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.
On Monday, January 25 2010, a vote was held by the Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor. The proposed bill is now headed to the Senate where a full vote is expected to take place.
In Newport News, Virginia, officials have expressed frustration with the lack of options. The Daily Press quoted Madeline McMillan, Newport News council member, as stating “As a municipality, we are limited. We don’t have the funds or a mechanism for the funds to channel to [homeowners in my jurisdiction], so it’s frustrating for me…[m]y heart goes out to them.”
Newport News homeowners, desperate for answers as they discover their homes are contaminated by Chinese drywall, met with building officials Tuesday.
While the majority of complaints received by the Consumer Product Safety Commission cite foul smelling odors and corrosion, one homeowner pointed out that over the past couple years he has seen damages to a variety of household items – including a television, coffee pot, and ice maker.
Newport News, Virginia – Atlantic Homes, LLC recently sent letters to homeowners in the Richneck neighborhood to let them know that some homes in the area may have been built with defective drywall imported from China.
