Tag: Mininno Law Office

Taishan Gypsum Victims awarded $2.6 Million – Money They May Never See

Previously, we posted a blog about foreign manufacturers who manufacture defective products without consequence; specifically, Chinese drywall manufacturer Taishan Gypsum. The company has exported an estimated 10 million pounds of drywall to the United States through ports in Florida and New York.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 3,000 complaints have been filed against the company, involving complications and property damage caused by the drywall. Tests have shown that the damage was caused by sulfur emissions from the gypsum board.

“These emissions have caused significant amounts of property damage to homes built with the Chinese made material. Reported damage includes that of HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, and metal plumbing components. The emissions have been linked to metal corrosion. They cause a sulfurous odor that permeates the house, and may be the cause of eye, respiratory, and sinus problems.”

This Thursday, April 8, 2010, U.S. District Judge Eldon Fallon awarded 2.6 million dollars to 7 Virginia families whose homes will have to be virtually rebuilt due to the damage caused by the defective drywall. Judge Fallon’s summary judgment details the extensive amounts of gutting that will be required to remove traces and side effects of the dry wall. All drywall must be removed, and copper pipes, electrical wiring, appliances, cabinets, trim, molding, countertops, hardwood floors, and bathroom fixtures will need to be replaced.
Unfortunately, lawsuits were limited solely to property damages, and did not address the probable effects of sulfur emissions to the health of homeowners.

But homeowners are less concerned with recoveries only including property damage, and more concerned that the likelihood they will receive their compensation is almost non-existent. With no international laws or regulations in place legally holding Taishan Gypsum responsible for the defective drywall and the damages it caused, there is no way to ensure payment. Foreign manufacturers do not have to honor civil lawsuit decisions from the United States regarding their defective products.
Taishan Gypsum never responded to any one of the lawsuits filed against them, nor did they send anyone to represent them in the U.S. federal court. It is unclear to the plaintiffs what will happen with the money owed them. Plaintiff attorneys have proposed seizing Taishan Gypsum inventory on U.S. soil, and on ships in U.S. waters, but no decisions regarding any further action have been made.

Taishan Gypsum is just one of many cross-border liability cases that have not seen or will not see a resolution due to lack of international regulations. Defective product manufacturers in The United States are held liable for their defects, and so too should manufacturers out of the country. There is currently a motion to pass the Foreign Manufacturers’ Legal Accountability Act which would force foreign manufacturers, like Taishan Gypsum, to honor decisions made in US civil trials, and to be responsible for their defective products.

If you have suffered damage, injury, or loss due to a defective product in New Jersey, whether it be manufactured in the United States or overseas, the New Jersey defective product lawyers at Mininno Law Firm want to help you. Contact us or call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

New Jersey wrongful death attorneys have seen the impact of a tragic loss

New Jersey wrongful death attorneys have seen it all. We’ve heard the horror stories. We’ve seen the sorrow in families’ eyes of those who have lost a loved one.

 

Recently, our New Jersey wrongful death attorneys heard some very sad news on both the local and national level. Two teens lost their lives last week after being struck by a high-speed Amtrak train in Norwood, Pa. Also last week, Marie Osmond’s 18-year-old son Michael Blosil took his own life. Add on the news about the earthquake in Chile this past weekend, and it’s been a rough seven days for everyone.

 

According to Suicide.org, there were 32,637 suicides in the United States in 2005. Exactly 536 came from New Jersey and 1,430 occurred in the state of Pennsylvania. Even though New Jersey and Pennsylvania rates are low compared to other states, those are tough numbers to swallow. Multiply those numbers by the amount of people affected, and the results are astronomical.

 

Suicide is never the answer

As a New Jersey wrongful death attorney, we know how much pain people experience when they lose someone they love. If you’re having any suicidal thoughts, please tell someone. Tell anyone. Whether it’s your best friend or just an acquaintance, people will listen. Whatever your problem is, suicide won’t solve it. But most of all, think of the ones you love. Think of your family. Think of your friends. Think about how they would feel if they lost you. Here’s another way to look at it. Think about the person you love the most, and think about how you would feel if you lost him or her.

 

New Jersey wrongful death attorneys can help you

 

If you’ve recently lost a loved one, we can’t begin to imagine what you’re going through. However, we can tell you that you’re not alone, and there are people and resources out there that can help you. If you’ve recently lost someone you love, please visit our resources on mourning from the death of a loved one.

Do you have questions or answers for a New Jersey wrongful death attorney?

Add a comment to our blog and tell us what’s on your mind. At the Mininno Law Office, you can talk to a New Jersey wrongful death attorney who can answer your questions about your loved one. We have experienced NJ lawyers who handle these cases all too often. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Help keep elders safe with simple acts of kindness that will brighten their day

Together, we can help keep elders safe. If we each chip in and do our part, we can make life better for senior citizens. After all, one small, good deed can change a person’s day. In light of the recent weather, I thought of an easy way we can help.

How can I help keep elders safe?

This winter, a record snowfall has hit the greater Philadelphia region. Some sidewalks are still unshoveled, roads are slushy and driveways are icy. If you see elderly people trying to cross the street, help them out. They’ll surely be grateful you offered.

The slippery slush can be dangerous for anyone walking around, but older people may not have the balance or physical strength that you do. Older people are more susceptible to injury. Put simply, the human body becomes more fragile with age. A slip and fall may not harm you or me, but an older person might wind up in the hospital. More on this tomorrow.

It’s important to help keep elders safe because abuse and neglect are both still problems in our society today. Older people need our guidance more often than not. Unfortunately, even nursing homes aren’t as safe as they could be, and if you have a loved one in a home, there are a number of signs you should be looking for to make sure your relative is safe and sound.

Meanwhile, more snow is coming, so keep elders safe by lending a hand where you can. The snow will soon melt and turn to ice, which will be even more dangerous. Watch out for icicles falling from rooftops. Be careful out there.

Do you have questions or answers about nursing homes?

Add a comment to our blog about how you keep elders safe. At the Mininno Law Office, you can talk to a nursing home abuse lawyer to answer your questions about your loved one. We have experienced NJ attorneys who handle these cases all too often. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.