Life-Threatening Defect in "Bulletproof" Vests Sparks Product Recall

Second Chance Body Armor knowingly sold faulty body armor to police officers, soldiers, and even President Bush.

Officer’s Lawsuit May Have Saved President Bush’s Life

When Tony Zeppetella, a police officer in Oceanside, California, was shot by a criminal in June 2003, his bulletproof vest proved anything but. The bullet penetrated his vest, and Tony was killed.

His widow Jamie sued the company that sold her husband the vest. Her lawsuit, another suit by an officer whose vest failed, and a class action lawsuit brought by police departments made public the fundamental flaws in Zylon body armor that company executives knew existed, forcing them to recall 100,000 defective vests.

Jamie’s lawsuit potentially saved the lives of thousands of law enforcement officers and soldiers – and even President George W. Bush and his wife Laura, who had worn the defective vests at public events before they were recalled in 2005. Last week the Department of Justice launched a criminal investigation.

On the Hill

The Second Chance body armor recall is a reminder that lawsuits save lives. Lawsuits brought by trial lawyers forced the vests off the market – not a Department of Justice investigation or federal regulatory action. Congress should learn from this tragic story and reject pending legislation that would give immunity from lawsuits to corporations that sell or donate defective products.

By the Numbers

• 100,000: Number of faulty bulletproof vests recalled from police stations and security units nationwide in June 2005.
• 2001: Year whistleblower Aaron Westrick first discovered and notified the President of Second Chance Body Armor that the vests were made with faulty material.

Used with permission from The Association of the American Trial Lawyers of America.  All rights reserved.