Montana clinic appeals hefty penalty for asbestos-related false claims

A Montana asbestos clinic is contesting a $6 million judgment for allegedly submitting hundreds of false claims for patients with asbestos-related illnesses in Libby. The clinic, located in Libby, Montana, faces accusations of falsifying diagnoses, leading to the substantial judgment. BNSF Railway, which is liable for asbestos contamination, disputed the accuracy of over 2,000 diagnoses from the clinic, with 337 being confirmed as false.

The clinic contends that it adhered to federal guidelines and is now seeking to overturn the ruling in a federal appeals court. This case is significant because false claims erode trust in medical diagnoses, impacting vulnerable individuals exposed to hazardous substances like asbestos. It also underscores the ongoing legal disputes related to asbestos exposure in Libby, a town still grappling with its toxic legacy.