Federal Judge Will Set Chinese Drywall Damages for 2,700 Homeowners

Lawyers for homeowners in seven states say they have a simple way to help the 2,700 who have spent years in what lawyers call a toxic environment caused by Chinese drywall.

Chris Seeger told U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon as trial began Tuesday that their formula is based on contractors’ bids adjusted for local costs.

Manufacturer Taishan Gypsum Co.’s lawyer, Michael Kenny, says the formula is based on seven Virginia houses and cannot be applied everywhere.

Kenny also said Taishan found errors in earlier figures, cutting plaintiffs’ requests from nearly $1.3 billion in class damages to $502 million.

He asked Fallon not to certify class damages.

Plaintiffs attorney Daniel Becnel said during a break that $800 million in claims dropped from the class action remain alive and will be tried separately.