CHARLESTON W.Va. (WVDN) — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on Friday said his office has reached a $12 million settlement agreement with American Optical Corporation to resolve allegations the company made, marketed and sold defective respirators/dust masks in West Virginia.
The suit against American Optical alleged that the company violated the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act by making untrue, deceptive or misleading representations in its advertising, marketing, promotion, distribution and sale of respiratory protection equipment in West Virginia.
“West Virginia trusted that this company produced and sold effective protection against occupational pneumoconiosis,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “They put their safety in the hands of a company that put profits before people.”
“I will always protect the interests of hardworking West Virginians.”