According to the News Press, more than 1,800 Florida homeowners will be splitting up a $248 million settlement resulting from a lawsuit over defective drywall imported from China. The drywall emitted fumes that smelled of sulfur, corroded fixtures, and raised health concerns. The problem spread through 44 states and affected an estimated 20,000 homes - most of them in Florida.
The settlement approved by a federal judge in New Orleans last month resolves two suits — and potentially more than 3,000 claims — filed against Taishan Gypsum Ltd., the China-owned company that sold much of the defective drywall in the United States, beginning in 2009.
Victims include Shane and Darlene Biltz of Collier County, who thought they had found the perfect home to raise a family, a 3,300-square-foot residence in Golden Gate Estates. Darlene Biltz said the discovery was heart-breaking.
"When we bought the house, we bought it as a forever home, we wanted to raise our children in that home, we wanted to have our animals in that home, we wanted to bring our family together in that home," she said. "I mean it’s a beautiful home but it’s not one that we could have been in forever because of health issues."
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