Homebuilder Lennar Files Suit for Defective China Drywall
Millions of homes and buildings in the
Unites States are built using an interior product called drywall that
creates smooth walls and ceilings that are easy to work with. The
benefits of the product are clear. Construction crews and carpenters
can install the sheets of material in far less time than performing a
traditional plaster finish, allowing them to increase business and
profits. This setup is also beneficial to home and office owners, as
they can afford to have nice, smooth walls at a fraction of the
price. This particular building commodity also allows people to hang
art and fixtures with simple tools. However, despite these benefits,
reports of defective China drywall have forced many Florida residents
out of their homes. Recent studies have shown that an
influx of cheaply made China drywall has come into the American
market. The inquiry began after many homeowners (primarily in the
Florida area) began noticing foul smells around the house during damp
or rainy periods. Some of them became dizzy, got headaches, or became
violently ill. Others noticed that their electronics did not last as
long as they used to. They frequently had to replace radios,
televisions, and even light switches. The Federal Government eventually
stepped in, in an attempt to protect the health of the homeowners.
What they found was startling. Certain manufacturers of China drywall
had provided materials that were emitting relatively high levels of a
gas known as hydrogen sulfide. This is the gas that gives swamps
their distinctive “rotten egg” odor. The reason the homeowners
were feeling sick was that the imported drywall was emitting toxic
fumes. In fact, hydrogen sulfide is widely known as a broad-spectrum
poison, meaning that it can attack almost any system within the body. One construction company in particular,
Lennar Homes, discovered more than 400 homes it had built in
Southwest Florida that may have contained suspect materials. Their
plan of action was to pay the relocation costs for residents and make
the repairs, ripping out the tainted wallboard. The company then
began its construction litigation by filing a lawsuit against Knauf
Plasterboard, Taishan Gypsum, and Banner Supply Co. The public is
understandably concerned about this issue, and media articles have
reported that other construction companies are in the process of
investigating homes as well.
If you or anyone you know experiences
any of the drywall problems discussed above, be sure to have
your drywall examined. If you have health complaints and your doctor
documents your diagnosis, and a professional finds that the kind of
wallboard used in your home is indeed the toxic Florida drywall, you
may be due recompense.
Also take careful note of your
expensive silver, and electronic and copper items, including copper
pipes in the walls. The acidic fumes that may be causing your illness
may also be damaging your expensive electronic equipment, and putting
your home at risk. As the gas slowly destroys wiring and pipes, it
increases the potential for electrical shorts, which may lead to
fires or explosions. Also, corroded pipes may eventually burst, or
cause the water flowing through them to turn foul. Once you have your documentation ready,
contact a qualified legal expert to see about pursuing your case for
damages against the manufacturer of the product in the proper court
of law.
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