Seeger Weiss Commences First Chinese Drywall Trial

This litigation, which is expected to include thousands of claimants asserting property damage and personal injury claims, was centralized in the Eastern District of Louisiana in June 2009 by order of the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. Mr. Seeger’s PSC appointment, follows his vast experience and proven leadership in other large, complex litigations, including the Vioxx® Products Liability Litigation, for which Chris Seeger and others negotiated a $4.85 billion settlement on behalf of thousands of plaintiffs.

The use of Chinese-manufactured drywall in the construction of residential and commercial properties is a growing problem across the United States. This product is reported to contain high levels of hydrogen sulfides, compounds that when exposed to prolonged heat or humidity, release sulfur gasses resulting in: terrible “rotten egg” odors; corrosion of air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems; corrosion of metal surfaces and appliances; and physical injuries including but not limited to respiratory problems, nosebleeds, and headaches. It is believed that contaminated drywall may have first entered the United States as early as 2001.

The housing boom across the country combined with the massive reconstruction efforts in Gulf Coast states including Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and other large storms created a high demand for drywall over the last several years. This demand peaked in 2005 when the rebuilding efforts caused a massive drywall shortage, a gap filled by Chinese drywall manufacturers who flooded the market with their tainted products. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 homes and commercial properties were either repaired or constructed with the Chinese drywall between 2005 and 2006.