Insurance Dispute Lawyer Blog

After roughly 35 Floridians protested outside of a campaign fundraiser, state Governor Charlie Crist attempted to ease the concerns of residents facing the struggle of Chinese Drywall. The News-Press reports

Gov. Charlie Crist walked over to a group of about 35 protesters who have defective drywall at about 7 p.m. today and told them what they wanted to hear: That he would look into making an emergency declaration on the drywall.

This response came, however, after a series of comments that make some question just how aware of the situation the Florida governor is. When he first began discussing the issue with the protestors, Crist urged them to seek help from the Charlotte County Housing Authority and the funding it holds for Housing and Urban Development. The group quickly rebuked him, clarifying the funds were earmarked and demonstrating the knowledge and wherewithal that comes from dealing with such a chaotic situation as Chinese Drywall, and the pursuit of assistance, has been.

While Crist then followed up explaining the potential of a state intervention, some protestors remained skeptical.

“A snow job,” Hummer said. The reason is that Crist began talking about HUD funds as an answer when those funds are already allocated and any trickle left over that could be dedicated to drywall remediation will not make a dent in the problem.

They were suspicious because Crist told them he had just been briefed on the issue on the way over to the fundraiser.

“He was just briefed? How can he be briefed?” asked Cardiello. “Does he live under a rock?”

While cynicism may be involved in the protestor responses, the faulty answer of the governor is an unfortunate red flag amidst a situation in which people are desperately looking for answers. Though a ruling from New Orleans seems imminent, the time it would take for that money to come in and make an impact in the lives of Gulf Coast residents struck with faulty sheetrock is unclear.

More information, as it becomes available, will be posted on this blog. For more information on the ongoing Chinese Drywall debacle, click here.

In what may come as good news to some and bad to others, the first Chinese Drywall case may be ruled upon soon. For the unfortunate homeowners stuck in limbo while the pre-trial hearings and litigation was handled, any sort of forward progress is welcome news. However, for the various manufacturers and distributors of the faulty wallboard, a harsh ruling may spell disaster for the industry.

The Fort Myers News-Press reports

The first bellwether trial in the more than 3,000 lawsuits filed across the country regarding the tainted product ended Monday; another starts March 15 in New Orleans.

The lawsuits have been consolidated in that city in federal multidistrict litigation before U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon. What happens will pave the way for future suits.

The first trial was not to determine blame but rather the best fix and how much it will cost.

Fallon has said he will make his ruling soon in the case involving seven Virginia homes vs. Taishan Gypsum Co. of China, which has not responded to lawsuits.

With some experts believing that the cost of liability may be in the billions, and with Chinese manufacturers refusing to pay any ruling made in the United States' jurisdiction, many companies face what one expert deemed to be a "devastating" bill. Though it is unfortunate that the very producers of the faulty drywall will likely never face financial hardships for the product that has caused damage and sickness to countless families and households, the law in the U.S. dictates a chain of liability that requires justice against those involved with the import of products.

While, again, the situation seems to mirror a dine-and-ditch product import scenario, various distributors and other institutions will be left watching New Orleans closely to find out just how much the bill will be.

The ongoing court battle over Chinese drywall rages on as the first lawsuit over the tainted wallboard will be starting soon. Just today, however, Judge Fallon dealt a blow to manufacturer Knauf's plan to provide air conditioning devices to fix the matter. Doing so means that a quick decision may come over the matter that will have widespread ramifications.

The Virginian-Pilot reports

A federal judge in New Orleans presiding over a lawsuit on local homes built with tainted Chinese-made drywall has ruled against a plan by a manufacturer to use retrofitted air conditioners as a way to help fix the homes.

U.S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon ruled last week in a preliminary hearing that a plan by Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd. to use the air conditioners was not reliable and that expert testimony about their use would not be considered in the main hearing set to begin today.

The lawsuit involves seven Hampton Roads homes built with drywall from China. The hearing will result in the first federal judicial decision on remediation of such homes and help set the standard for federal drywall trials set to begin in March.

The judge's decision last week was a legal blow to Knauf, which as a result decided Thursday to withdraw from the hearing, opening the door for a quick decision by the judge on how to remediate the homes.

