Japanese company settles Oklahoma class-action over bulletproof vests

TOKYO (AP) _ A Japanese company will pay $29-million to settle a class-action lawsuit in Oklahoma over bullet-resistant vests used by police officers. <br/><br/>Toyobo Company says Mayes County District

Wednesday, July 13th 2005, 9:37 am

By: News On 6

TOKYO (AP) _ A Japanese company will pay $29-million to settle a class-action lawsuit in Oklahoma over bullet-resistant vests used by police officers.

Toyobo Company says Mayes County District Judge James Goodpaster gave preliminary approval today. Toyobo says the settlement will be finalized on September 23rd.

Goodpaster says the money will be put in an interest-bearing account for claims against Toyobo and that the company will pay attorneys fees and other costs that will total about $9-million.

Toyobo supplied a fiber called Zylon for the vests and the vests were supplied by Second Chance Body Armor of Central Lake, Michigan. Other lawsuits are still pending against both Toyobo and Second Chance, including one by the family of a California police officer killed while wearing the vest.

The two companies blame each other for problems with the vests.