Three former employees have sued BNSF Railway, claiming they suffer from lung disease caused by job-related exposure to asbestos.
The lawsuit filed earlier this month in Portland, Ore., says the men had to work with and around items that contained asbestos while employed by the railway and its predecessor, Spokane, Portland and Seattle Railway.
According to the suit, the plaintiffs – Charles Anderson, Harold Gjerman and Gary Sachtjen – all spent at least 34 years in the industry before leaving in the first decade of the 21st Century. Each of them seeks $300,000.
BNSF has faced similar lawsuits in recent years. A company spokesman, Gus Melonas, declined comment.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.

Marine Insurers Cancel War Risk Cover as Iran Conflict Escalates
What Berkshire’s CEO Abel Said About Insurance
Westchester Close to Settling on Hurricane Sally Condo Claim That Topped $230M
Death and Destruction at Orlando I-4 Project But Punitive Damages Not Allowed 


