Supreme Court Rules WC Carrier Liable for Miners' Asbestos Claims

The Montana Supreme Court ruled that a workers’ compensation carrier is liable for claims filed by employees who developed lung disease while working in a mine decades ago. Although the miners worked for a private company, W.R. Grace, the high court unanimously upheld a claims court ruling stating the carrier, Maryland Casualty Co., failed to notify workers of the risk posed by asbestos found within the mine, according to the Wednesday ruling. Workers said they developed lung ailments from airborne asbestos after working at a vermiculite plant in the northwest town of Libby during...