Calif. Jury Awards $32.8 Million in Asbestos Case; Finds Remaining Defendant American Optical 70 Percent Liable

LOS ANGELES –– A California jury has awarded $32.8 million to a former machinist who contended that his use of a defective respiratory mask manufactured by American Optical Corp. caused him to breathe in asbestos fibers.

The California Superior Court for Los Angeles County jury reached its initial verdict on April 22, awarding $22.8 million in economic damages. After finding that American Optical had acted with malice, jurors delivered its $10 million punitive damage award on April 26.

Judge John Kralik presided over the trial.

In their original complaint, the plaintiffs said that William Tyler worked at Foundry Service …