Drywall Class Action Lawsuit (Lowe's)

[m1gunner]

I understand this has been "common knowledge" for over a year, but I just found out about it.

I have some of the questionable drywall. And, I have been having a very high failure rate on electrical and copper equipment. I wasn't looking to sue anyone, just figured a huge run of bad luck. I haven't been documenting the failures and problems, just fixing or deferring repair (if possible) as they came up.

So far I have had to replace $1000 in equipment, and am looking at possibly another 5 - 6 thousand in the next month . If I have to remove and replace all the drywall and wiring, it will run into the tens of thousands of dollars.



Looks like there is a deadline in 2 weeks to submit claims. Does the money have to already been spent? Repair estimates acceptable?

Can I file an insurance claim and let my insurance company go after Lowe's?

Anyone gone through this yet?

 

[Rule3]

It's a epidemic down here in Florida where so many homes where built during the housing boom with Chinese Drywall. It's not only equipment failure (due to sulfur content) but a major health issue.

Welcome to Chinesedrywall.com

Defective Chinese Drywall Florida - Class Action Lawsuit

 

[Frank46]

Same here in Louisiana. After the hurricanes a lot of the chinese drywall was installed. Caused corrosion of the electrical components between it and the studs. Also proven to be a health hazard from whatever it was made out of. Frank

 

[Leonard]

If you can prove damages you should have a claim.

I know of cases where the builders were aggressive gutting and repairing the homes they built using Chinese drywall.

 

[m1gunner]

If you can prove damages you should have a claim.

I know of cases where the builders were aggressive gutting and repairing the homes they built using Chinese drywall.

That's the rub. Lowe's has already settled a class action suit, and I can be part of it, but I don't know the total of my damages. Their settlement won't cover what I already know about.

My option it to file an "opt out" on their settlement and file my own action.

That involves hiring my own lawyer. Hiring out my own chemical analysis. And trying to show in court where low concentration of these chemicals caused me damage over a 5 to 6 year period of time. I would likely also have to prove these chemicals are unique to Lowe's product, and not present in any other household materials.

In short, I do not see winning a case if I go at it on my own, I do not have the resources to sue a large corporation with the max expected damages of $50,000.

 

[Leonard]

I am a general contractor and helping a friend out who has several hundred thousand dollars in home damages due to poor construction. You will need a very aggressive trial lawyer as well as forensic type architects or engineer testimony. From this experience you will easily spend 50K as it will probably become an insurance claim as is his against the builders or Lowes insurance company and they will fight for their cheapest way out pushing you to spend this money preparing for litigation.

I suggest you look into becoming part of the class action settlement. From what I understand the homes are gutted of drywall, insulation, copper. Not sure of the effect if any on the HVAC and assume plastic water and drain lines remain. Find a contractor with experience and get an estimate but register your complaint before the deadline

 

[Rule3]

Gather up your receipts, pictures if you took any and sign up for the class action. I sure am no Lawyer but from what I have read and seen around here, the homes are completely gutted. So it's like building a car from parts, it costs 10 times as much.

Again, I do not know about how Lowes settled but they didn't make the drywall, they are the middleman, so I would guess that there are others in the line to become part of the claim. Who supplied Lowes, who made it and trickle on down or up.

Good Luck!

 

[sipowicz]

Kind of ironic that their wall held up for thousands of years but when they make walls for us....

 

[m1gunner]

For those that haven't seen the settlement, the most I stand to receive ranges from a $2,000 store credit at Lowes to the credit plus $2,500 in additional cash.

This doesn't even cover the taxes I will end up paying on materials and labor to repair the damage.