NFL Coach is lead plaintiff in Chinese drywall lawsuit December 11, 2009

Sean Payton, NFL Coach of the New Orleans Saints is reported to be the lead plaintiff in a recently filed Chinese drywall lawsuit according to Alabama Live.

The suit, against Knauf Plasterboard Tainjin Co. Ltd. was filed on Wednesday.  The suit was initiated on behalf of homeowners with this particular brand of drywall in their homes.  According to the source, around 2,100 persons joined the suit (or at least, signed up) prior to a deadline last week.  Apparently, as many as 600 people filed lately but the lead plaintiff counsel expressed plans to attempt to let those stragglers in the mix.

Payton was reportedly selected as the “lead plaintiff” because he was one of the first individuals from Louisiana to “link news reports [regarding] the drywall to televisions, computers, and electrical equipment failing in his home…and his family becoming ill.”

Another factor may have been the financial position Payton is in, insofar as his ability to litigate the problem monetarily speaking.  Payton, as well as many other families affected, have moved out of their residences and have retained samples and photographs of evidence.

In January of 2010, proceedings are going to commence w/ regard to Virginia cases, where drywall was manufactured by a Chinse entity – Taishan Gypsum.  Recently in multidistrict litigation, presiding Judge Fallon found the company in default due to failing to respond.  Some lawyers have stated that if a verdict is rendered against the said defendant, ships carrying the products of that specific company may be seized in order to raise money for the judgment, and to cease imports from the less than credible source.