14 Insurers Sued Over Chinese Drywall

Aggrieved homeowners have filed suit against 14 insurance companies in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana.

The suit targets insurers who wrote policies for Bonita, Springs  Fla.-based homebuilder WCI Communities Inc., which went bankrupt after claims arose that the homes built by WCI contained defective Chinese manufactured drywall. After the company's bankruptcy, a trust, the WCI Chinese Drywall Trust was established to represent some 700 homeowners.

The plaintiffs allege the defective drywall damage their property and led to health issues. The insurance companies have denied coverage or failed to acknowledge claims made by the contractors or several subcontractors.

The insurance companies named in the suit are: American International Specialty Lines Insurance Co., American Guarantee and Liability Insurance Co., Amerisure Insurance Co., Amerisure Mutual Insurance Co., Auto-owners Insurance Co., FCCI Commercial Insurance Co, Hermitage Insurance Co., Illinois Union Insurance Co., Landmark American Insurance Co., Lexington Insurance Co., Mid-Continent Casualty Co., National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa., Old Republic Insurance Co., Scottsdale Insurance Co. and Steadfast Insurance Co.

Attorney Robert Horkovich of New York-based Anderson Kill & Olick, P.C. is the plaintiff's lead counsel.

 

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