"Sweeping Drywall Ruling Finds for Homeowners"

"In a landmark ruling on contaminated Chinese drywall, a federal judge in New Orleans awarded $2.6 million in damages Thursday to the owners of seven Virginia homes ruined by the tainted wallboard.

U.S. District Court Judge Eldon E. Fallon's decision went far beyond federal regulators' recent recommendations for fixing homes, and because the judge is overseeing the combined drywall litigation, his ruling could affect thousands of victims.

Fallon, who rose to national prominence by handling the complex Vioxx litigation, will not decide drywall cases involving health claims until future trials, but his ruling Thursday stated that the material was 'clearly irritating and harmful to residents.'"

Aaron Kessler reports for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune April 9, 2010.