Just got this from my fiance...
You know, its a bummer that Zylon was bad, and I hope the company wasnt trying to cover that fact up - I dont think they were. Unless I am wrong on that, this looks like more ridiculous lawsuits pushed by fat cat lawyers and greedy families. Don't get me wrong, I feel bad for their losses, but I honestly dont think I could take money in illegitimate lawsuit and be able to sleep at night. I just tihnk that people are once again, forgetting who pulled the trigger.
Facing lawsuits, bulletproof vest manufacturer files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Eds: UPDATES with Minnesota also among states that have sued Second Chance.
CENTRAL LAKE, Mich. (AP) ? Second Chance Body Armor Inc. filed for Chapter 11
bankruptcy after being hit with lawsuits in at least 10 states accusing it of
selling defective bulletproof vests to police officers.
One lawsuit blames the company in the shooting death of a California police
officer. Another, brought by the state of Utah, led to a $210,000 settlement.
The bankruptcy petition, filed Sunday, puts the lawsuits on hold while Second
Chance tries to work its way out of financial trouble.
?The filing will allow Second Chance management to focus on the management of
the business so as to continue to serve its law enforcement and military
customers,? chief executive Paul Banducci said.
The company announced in September 2003 that it had concerns about Zylon, the
synthetic fiber used in the vests. Since then, lawsuits have been filed,
federal and state investigations begun, and finger-pointing has ensued between
Second Chance and Zylon?s producer, Toyobo Co. of Japan.
Toyobo has acknowledged that tests show Zylon loses 10 percent to 20 percent of
its durability within two years of manufacture. But the company insisted the
fiber works well in body armor that is properly constructed.
Second Chance claims to have spared more than 935 wearers from death or serious
injury with is products.
Lawsuits have also been filed in Arizona, Texas, Massachusetts, Georgia,
Illinois, Connecticut, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.
Last year, the Fraternal Order of Police estimated 200,000 of the nation?s
700,000 police officers wear vests made with Zylon, which has also been used by
other body armor manufacturers in the United States and Canada.
Second Chance employs about 250 workers at its Central Lake factory and also has
operations in Alabama, Massachusetts, England, Germany and Morocco.
???
On the Net:
Second Chance Body Armor: http://www.secondchance.com