Chinese drywall settlements are monetary awards granted to those who have sustained any financial loss or physical injury as a result of using or being exposed to defective drywall that the U.S. imported from China from 2004 to 2008. During this time period, Chinese drywall was used to rebuild homes in the aftermath of the 2004 and 2005 hurricane season while also being extensively used to build homes throughout the U.S. during the subsequent housing boom.
As the years have passed, an increasing number of homeowners whose homes contain Chinese drywall have filed more than 3,700 formal complaints with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In these complaints, homeowners have alleged that Chinese drywall has:
- Caused structural damage to their homes. Examples of such damage include corrosion of wiring and copper fixtures, a foul odor (similar to that of a rotten egg), and malfunction of major appliances.
- Resulted in health complications, including sinus infections, bloody noses, chronic headaches, and skin/eye irritation. Although the long-term side effects associated with exposure to Chinese drywall are still unknown, some researchers contend that, over time, exposure to Chinese drywall can result in permanent nerve damage (neuropathy), lung cancer, and death. Research regarding such effects is ongoing.
How to Secure a Chinese Drywall Settlement
Those who suspect that they have been victimized by defective Chinese drywall should attend a free initial consultation with a Chinese drywall attorney to learn more about their legal rights and to receive a professional evaluation of their case. Individuals who have a viable legal claim will be entitled to Chinese drywall compensation that will cover their outstanding medical bills, ongoing treatment costs, permanent disabilities, pain and suffering, and any other financial losses.
Currently, Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, one of the primary manufacturers of Chinese drywall, is facing thousands of lawsuits regarding this defective product. Additionally, to date, the U.S. CPSC has received more than 3,700 reports regarding claims of defective Chinese drywall. Given that experts estimate that about 65,000 U.S. homes (possibly more) were constructed with Chinese drywall, it’s clear that the number of lawsuits filed and the number of Chinese drywall settlements that are awarded will continue to increase in the future.
