Defense Verdict for American Optical Corp. in Latest Mississippi Silica Trial

PORT GIBSON, Miss. - Mississippi jurors have found for American Optical Corp. in a wrongful death suit brought by the family of a man who allegedly developed mixed-dust pneumocniosis from exposure to respirable silica.

The jury in the Circuit Court of Claiborne County, Miss., reached a unanimous verdict Sept. 11 in the case brought by Patrick Claiborne on behalf of the estate of Lawrence Armstrong.

Claiborne maintained that Armstrong was exposed to silica while working near sandblasting operations.

Trial was held before Claiborne County Circuit Judge Lamar Pickard.

Walter Johnson, Corey Hinshaw and Joseph Baladi of Watkins & Eager in …