Plaintiffs v Taishan Gypsum
Plaintiffs File Lawsuit Against Taishan Gypsum For Chinese Drywall
Chinese-made drywall that homeowners say makes them sick and corrodes metal is now the subject of a class-action lawsuit in North Carolina.
Several Washington, D.C., law firms filed suit last Friday on behalf of three North Carolina homeowners who say the drywall emitted gases that nauseated them, irritated their eyes and throats, and caused shortness of breath and fatigue. The gas also damaged metal utensils, electronics, wiring and appliances, according to the suit filed in U.S. District Court.
The law firms -- Hausfeld LLP, Levin Fishbein and Colson Hicks -- have filed similar suits in Virginia and Florida.
The lawyers are looking for more people who were harmed by the drywall to join the suit, which targets the Chinese government-owned manufacturer, Taishan Gypsum, as well as a U.S.-based supplier and installation contractor. The suit demands that the companies either buy back the plaintiffs' homes or pay to replace the drywall, and that they start a public awareness campaign to inform homeowners about the dangers.
An estimated 550 million pounds of Chinese drywall was brought into the United States between 2004 and 2006, when domestic supply couldn't satisfy the housing boom, according to the three law firms. It's unknown how much of it was defective.
The problem drywall is said to emit a sulfur-based gas that creates a rotten-egg odor. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission is investigating complaints about it.
Hausfeld LLP
202-540-7200
Levin Fishbein
215-592-1500
info@lfsblaw.com
Colson Hicks
Tel. 305.476.7400
Fax. 305.476.7444
