EIFS is a synthetic building cladding material introduced to New Jersey in the early 1980s. It was designed to mimic the look of real stucco, yet be easier and cheaper for homebuilders to install. Unfortunately, EIFS has also brought with it a host of shortcomings, notably drainage and moisture intrusion problems on wood-frame residential construction that began to emerge in 1995. As these barrier EIFS systems began to fail, many families discovered extensive rotting around windows, doors and other external frame penetrations. Worse, others found substantial internal frame rotting and damage to their homes. Still others reported pest infestation and even extensive mold growth. That situation would be bad enough if it were a surprise. But, it wasn't.

In fact, they knew all along...

Construction Law Updates

  • Stark & Stark Joins HADD to Urge New Jersey Supreme Court to Uphold Homeowner Tort Remedies Against Manufacturers of Defective Building Components The law firm of Stark & Stark, P.C. has joined forces with Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings (HADD) to file an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief urging the New Jersey Supreme Court to allow homeowners to pursue tort remedies against manufacturers of defective building components. ....
  • Stark & Stark's New Website Stark & Stark is pleased to announce the launch of its newly designed website at www.stark-stark.com. The design of the new site is intended to make it easier for visitors to access information, find attorney biographies, and research information on the many services Stark & Stark offers. The new home page offers easy access to information on individual offices, a sign-up page for industry specific newsletters and updates on the firm's active involvement in local community organizations. ....
  • Corrosion Linked To Chinese Drywall A recent article on CBS reports that the federal government has found a "strong association" between defective Chinese drywall and corrosion of pipes and wires in homes where the drywall has been found. This confirmation supports complaints made by thousands of homeowners throughout the United States over the last year. ....
  • Chinese Drywall Manufacturer Offers to Streamline Lawsuits in Federal Court An article online this week states that Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co. Ltd., one of the leading defendants in a consolidated federal court lawsuit against drywall manufacturers in China, offered homeowners who sign up for he omnibus class action by December 2, 2009 and show proof that their homes were built with KPT drywall won't have to pay $15,000 to serve the company in China through the Hague Convention, according to an order issued Monday by United States District Court Judge Eldon Fallon. This offer will speed up the proceedings, reduce costs and aid in the consolidation of the disputes in federal court. ....
  • Chinese Drywall Update: Tenebaum Brings Little Relief To US After Trip to China A recent report in the Wall Street Journal details the ongoing frustrations of US homeowners who have been affected by the defective Chinese drywall epidemic. Homeowners were hopeful that Inez Tenebaum, Chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, would bring relief back to the US after a recent visit to China. Prior to the trip, Tenenbaum said she would speak to Chinese officials in an effort to gauge their willingness to help pay for the estimated $15-$25 billion dollars in damages. ....
  • Insurance Companies Deny Claims, Drop Policies I found an article on line this week which reports that in the wake of the defective Chinese drywall epidemic, insurance Companies have started to deny claims, and even worse, refusing to renew entire policies. Thousands of homeowners nationwide have been affected by the defective building materials are now finding little assistance. ....
  • Chinese Drywall: The Next EIFS? Though the final number has yet to be determined, recent reports state that the total cost of damages from Chinese drywall could reach $25 billion. Most reports place the final number somewhere between $15 and $25 billion, while others state that after repairs and litigation costs, the $25 billion mark could be surpassed. ....
  • Chinese Drywall Found in Las Vegas A recent report states that the Chinese drywall problem has moved west. Homeowners in Las Vegas have found instances of Chinese drywall in their homes, and have filed a class action lawsuit. The suit states that the drywall is causing health problems for homeowners in two Las Vegas neighborhoods. ....
  • Tax Rebate for Homeowners With Chinese Drywall For those who have found that their homes were constructed or remodeled in recent years with defective drywall imported from China, relief may be on the way. But it may not be as easy to get as some may think. Though State and Federal government officials have been working to determine how to distribute a tax rebate to those homeowners affected by the Chinese drywall epidemic, it is not an open and shut case for those who want to receive funds. ....
  • Consumer Products Safety Commission States Chinese Drywall is Not Radioactive After conducting tests on 21 samples of Chinese drywall, the Consumer Products Safety Commission reported that there was no presence of radioactive phosphogypsum in the drywall samples. Earlier this year reports claimed that the defective drywall imported from China was made with phosphogypsum, which contains radioactive properties. ....