Chinese Drywall Claims
Hundreds of homeowners have reported problems in new Florida homes built with or repaired with dry wall imported from China. Gould Cooksey Fennell, P.A. is investigating potential Chinese drywall lawsuits against the companies, builders and manufacturers responsible for these Chinese drywall problems.
For many people, the first sign that they may have a drywall problem is the presence of a strong sulfur odor - described as the smell of rotten eggs. In some cases, the odor is so bad that people are unable to live in their homes. Air-conditioning evaporator coils, which are supposed to last a decade or more, are corroding and failing in homes only a couple of years old. Pipes and wiring may also be deteriorating because of the Chinese drywall fumes.
Hundreds of millions of sheets of Chinese drywall were imported from 2004 through early 2007, but Chinese drywall has recently been found in homes built or remodeled as early as 2001. Many people living in Florida homes built with or repaired with Chinese drywall have also experienced health problems believed to be a result of the fumes in their homes. Reports state that the odor causes people to experience mild and moderate respiratory irritation that clears up when they leave the homes. Other residents have reported that they are experiencing headaches that also go away when they leave their houses. Additional symptoms being reported included irritated eyes, nose bleeds, coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, and symptoms similar to bronchitis and asthma.
The Florida Department of Health is currently investigating over 100 such claims and its report is expected soon. Initial engineering analysis by the Department of Health found that Chinese drywall samples emitted "volatile sulfur compounds" and that trace amounts of strontium sulfide were present in drywall samples. Studies are ongoing to determine what quantities and exposure time to these potentially dangerous compounds are required to result in toxic damages.
Contact our office to discuss your defective Chinese drywall claim. We can assist you in identifying expert consulting companies to test your home and determine whether the Chinese drywall is present in your home. Although several class action lawsuits have already been filed, we are continuing to evaluate the claims on an individual claim basis as the cases unfold.
Gould Cooksey Fennell, P.A., Attorneys at Law, has offices in Vero Beach, Florida. The firm serves clients throughout the region including Brevard County, Indian River County, St. Lucie County, Martin County, Okeechobee County and Palm Beach County. This includes the following cities: Melbourne, Palm Bay, Fellsmere, Sebastian, Vero Beach, Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Okeechobee and West Palm Beach, Florida.