Asbestos, Silica Liabilities Force Texas Company into Bankruptcy

WILMINGTON, Del. - A Texas transportation company whose subsidiary pipe manufacturer was named in a number of asbestos-related personal injury lawsuits has become the latest asbestos defendant to file for Chapter 11 protection in bankruptcy court. In re Swan Transportation Co., No. 01-11690 (Del. Bankr.).

Swan Transportation Co. filed its bankruptcy petition Dec. 20 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

Sources close to the bankruptcy filing said the decision to seek Chapter 11 protection was related to the company's asbestos liabilities. The company has been named in lawsuits filed by workers who claimed they were exposed …