The first Chinese drywall case to be tried by jury in U.S. courts has concluded. A Florida jury awarded an astonishing $2.4 million damages award to a Florida couple who had to abandon their $1.6 million home.
According to the Associated Press, “The six-person jury ruled that Armin and Lisa Seifart should receive more than just the costs of gutting and renovating their home: They were also awarded damages for loss of enjoyment of the $1.6 million house and for the drywall stigma that might reduce its resale value.”
Thousands of lawsuits involving faulty Chinese drywall are pending in the courts. After Hurricane Katrina and the housing boom, faulty Chinese drywall was imported at a very high rate to the southeastern United States. Unfortunately, these batches of defective drywall began emitting a noxious odor, destroying wiring, ruining plumbing, and even causing damage to computers and jewelery.
The distributor of the toxic dry wall, Banner Supply Co., was accused of ignoring evidence that the drywall from China was defective, including recommendations from the Chinese manufacturers that the drywall not be used. The jury found Banner Supply Co. 55% responsible for the problems experienced by the Seifart family.
If your family suspects that tainted, faulty Chinese drywall was installed in your home, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recommended removing the drywall as quickly as possible. Any adversely affected wiring or piping should also be removed. The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker handles many similar product liability cases. If you or a loved one has been the victim of any faulty product, contact us today using our email form or by phone at (800) 333-0000.
