Fullerton-Based Vista Paint To Pay $950K Over Chemical Death

SANTA ANA (AP) — A Fullerton-based paint manufacturer must pay $950,000 to settle a lawsuit that charged mishandling of a toxic chemical killed a worker and seriously injured another.

Orange County prosecutors say a judge signed the order against Vista Paint Corp. last month.

Prosecutors alleged that Vista permitted unsafe handling of a paint stripper containing the toxic chemical methylene chloride.

Authorities say fumes overwhelmed two employees in 2011, killing one. They were found unconscious inside a tank at the Fullerton plant.

In addition to paying fines and restitution, the company will receive an annual audit by state regulators to ensure it is complying with health and safety laws.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)