Chinese drywall mediation describes a legal process in which two or more parties disputing the dangers versus the safety of Chinese drywall attempt to settle their dispute in the presence of a neutral, third-party mediator. Rather than making the decision in the dispute, the mediator is present to try to promote a productive discussion between the disputing parties to aid them in reaching a mutually beneficial settlement.
Within the past few years, Chinese drywall mediation has become an increasingly popular legal recourse due to growing public awareness that:
- About 540 million pounds of defective drywall was imported by the U.S. from China between 2004 and 2008, and it was used to build as many as 65,000 homes throughout the U.S.
- Chinese drywall has the potential to cause some structural damage to a home, as well as some health problems due to exposure. To date, known health problems may include asthma attacks, breathing difficulties, sinus infections, nose/eye/skin irritation, chronic headaches, etc. These problems are more likely to develop as the drywall ages, crumbles more easily, and is more likely to emit toxic dust particles into the air.
- Although the long-term effects of Chinese drywall exposure are still unknown (and are still being researched), some researchers suspect that they include nerve damage, lung cancer and, in the worst cases, death.
Benefits of Chinese Drywall Mediation
When a plaintiff has a defective device claim, he has a number of legal options, including mediation, arbitration or litigation, if he chooses to stand up for his legal rights and seek a settlement for his injuries and losses. The most appropriate option for a particular case will depend on the circumstances of the case, as well as the plaintiff’s needs.
Those for whom Chinese drywall mediation is a good choice include plaintiffs who want to:
- Save money on legal fees, as mediation processes tend to be less expensive than going to trial
- Settle their case in less time, as the litigation process can drag out for months or years
- Reach a settlement that covers matters that typically don’t fall under the category of a “legal” issue
- Achieve a sense of empowerment by being involved in the day-to-day legal proceedings associated with Chinese drywall mediation.
Prospective plaintiffs are welcome to learn more about their legal rights, as well as to receive professional advice regarding the best manner in which to proceed with their case, by attending a free initial consultation with an experienced Chinese drywall lawyer.
