W.R. Grace Seeks Stay of Tobacco Contribution Lawsuit, Cites Owens Corning's Pending Appeal

WILMINGTON, Del. - Bankrupt asbestos defendant W.R. Grace & Co. has filed a lawsuit asking a federal bankruptcy court to stay its contribution claim against the tobacco industry until a similar case has been decided in Mississippi. W.R. Grace & Co. v. RJR Nabisco, No. 02-02013 (D. Del. Bankr.).

In an adversary proceeding filed Feb. 22 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, Grace claims it would be a waste of time and resources to continue litigating its case against Big Tobacco while the Mississippi case -which was dismissed last year - is on appeal before the state Supreme Court.

Grace …