Knauf Gips, a German manufacturing company, continues to argue that it is not responsible for the defective Chinese drywall produced by its subsidiary Knauf Plasterboard Tinjian, even though documents filed in German and US courts reveal a close tie between the two entities.
Newport News, VA Chinese drywall town hall meeting with CPSC representatives still left homeowners, and now renters, with no answers to their questions concerning water safety, health problems, foreclosure.
First Chinese drywall trial: Jury awards Florida couple $2.4 million in damages
U.S. District Judge, Robert G. Doumar ruled last week that the policy which existed between a homeowner and TravCo. Insurance Company does not cover damages caused by defective Chinese drywall. The problematic issue for the homeowner in the case was reportedly specific exclusions that were in the policy. While the case might be disheartening upon first glance for homeowners across the country, this area of law is in flux, as courts are coming down on both sides regarding this particular issue.
Taishan Gypsum Co. Ltd, the Chinese drywall manufacturer that was ordered to pay $2.6 million in damages to seven Virginia homeowners, has for the first time yesterday responded to the lawsuit with an appeal. This response has renewed hope that the company may eventually pay these damages.
The drywall was installed in the home that the article references, as being located in Coconut Grove. The attorney for the couple that purchased the home told the jury this week that there was indeed adequate time to stop installing the drywall, and to halt the process. The bottom line is that the drywall did end up in the home.
A bill that would prevent insurance companies from failing to renew or canceling clients who file Chinese drywall-related claims has progressed to the full House.
Class-action status is significant legally, in that plaintiffs (those who suffered harm) can benefit by being considered a “class” or a group rather than having to file a lawsuit for each home affected. This “class-action” status obviously alleviates administrative burdens on the court system as well.
In a recent development regarding the Chinese drywall trials (and the issue as a whole for that matter ) a Chinese manufacturer has settled its first suit – Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. settled just days ago, on Friday. Read the source article, from CBS, here.
While most personal property items that sustain damages contain metals (the metal corrodes from toxic compounds present in the air), clothing is now an item of concern for homeowners seeking remedies for their losses. The reason clothing can be considered a damaged item due to defective drywall, is that the sulfuric odor in some cases can not be removed – the clothing is thus useless.
