaminated vermiculite across the country. BNSF, one of the nation’s largest freight railroads, had been found liable for contributing to the spread of asbestos through its operations in Libby.

This ruling doesn’t just affect Montana—it sends a dangerous message to communities across America, including Cleburne, Texas, where railroads, industrial facilities, and corporate negligence pose similar risks to public health.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years holding corporations accountable when their recklessness harms innocent people. This case is a stark reminder of why aggressive legal action is often the only way to force change—and why families in Cleburne and Johnson County must stay vigilant.

Why This Ruling Matters for Cleburne, Texas

Railroads and Industrial Risks in Johnson County

Cleburne sits at the heart of Johnson County’s growing industrial and transportation corridor, with major rail lines, highways, and manufacturing facilities shaping the local economy. While Libby’s tragedy was tied to asbestos, the underlying issues—corporate negligence, regulatory failures, and the spread of hazardous materials—are universal.

1. Railroads Move Hazardous Materials Through Cleburne Every Day

BNSF Railway operates extensive freight lines through Texas, including routes that pass near residential areas, schools, and businesses in Cleburne and Johnson County. These trains transport:
– Petrochemicals (from the Gulf Coast refineries)
– Industrial waste (including hazardous materials)
– Construction materials (some of which may contain asbestos or other toxins)

If a rail company can avoid accountability for spreading asbestos in Libby, what’s to stop them from downplaying risks in Texas?

2. Cleburne’s Industrial Facilities Pose Similar Risks

Johnson County is home to manufacturing plants, warehouses, and distribution centers that handle hazardous materials. While asbestos is now heavily regulated, other toxic substances—such as benzene, silica, and heavy metals—are still used in industrial processes.

If a company cuts corners on safety, workers and nearby residents could face long-term health risks, just like the people of Libby.

3. Regulatory Failures Leave Communities Vulnerable

The Libby case highlights how government agencies and corporations often fail to protect the public. Despite decades of warnings, W.R. Grace and BNSF continued unsafe practices—and regulators did little to stop them.

In Texas, we’ve seen similar failures:
– The 2005 BP Texas City Refinery Explosion (15 workers killed, 170+ injured) – A case our firm was involved in, where corporate cost-cutting led to catastrophic safety failures.
– The 2019 ITC Deer Park Fire (chemical storage facility explosion) – A disaster that exposed gaps in emergency response and industrial oversight.
– Ongoing concerns about air quality near Houston’s Ship Channel – Where petrochemical plants release toxic emissions, affecting nearby communities.

When corporations prioritize profits over safety, it’s often left to victims and their attorneys to demand justice.

The Bigger Picture: Corporate Negligence and Public Health

How Corporations Exploit Legal Loopholes

The Libby case is just one example of how corporations use legal strategies to avoid accountability. Common tactics include:
– Claiming they “didn’t know” about dangers—even when internal documents prove otherwise.
– Arguing that other parties (like the government or other companies) are more responsible.
– Delaying lawsuits for years to drain victims’ resources and force settlements.
– Lobbying for weaker regulations to avoid future liability.

In Libby, W.R. Grace declared bankruptcy in 2001 to avoid paying billions in asbestos claims. Now, BNSF is using legal technicalities to escape responsibility—leaving victims with no recourse.

The Human Cost of Corporate Negligence

The people of Libby didn’t just lose their health—they lost loved ones, livelihoods, and their sense of security. Many families watched as parents, spouses, and children died slow, painful deaths from asbestos-related diseases.

This isn’t just a legal issue—it’s a moral failure.

And it’s not just happening in Montana.

Texas Has Its Own History of Corporate Negligence

Texas has seen its share of industrial disasters and corporate cover-ups, including:
– The 2005 BP Texas City Refinery Explosion – One of the deadliest industrial accidents in U.S. history, where BP’s cost-cutting led to 15 deaths and 170 injuries. Our firm was one of the few Texas law firms involved in the litigation against BP, securing compensation for victims.
– The 2019 ITC Deer Park Fire – A chemical storage facility explosion that released toxic smoke for days, forcing evacuations and exposing nearby residents to harmful pollutants.
– Ongoing concerns about air quality in Houston’s Ship Channel – Where petrochemical plants release carcinogens, leading to higher rates of asthma, cancer, and other illnesses in nearby communities.

These cases show that when corporations cut corners, people pay the price—often with their lives.

How Attorney911 Fights for Victims of Corporate Negligence

Our Experience in High-Stakes Litigation

For over 25 years, our firm has been fighting for victims of corporate negligence—from trucking accidents to industrial disasters. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has:
– Secured multi-million dollar verdicts against Fortune 500 companies.
– Litigated against major corporations like Walmart, Amazon, BP, and BNSF.
– Handled complex environmental and toxic exposure cases.
– Built a reputation as “The Firm Insurers Fear”—because we don’t back down from powerful defendants.

Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who knows how corporations try to avoid accountability. His insider knowledge gives us a strategic advantage in negotiations and trials.

Our Approach to Corporate Negligence Cases

When we take on a case involving corporate negligence, we:
1. Investigate Immediately – We send spoliation letters to preserve evidence before it’s destroyed.
2. Identify All Liable Parties – We don’t just sue the obvious defendants. We pursue every company, contractor, and insurer that contributed to the harm.
3. Work with Top Experts – We collaborate with medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, and environmental scientists to build an airtight case.
4. Fight for Maximum Compensation – We don’t accept lowball settlements. We prepare every case for trial to force fair compensation.
5. Hold Corporations Accountable – Our goal isn’t just to win money—it’s to force systemic change so no other family suffers the same tragedy.

Case Study: The BP Texas City Explosion

One of our most significant cases involved the 2005 BP Texas City Refinery Explosion, where 15 workers were killed and 170 injured due to BP’s cost-cutting and safety failures.

Our firm was one of the few Texas law firms involved in the litigation, helping victims secure compensation against one of the world’s largest oil companies. This case demonstrated our ability to:
– Take on multinational corporations with unlimited resources.
– Uncover internal documents proving corporate negligence.
– Secure justice for families devastated by industrial disasters.

The BP case is just one example of how Attorney911 fights for victims when corporations fail them.

The Bottom Line: Justice Requires Action

The Libby, Montana asbestos tragedy is a warning for communities across America—including Cleburne. When corporations prioritize profits over people, the consequences can be deadly.

But justice is possible.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent decades holding negligent corporations accountable—securing millions for victims and forcing systemic change. If you or a loved one has been harmed by corporate negligence, environmental exposure, or industrial hazards, we can help.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. And corporations will do everything they can to avoid responsibility.

Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) or visit https://attorney911.com.

Your fight for justice starts now.

Final Call to Action

If you or a loved one has been harmed by corporate negligence, environmental exposure, or an industrial accident, time is critical.

Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for a free consultation.

We’re available 24/7, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Don’t let corporations escape accountability. Fight back with Attorney911.