Legal Opinion
American Optical Corporation v. Robert Lee Rankin, Jr.
Mississippi Supreme Court
Decided May 18, 2017No. 2015-CA-01066-SCTPublishedCited by 23 opinions
1Opinion of the Court
COLEMAN, JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
¶1. On May 13, 2013, a former construction worker, Robert Lee Rankin Sr., filed a complaint in Jefferson County Circuit Court against American Optical Corpora*1064tion (AO) alleging an injury of “lung disease and silica related conditions caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica” while using defective respirators1 manufactured by AO. Following trial on February 17-24, 2015, the jury returned a total verdict of $14 million in favor of Rankin.2
¶2. According to the verdict form, the jury found by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) Rankin had a…
2Cases cited11 opinions
- PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc. v. LoweryMississippi Supreme Court · 2005
- Spotlite Skating Rink, Inc. v. Barnes Ex Rel. BarnesMississippi Supreme Court · 2008
- Angle v. Koppers, Inc.Mississippi Supreme Court · 2010
- Hyundai Motor America v. ApplewhiteMississippi Supreme Court · 2011
- Powe v. ByrdMississippi Supreme Court · 2004
6 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by23 opinions
- F & S Sand, Inc. v. StringfellowMississippi Supreme Court · 2019
- Culpepper Enterprises Inc. v. Joseph R. ParkerCourt of Appeals of Mississippi · 2018
- Anthony K. Hood and Barbara L. Hood v. A & A Excavating Contractors, Inc., Asbury Lane Village, LLC and ALV Development, LLCCourt of Appeals of Mississippi · 2022
- Calloway (Buddy) Smith v. Frank (Kim) Breese IIICourt of Appeals of Mississippi · 2026
- Carlisle 2010 Hist Tax Crdt v. Regions BankCourt of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · 2019
18 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.