An estimated 170 homes, built by Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina victims, contain defective Chinese drywall. These homes will be gutted and rebuilt for each resident.
A Chinese drywall ruling was made on Thursday, April 8, by U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon in New Orleans, awarding seven Virginia homeowners $2.6 million in damages.
The seven Virginia homeowners were chosen as representatives of homes affected by the toxic Chinese drywall across the country- one Virginia Beach family, two in Newport News, and four in Williamsburg.
It has been a busy week in the news in terms of Chinese drywall stories. Those who are interested in this topic should not find it difficult to stay busy. Everyday, Chinese drywall stories from around the country hit the internet, as well as newspapers and television stations.
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.
Chinese drywall status conference Thursday, October 15, 2009
In many lawsuits involving product liability claims, harmed individuals can sue an entire chain of supply. The manufacturer of the product is generally at the top or beginning of such a chain. In the case of allegedly defective and/or dangerous Chinese drywall, manufacturers tend to be either based in partly or wholly in China.
Bodily injuries are currently difficult to project monetarily speaking, due to the fact that establishing a link between the Chinese drywall and actual injuries will require further research. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently conducting tests to attempt to either establish, or dispel – such a link.
Why isn’t the government realizing the Chinese drywall problem should be considered equal to disaster relief?
Senators Mark Warner, Jim Webb, Representative Glenn Nye of Virginia, have all teamed up with Senator Bill Nelson of Florida to request that the IRS clarify if homeowners are eligible for a casualty loss deduction due to the side effects of Chinese drywall.
Lawsuits have been filed around the country against Chinese drywall manufacturers. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has decided to consolidate these class action lawsuits in New Orleans.
