Insurance Dispute Lawyer Blog

Trouble looms for builders who used Chinese drywall

Published on: September 2, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

Recent news from the Wall Street Journal shows the financial report side of Chinese drywall and how insiders have become experts on Chinese drywall in the pursuit of fully understanding the outcomes looming for those unfortunate enough to have used the faulty wallboard. Per the WSJ,

When Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. reports fiscal third-quarter results on Wednesday afternoon, industry watchers will learn the usual details about contracts, cancellations and revenue. But they also want to hear about drywall.

Builders have been disclosing their exposure to allegedly defective drywall — also known as wallboard — imported from China during the housing boom. A growing number of homeowners complain that it generates sulfurous odors and corrosion. These complaints have led to continuing investigations by several government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, and some of their results are expected next month.

Hurricane Watch:

Published on: September 1, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

Per the Examiner, storms may finally reach the Gulf Coast.

A new system taking shape has a fairly high chance of becoming a depression, and possibly tropical storm, on either September 1 or 2, according to the National Hurricane Center. It is located east of Puerto Rico near the Lesser Antilles.

The good news is this: the persistent trough over the east will likely steer this tropical cyclone away from the U.S. coast just as we saw with “Bill” and “Danny”. The system has a very low chance of affecting Texas based on expected steering winds.

Calls for more tax benefits to Chinese drywall victims; levee plan questioned

Published on: August 31, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

A little bit of ‘News in Short’

Miami Herald: more tax benefits for Chinese drywall victims

Scientific tests have shown that toxic China-made drywall installed in homes beginning in 2001 emits harmful gases that corrode copper wiring and other parts of people’s homes. In addition, these gases harm people’s health, making many homes uninhabitable. Homeowners must not be left to shoulder this burden alone…

Brief report relating to Chinese drywall inspection

Published on: August 29, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

One of our clients recently had their home inspected for Chinese drywall and the report was completed this week. For those wondering what a report details, it includes

Interviews of the home’s inhabitants

Visual inspection of copper fixtures, air conditioning, coils, etc. for premature corrosion

News in short: WCI bankruptcy plan approved

Published on: August 28, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

Coming out of bankruptcy court, WCI’s plan for restructuring and settling debt has been approved.

A bankruptcy judge on Wednesday approved a plan of reorganization for luxury home builder WCI Communities Inc (WCIMQ.PK), according to court documents, helping clear the way for the company to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The relevancy of this to homeowners in the Gulf Coast is plain:

Chinese drywall fund in Louisiana not enough?

Published on: August 27, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

Coming out of the news last week are reports that the special fund set aside by Louisiana legislatures may be incredibly inadequate and more money may be necessary.

A Louisiana fund set up to help the victims of defective Chinese drywall may not be adequate, according to a report in The Advocate. Considering the number of affected homes in the state, the $5 million recently set aside by the Louisiana legislature won’t be enough to repair every home with Chinese drywall.

Consumers in 24 states have filed a total of 1046 Chinese drywall complaints with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Gases emitted from the drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances. These gases also produce a sulfurous odor, similar to fireworks or rotten eggs, that permeates homes, and cause metals, including air conditioning coils and even jewelry, to corrode.

Energy firms not seeking insurance against disasters

Published on: August 26, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

The Wall Street Journal reports that companies in the Gulf and outside of it are not seeking insurance for catastrophe this hurricane season. Citing “improved technology and increased regulations” as rationale for avoiding the provisions, these companies still stand at some peril as hurricane season escalates. The article notes

Many energy companies are facing the late-blooming Gulf Coast hurricane season without insurance against storm damage to their offshore platforms, pipelines and drilling rigs.

Although the annual storm season has been mild so far, the first hurricane, Bill, brewed up in the Atlantic last weekend, and federal forecasters are predicting three to six hurricanes this year, one or two of which will probably qualify as major.

Chinese drywall in Las Vegas?

Published on: August 25, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

A recent news piece reveals that Chinese drywall may have gotten as far as Las Vegas when it was imported and installed into new homes nationwide. Homeowners have cited the now standard signs of it having been used for the development of their dwellings and inspectors have begun investigating

A Chinese drywall class action lawsuit has been filed in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to the Las Vegas Sun, the lawsuit alleges that Chinese drywall is causing health problems for occupants of homes in two Las Vegas neighborhoods

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of four homeowners, the Sun said. Three of the homes are located in a neighborhood near Jones Boulevard and Grand Teton Drive; and the fourth is near Hollywood Boulevard and Desert Inn Road. The lawsuit, which seeks class action status for all residents of the state suffering health problems because of Chinese drywall, names subsidiaries of Miami-based homebuilder Lennar Corp. and drywall manufacturer Georgia-Pacific Corp. of Atlanta as defendants.

Weather radios a safe buy while hurricane season is afoot

Published on: August 24, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

Just a helpful reminder that buying a weather radio may be a good idea before it is a necessity. Various sites around the internet are selling them, as are businesses in areas around the Gulf Coast, and some decent deals might be something to jump on. One site, for instance, is selling a model for 50% off, only $18 + shipping. The model includes features such as

Receives all 7 NOAA Weather/Hazard Channels

Telescopic Antenna

Consider trip insurance this hurricane season

Published on: August 23, 2009 | By Berniard Law Firm

Virginia’s WSLS recently did a piece on traveling and the use of travelers insurance that is very relevant to anyone across the United States who may be visiting or doing business in regions such as the Gulf Coast. When visiting areas like Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi or Texas, travelers may want to consider the slightly extra fees to guarantee their trip is financially supported in the event hurricane season flips on it.

Bradford tells WSLS travelers can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to hundreds of thousands of dollars for trip insurance, but she says it pays for itself if they have to use it.

“If it’s a situation where you’ve paid $4,000 for a trip and it gets cancelled because of a hurricane and you didn’t take out any insurance, you’re in bind,“ said Bradford.