Any time in which a manufacturer or importer provides a faulty product to consumers, they may be held accountable for the damage it causes. A ruling is still pending on how the problem will be dealt with, as the judge's dismissal of the air units paves the way for a solution ranging from the complete gutting of homes to selective removal of wallboard and various fixtures.

Obviously this is a highly important decision that will not be ruled upon casually. It still remains to be determined how far reaching the decision will be and how it will affect those overseas companies who refused to respond to the lawsuit. Our blog has closely chronicled the matter for some time and you may find a wide variety of information on the developments of the case here.

A positive note for New Orleans residents with Chinese drywall hoping to develop and rebuild in the wake of the toxic wallboard installed in their homes: local officials continue to reduce the financial burden of recovery. Local officials in Jefferson Parish are doing just this, per New Orleans' WVUE:

Jefferson Parish is waiving fees for inspections and permits property owners need related to problems with defective Chinese drywall. Permits are still needed for the replacement of drywall, but the permits and inspections won't cost homeowners anything as they work to fix their homes.

Many area homeowners have run into problems associated with some tainted Chinese drywall. It's been blamed for damage to electrical wiring, heating and air conditioning units and more.

Quite promising news heading into this weekend. Continue to follow this blog as new information becomes available.

Fort Myers' NBC 2 reports on the ongoing plight facing Chinese drywall and the reemerging efforts to push for federal assistance in handling the matter. Submitting hand-written petitions to the governor, families are hoping the governor is able to help handle the situation and fill up the gaps that still exist. With a town hall meeting on Saturday at the Lee Commission Chambers in Fort Myers, Florida, many people are still pushing for answers to the problems facing those who unfortunately have Chinese drywall in their homes.

As a "town hall" meeting discussing Chinese drywall approaches this weekend, affected homeowners say they're tired of politicians passing the buck on the issue. We spoke with victims and pushed for answers from lawmakers on where and when the help will come.

They've hosted top federal officials, even testified on Capitol Hill. But 27 months into their plight, Chinese drywall victims Patti and Richard Kampf say they still don't have the answers or help they need.

"No matter which way homeowners go for an answer, there's always a caveat," said Richard.

The Kampfs' latest mission is trying to get Governor Charlie Crist to issue a disaster declaration to get victims federal money.

Grass roots efforts are a promising addition to the governmental actions being carried out by elected officials as time goes on. Only time will tell if the government is able to fix the situation for homeowners but the more involved people can be in ways such as writing to officials, the more attention this situation will receive.

A heads-up to those who have left their Chinese drywall riddled homes behind because of growing health concerns: make sure security is used. Areas around the country have been facing burglaries in homes left vacant by homeowners after they discovered the faulty wallboard was installed in their homes.

The Fort Myers News-Press reports

Lee Ferguson told Cape Coral police Wednesday that he had to move out of his house on Northeast Juanita Place because of problems with Chinese drywall.

He said when he returned to check on the house, he found that thieves broke in and stole the $5,000 air conditioner.

He said the thieves pried open a window to get into the house.

Ferguson said the burglars also took the ladder to the attic, which is worth $200.

This is the second home in Cape Coral — vacant because of Chinese drywall — that has been burglarized this month.

While the immoral will always take advantage of crises, this is especially hard to stomach given the fact that families with nothing in their homes still are being riddled with problems they may never have foreseen. For those who have left their homes behind, please make sure to install or use security lights or other precautionary measures to make sure the toll that had befallen you is not further extended by the theft of copper pipes, air conditioning units, fixtures and other valuable construction materials.

News coming out of Louisiana shows that Attorney General James Caldwell has filed suit in Louisiana court on behalf of government infrastructures looking to collect money lost helping residents remove and replace Chinese drywall. The move is a positive indication that funding will likely continue to be provided and that the state government is taking initiative to help Louisiana residents move forward from this calamity.

The Associated Press reports

Louisiana’s attorney general is seeking compensation for a flood of Chinese drywall imported after Hurricane Katrina that has been linked to corrosion in homes.

James D. “Buddy” Caldwell said he filed a lawsuit in state court today to help state and local governments recoup the cost of dealing with contaminated drywall. The suit names a slew of companies - from Chinese drywall manufacturers to home developers - as defendants.

Caldwell says the state has lost tax revenues, suffered a decrease in property values and faces high disposal costs because of the drywall.

