Personal Injury Law

Judge Awards Plaintiffs $2.6 million in Chinese Drywall Suits

By LaBovick Law

U.S. District Court Judge Eldon Fallon of the Eastern District of Louisiana , awarded seven Virginia families $2.6 million in damages for homes ruined by sulfur-emitting drywall made in China, a decision that could affect how lawsuits by thousands of other U.S. homeowners are settled.

However, plaintiff's now have to figure out how to collect from Chinese companies that do not have to respond to U.S courts. 

Several plaintiffs, mostly in Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, have reported problems with the drywall, which was imported in large quantities during the housing boom and after a string of Gulf Coast hurricanes.

The drywall has been linked to corrosion of wiring, air conditioning units, computers, doorknobs and jewelry, along with possible health effects. 

In Judge Fallon's Opinion on Chinese Drywall Product Liability Litigation, he cited the following:

Based upon the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Court finds that scientific, economic, and practicality concerns dictate that the proper remediation for the Plaintiff-intervenors is to remove all drywall in their homes, all items which have suffered corrosion as a result of the Chinese drywall, and all items which will be materially damaged in the process of removal.

Click on the following links to read more on the Chinese Drywall Verdict

Chinese Drywall - MDL Products Liability Litigation

Judge Awards $2.6 Million in Chinese Drywall Suit - Bloomberg

Judge Awards Families $2.6M Over Chinese Drywall - Law.com

Virginia homeowners awarded $2.6 million for drywall claims - Virginia Lawyers Weekly

Full post as published by LaBovick Injury Law Blog on April 12, 2010 (boomark / email).