Widow of Former Grace Plant Worker Sues State for Negligence

HELENA, Mont. - The widow of a Libby, Mont., mine worker has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the state of Montana, alleging that state health officials knew the hazards within W.R. Grace & Co.'s vermiculite mine as far back as 1956 and neglected to act on their knowledge. Graham v. State of Montana, No. DV-2001-264 (Mont. Dist. Ct., Lewis and Clark Cty.).

According to the April 24 complaint filed in Lewis and Clark County District Court, state board of health officials inspected the W.R. Grace facility over a half dozen times during a period of nearly 20 years in …