He said 1.1 million sheets of Chinese drywall were brought into Louisiana after Katrina hit in 2005. Chinese drywall allegedly emits sulfur, methane and other chemical compounds.

While these suits will pursue more funding to replenish what has been spent by local and state governments, it may mean that further money would be available as time goes on to help fix these situations. What's more, it also means there is added pressure on manufacturers and distributors now that the state has filed suit for the faulty wallboard.

Discussing the extensive backstory and saga that has unfolded since millions of pounds of Chinese drywall were imported and used in the building and repair of homes in the United States, the Broward/Palm Beach News published an excellent piece that describes how the faulty wallboard has caused problems for thousands of homeowners.

The article notes

Before '04, Chinese businesses like Knauf Tianjin had rarely exported drywall to the States. But then a housing bubble inflated the demand of homes and depleted construction supplies. In South Florida, dozens of new condo towers sprouted along every stretch of beach and bay front, and hundreds of new golf-course-centered suburbs sprouted from Florida City to Jupiter.

The market exploded so quickly that American gypsum mines and drywall makers simply couldn't keep up. Chinese-based companies like Knauf gladly filled the void, and it sent drywall the company eventually knew was faulty.

The Chinese drywall passed through South Florida ports with virtually no inspections. Developers claim they didn't know that the imported drywall was flawed when they installed it in as many as 100,000 homes nationwide. But home owners began reporting problems immediately. Air conditioners failed every two months; electrical outlets corroded to black powder; homeowners suffered constant nosebleeds and persistent coughs.

It's actually a quite excellent read and has received a lot of attention on the internet for its use of Chinese perspectives on the issue and how well it sums up the issues raging on when dealing with the matter. For anyone who has interest in the legal complexities of imported goods and legal responsibility for the manufacturers, distributors and unfortunate recipients, it's a solid read.

For those in New Orleans, and in the Gulf Coast in general, our firm wishes you a happy, and warm, weekend.

Filed in late December of 2009, a trust representing a homebuilder that used Chinese drywall in its construction efforts has sued insurers for coverage of homeowners with the faulty wallboard. The company, WCI communities, is looking for financial assistance with the rebuilding effort necessary for those whose homes contain the toxic material. The Bloomberg News reports

A trust for WCI Communities Inc., the Florida homebuilder that emerged from bankruptcy last year, sued 14 insurers to enforce more than $200 million of coverage for settlements over houses with defective Chinese drywall.

Insurers including units of American International Group Inc. and Zurich Financial Services AG must help repay more than 700 WCI customers whose homes were built with defective drywall from China between 2006 and 2008, Robert Horkovich, the trust’s lawyer, said today in a phone interview.

The complaint, filed Dec. 23 in New Orleans federal court, says WCI customers in several Florida communities claimed that Chinese drywall caused health problems and property damage such as corrosion of wiring and television connections. The case is the first among many drywall suits consolidated in New Orleans to seek money from insurers, Horkovich said.

Any sort of efforts made by parties involved in the installation or use of Chinese drywall in American homes to hold insurance companies and other negligent parties responsible is a positive. Should the suit be successful, it is likely other companies and groups will follow with their own litigation, leaving homeowners in a positive setting in terms of receiving the money to move forward in the removal and replacement of the faulty material. While the complaint still has a large amount of time before it comes to fruition, this still may be seen as progress.

“A prompt and thorough insurance recovery is vital to enabling homeowners suffering from the effects of defective wallboard to remediate their homes and recover their losses,” Horkovich said.

More information on this complaint will be posted on this blog as it becomes available.

Promising news emerged at the end of 2009 that provides some hope for those homeowners with Chinese drywall in 2010. The United States government, in an effort to provide local assistance for those who have unfortunately been struck with the toxic wallboard, allows for funding to be used to help with the removal and replacement of the drywall. This to say the least, is extremely helpful and an important development on this issue.

The Times-Picayune reports

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development cleared the way Tuesday for the Louisiana Recovery Authority and local governments to use Community Development Block Grant funds to help people with toxic drywall in their homes.

"That is very big news," said Christina Stephens, spokeswoman for the Recovery Authority.

This fall, the Louisiana Recovery Authority set aside $5 million to help Road Home applicants with problem drywall. Many homes that were built or repaired after Hurricane Katrina were constructed with wallboard that emits sulfuric gases that many people believe are making them sick and are corroding metal fixtures and appliances in homes. Insurers so far have been rejecting claims for damage, leaving homeowners without a source of money to fix the damage.

