(May 26, 2016, 12:45 PM EDT) -- LOS ANGELES — A California jury hit respirator manufacturer American Optical Corp. with a $32 million verdict April 26, including $22.8 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. Sources told Mealey Publications that it is the first punitive damages award against the company related to its respirators (William and Becky Tyler, et al. v. American Optical Corp., et al., No. BC588866, Calif. Super., Los Angeles Co.).

The verdict came in a case brought by William and Becky Tyler in the Los Angeles County...