Legal Briefs
Ivy Group Consultants, Inc. is not a law firm and issues no legal opinions, but offers information that may be helpful to our clients.
The Ivy Group issues the following summary of the recent ruling on a major case involving Chinese Drywall in seven Virginia homes:
Judge Fallon just issued his ruling in the Germano case. The average cost for repairing the subject homes in Virginia is $86 per square foot. The total amount of the Final Judgment against Taishan for the seven families is: $2,609,129.99
Damages were based on the following remediation protocol:
- Removal and replacement of all drywall in the home
- Removal and replacement of all electrical wiring – it is not feasible to clean wiring to render them free of risk of future failure
- Removal and replacement of all copper pipes in the home removal and replacement of the entire HVAC system
- Removal and replacement of all insulation in the home. Most appliances need to be replaced (particularly refrigerators)
- Replacement of electronics, such as TVs and computers and anything with a circuit board
- Carpet must be replaced (not cost effective to clean and store)
- Hardwood and vinyl flooring must be replaced. Hardwood flooring has been damaged by virtue of the heat/humidity
- Tile floor should be replaced unless it can be properly protected during remediation
- Removal and replacement of cabinets, countertops, trim, crown molding and baseboards
- Removal and replacement of all bathroom fixtures
- After removal of all drywall, property must be cleaned with HEPA vacuum, wet-wiped or power-washed and allowed to air out for 15-30 days
- Property must be certified by an independent engineering company to certify that the remediated home is safe
- Temporary housing will be necessary for 4-6 months
Note, Judge Fallon denied damages for diminished value as it is too speculative at this time.
For the full ruling, click here (PDF)
Summary courtesy of Mr. Ron Bailey, P.E., author of www.themoldmanual.com