[The] announcement takes a major step toward making funds available to help drywall victims, but money cannot be disbursed until the federal government comes up with protocols on how to test for drywall and agrees on the proper way to remediate damage. Those decisions are expected to be made early [2010].

As the article says, these funding options will be emerging early this year and begin to provide financial relief for those who qualify. Funding may be an issue, as it often is with these matters, but progress is important. Reporting the toxic wallboard in your home may be a requirement of funding. To do so, here is some information:

Reporting the problem to the Recovery Authority will help the state document how big the problem is and make the case for federal assistance. Anyone who hasn't yet registered with the Recovery Authority should complete a form online at lra.louisiana.gov/drywallform or call the state's contaminated drywall hotline at 1.866.684.1713.

The Palm Beach Post reports

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will soon issue guidelines on how homeowners with defective drywall can apply for federal money, according to a letter sent to U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida.

Department secretary Shaun Donovan had previously suggested during a trip to Florida that homeowners may be able to find funding under the Community Development Block Grant program.

However, when citizens failed to get any assistance from the program, government officials looked into the situation and reassessed the application process. This reexamination has led to how a new explanation might emerge to help homeowners get federal assistance for their Chinese drywall issues.

"The guidance will provide details about the eligible activities relating to drywall remediation, and the ways in which (block grant) funds can be used to benefit families with various income levels," Donovan wrote to Nelson in a letter dated Monday.

"It is my expectation that this guidance will be valuable in helping affected communities and homeowners determine how best to respond to this set of issues," he continued.

While it is hard to speculate just what will be included in this guidance, it is promising that the government continues to take steps to help alleviate this situation in a variety of ways. Only time will tell just how effective the brainstorming taking place will be but the effort being put in by members of local and federal government is encouraging.

Albeit a small step forward in the pursuit of relief for residents of Louisiana, news emerging out of last week shows that local government is doing what it can to help victims of Chinese drywall. Reducing the costs of repair efforts, the Mandeville City Council has stepped up to provide a small amount of assistance. What's more, the manner in which the Council is helping is an innovative step that might be replicated across the state.

Suzanne Le Breton of the St. Tammany News reports

The City Council approved a measure Thursday night that would give individuals who make repairs after finding tainted drywall in their homes a break on their permit fees.

Anyone with proof that the tainted drywall was used in their homes can receive a 75 percent reduction when paying for the permits to replace the plumbing, sheetrock and electrical wires in their homes.

The measure was introduced by Councilman Jerry Coogan who said he feels every homeowner or builder who used the drywall from China not knowing of what it contained had their trust violated, and they deserve to get some relief.

He said since they are not getting that relief from the federal government, it is up to the local government to do what it can to help defray the homeowner’s cost of replacing the affected parts of the home.

The 75% reduction was limited by the building inspector because the city could not offer a 100 percent rebate but does show promise. Maxing out each city's efforts in whatever way they can helps provide a road map in which relief might be provided while those with the toxic wallboard wait for a more permanent or sizable mode of assistance.

The Associated Press has a short news piece that demonstrates again how the Chinese drywall issue has affected people of all types and economic backgrounds. Reporting on a lawsuit filed against drywall manufacturer Knauf, the article notes that Saints head coach Sean Payton has been named lead plaintiff in a suit with over 2,000 party members. The article notes:

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is one of about 2,100 plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against a Chinese manufacturer of drywall blamed for damaging homes and sickening residents.

Payton is listed as the lead plaintiff in a suit filed [December 9th] in federal court in New Orleans against Knauf Plasterboard Tainjin Co. Numerous lawsuits have been filed over the drywall.

In June, Payton told reporters he moved his family out of their suburban New Orleans home and said he was suing the Chinese maker of drywall used in it.

The plaintiffs in the newly filed suit include residents of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Dozens of homebuilders, remodelers, building suppliers and drywall distributors also are named as defendants.

It can only be hoped that the attachment of Payton's name, albeit because he was a victim of the faulty import, might bring more attention to this situation and, as a result, lead to more pressure on manufacturers to help remedy the plight many homeowners in the Gulf Coast are experiencing.

