Toxicology expert witnesses will be testifying in the consolidated case against Chinese drywall manufacturers in New Orleans although South Florida attorneys argued that Miami would be a better location because a majority of Chinese drywall problems and lawsuits have occurred there. The problems first cropped up in southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast cities. The drywall was imported following hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2005, after the housing boom and rebuilding efforts created a material shortage among domestic suppliers.
In addition to Florida, lawsuits have been filed in Louisiana, Virginia and Ohio among other states. The Florida Department of Health is tracking more than 440 complaints about the defective high-sulfur drywall.
Excerpted from TampaBayBizJournal.com.