Not only are homeowners suing Knauf, but homebuilders have sought to do so as well, relating to defects in products. According to the group America’s Watchdog and its Chinese Drywall Complaint Center, “the easiest way to check to see if you have [Knauf] drywall is to go to your attic, and see if Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin is written on the back of the drywall in your attic. The time lines are 2001 to 2008…”
As the commencement of the Chinese drywall trials in the multidistrict litigation taking place in the Eastern District of Louisiana is around the corner, it appears as if Judge Fallon is seeking to insure that no problems arise with regard to potential evidentiary issues. Fallon has ordered the preservation of evidence for trial according to a set of specific procedures and guidelines, with separate provisions depending upon the type or item of evidence.
One aspect of the Chinese drywall litigation underway in New Orleans becoming increasingly frustrating to the plaintiffs and their attorneys is the technically muddled, international and political composition of arguably applicable treaties, conventions, and jurisdictional assertions. In short, recovering money damages from Chinese-owned defendants requires navigation down a legal path fraught with more hurdles than would be the case when seeking to recover from U.S. counterparts.