In an effort to have victims of Chinese drywall contact the state and notify them of the toxic wallboard in their home, the Louisiana Recovery Authority has initiated a hotline specifically dedicated to the problem. The hotline, set up to help the state get a better idea of just how many people are being affected by Chinese drywall, is part of a national effort across 32 states to find out how many people have been affected. Paul Rainwater, executive director of the Recovery Authority, said the Consumer Product Safety Commission has urged states to get residents active in an effort to get official counts regarding the problem.

The Times-Picayune reports

"We will use the data we gather on homes to continue to make the case for direct federal aid to homeowners, including the possibility of using existing disaster programs for temporary housing and rebuilding assistance," Rainwater said.

People can register online at www.lra.louisiana.gov/drywallform or by calling 1.866.684.1713 Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday , 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Anyone who hasn't already registered with the recovery authority is encouraged to do so, regardless of whether they were a Road Home Program applicant or whether they have already called the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Rainwater said.

As of Dec. 3, only 415 Louisianans had reported their situations to the safety commission. "We believe that's under-reporting. That's why we're doing this outreach. We think the number is in the thousands," Rainwater said.

Because the deadline for the count is December 14th, it is crucial for individuals with Chinese drywall in their home to call the number above or visit their website. Doing so will help bring attention to the plight thousands of families in Louisiana are facing with the toxic wallboard and will hopefully help get the ball rolling even faster on a recovery effort that makes a difference. Our firm urges anyone with Chinese drywall to register using the information above immediately because by doing so they are not only helping the government find out how bad the situation is in this state, they are also creating a sense of urgency around the matter.

The Miami Herald reports that the originally announced total of 100,000 homes facing problems because of Chinese drywall may be overstated. While consumer groups contest this, the news that the number may be less is a mix of good and bad. Though it would be nice to think that far less families are facing the plight of this imported wallboard, that the number might be overstated could mean that it is more of an uphill battle to prove the toxic problem.

The Herald's article notes

Now some are questioning if that figure -- and the scope of the drywall problem itself -- is exaggerated.

A spokesman for the lead federal agency investigating the drywall issue recently cautioned reporters about using the figure, saying it has not been substantiated.

"The best information we have to date is that, that number is overstated,'' said Scott Wolfson, of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, citing a relatively low number of drywall complaints lodged with the agency.

But others contend the estimate is valid, perhaps even low, and that the number of complaints reflects only a fraction of the issue's true scope.

"There's a lot of people still in denial or unaware of this stuff,'' said Thomas Martin, president of Americas Watchdog, a consumer-advocacy group based in Washington, D.C.

While facts will continue to come out as they become available, it is important that the discussion is continuing regarding Chinese drywall. The situation is difficult but over time everything will emerge. In the meantime it is important that those who suspect they have Chinese drywall to contact an attorney and building expert to find out their options.

Just a reminder that Louisiana Senator Julie Quinn's committee meeting in regards to Chinese drywall and insurance companies is scheduled for tomorrow. Senator Quinn is hosting the meeting to discuss the issue of Chinese drywall in Louisiana and the insurance implications. The meeting will be attended by Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and representatives of various insurance companies and is an opportunity for those with Chinese drywall in their homes to explain their situations to those involved in the decision making process.

Details are as follows

LOUISIANA STATE SENATE INSURANCE COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2009 6PM ST. TAMMANY PARISH COUNCIL CHAMBERS 21490 KOOP DRIVE

Our firm's lead attorney on Chinese drywall cases, Jeffrey Berniard our firm is handling, will be in attendance at the meeting and willing to go over the legal options for anyone who thinks they might have the problematic wallboard installed in their homes. Anyone who has an interest in the matter or fears they might have Chinese drywall in their home is encouraged to come.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission today strengthened the case against Chinese drywall makers by releasing three preliminary reports that links the imported wallboard to corrosion and irritating levels of chemicals. The reports, issued by the government ahead of a formal decision by the government on the matter, brings scientific proof to what plaintiff attorneys and homeowners have alleged for months: Chinese drywall is causing health problems and home damage where it has been installed since 2004.

CNN reports

The suspected link between Chinese drywall and toxic effects reported by thousands of U.S. homeowners was strengthened Monday by three preliminary reports issued by the federal government.

The strongest link came from an analysis of air sampled inside dozens of homes containing drywall made in China.

