In a victory for Florida litigants seeking damages, a Miami-Dade Circuit judge has ruled that a Chinese manufacturer of drywall is subject to U.S jurisdiction.
From 2005 to 2008, hundreds-of-millions of square feet of gypsum wallboard manufactured in China (Chinese Drywall) was exported to the United States. Much of this drywall ended up in homes along the East Coast and Gulf South as a result of high demand in the wake of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
After installation of the drywall, owners and occupants began reporting unusual odors emanating from the product. Chinese drywall was also blamed for the corrosion of electrical items and other products, which led to property damage and safety risks in the affected homes. Complaints of health problems, such as eye irritation, respiratory problems, nosebleeds, and headaches, started spiking.
Soon, seemingly everyone was suing the manufacturers of imported Chinese drywall.
The largest manufacturer in this drama, Taishan Gypsum Co Ltd., has been dragging its feet, claiming that the U.S. has no jurisdiction over the company because all of its drywall sales were conducted in China. The Florida judge found that wasn’t so and cited several instances of Taishan conducting business in Florida, making them subject to U.S. jurisdiction.
Although the current ruling only affects suits in Florida state proceedings, it is expected to provide a roadmap for homebuilders and homeowners in other parts of the country seeking to hold Taishan accountable in U.S. state courts.
It is the duty of manufacturers, no matter where they are located, to make products that are safe for the consumer. If your property has been damaged or if you have suffered from health problems due to a defective product, you have the right to seek compensation for damages. When you need an experienced legal team on your side, contacting the product liability lawyers at Farah & Farah in Jacksonville is a smart move. Call us today at (800) 533-3555 to discuss your case.