"While the study of 51 homes detected hydrogen sulfide and formaldehyde ... at concentrations below irritant levels, it is possible that the additive or synergistic effects of these and other compounds in the subject homes could cause irritant effects," the Consumer Product Safety Commission said in its executive summary of the study.

Two other preliminary studies found copper sulfide corrosion in metal components taken from homes containing the Chinese drywall.

Obviously this is a very good sign for homeowners looking for positive results in their suits against the Chinese manufacturers. While the reports are preliminary and more government information is to come, this strengthens the case being made against companies like Knauf. For more information on Chinese drywall, continue to check in on this blog as news will be posted here as it becomes available.

The Bradenton Herald had an interesting piece that really clarifies how big the next few months are for those involved in Chinese drywall. Whether it's the escalation of pre-trial matters in the federal litigation involving the toxic wallboard or foreign diplomacy, things are shaping up quickly.

The Herald reports

Within the next few weeks, officials expect to determine how much of a fire hazard, if any, the contaminated product poses. They’ll also have a better idea of how much the drywall contaminates the air inside affected homes. A federal judge is expected to decide which of the several hundred lawsuits that have been filed over the product will be the first to go to trial.

And the White House will raise the issue for the first time when President Barack Obama visits China this week.

In [Chinese Drywall's pretrial matters], U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon could decide as early as this week which lawsuit will be the first “bellwether” case. Fallon has said he wants that trial to begin as early as Jan. 10.

The story also notes that deadlines loom on suits involving Chinese manufacturers

Also looming is a Dec. 9 deadline to file an omnibus class-action lawsuit against Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co., the only Chinese drywall manufacturer that has agreed to accept service but only for a limited time. Homeowners must provide evidence that they have the company’s wallboard by Dec. 2 to participate.

As always, this blog will continue to update as things progress in any of these matters. Our firm is also available if anyone has questions regarding the December 9th deadline and how to find out if they have Chinese drywall installed in their home.

With the disaster that Chinese drywall has become in the Gulf Coast and in other places across the country, homeowners are scrambling to find out if they have been afflicted with the toxic wallboard. With such urgency and panic, many have pursued cheaper manners of testing to avoid being buried underneath further bills. While remedies have been advertised that have since been found to be questionable solutions at best, the industry keeps churning out alternatives to true home detection services by professionals.

The St Petersburg Times reports on one possible scanner that shows promise but remains unregulated

A possible, less expensive testing solution may be on the horizon. New businesses are offering a noninvasive scan of homes throughout Tampa Bay and across the state for $500, using a handheld tool that can help identify the corrosive gases emitted by Chinese drywall.

But with the testing method comes big warnings: The service is not licensed by the state, does not require certification and has no oversight.

"You need to be really sure of the qualifications of the person doing the testing," said David Krause, a state toxicologist reviewing the drywall issue.

"We consider this to be a very promising screening method," Krause said. "But the state does not endorse this as a testing method yet. There currently is not a standard on approach or standard in how to do this."

Until services attain the monitoring and certification of the state, no method is more proven or trusted than those attained with experts and specialists. The Berniard Law Firm hires such experts when clients hire our firm as legal representation and very detailed and meticulous records are kept to secure our clients rights in these reports.

For more information on how to attain expert services in your area, both legal and home analysis, feel free to contact our firm. In the meantime, should you be looking into alternative testing methods, take great care to pursue the most proven and trusted services.

Hoping to increase the awareness of officials as well as the public in regards to Chinese drywall, Louisiana State Senator Julie Quinn is hosting a panel meeting to discuss the issue of Chinese drywall in Louisiana. The effort, which will be intended by Quinn as well as Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon and representatives of various insurance companies, is being held to allow citizens to explain their plights to those involved in the decision making process.

Details are as follows

LOUISIANA STATE SENATE INSURANCE COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 2, 2009 6PM ST. TAMMANY PARISH COUNCIL CHAMBERS 21490 KOOP DRIVE

Jeffrey Berniard, lead attorney in the Chinese drywall cases our firm is handling, will be in attendance at the meeting and willing to discuss the legal rights of those who believe they have the toxic wallboard in their homes. We look forward to meeting with some of you and seeing those in charge have the unfortunate situations of many explained to them face-to-face. Anyone who has an interest in the matter or fears they might have Chinese drywall in their home is encouraged to come.