Headline News: Home & Auto

PR Newswire — October 8, 2009

    Immediate State and Federal Investigation necessary to protect homeowners

    who are the ultimate victims of this drywall catastrophe

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ - Since the discovery that toxic Chinese drywall has devastated homes in Florida, attorney Mike Ryan, from Krupnick Campbell Malone, has worked tirelessly to help find relief for homeowners. Now, some homeowners impacted by defective drywall who made insurance claims against their homeowners’ insurance policies are being told by their insurance companies that their policies will be dropped or not renewed.

Ryan, a partner at Krupnick Campbell Malone Buser Slama Hancock Liberman & McKee, announced “As if this situation is not bad enough for these homeowners who cannot live in their homes and who are working desperately save their biggest investment, now some homeowners’ insurance companies who have denied coverage for the drywall catastrophe have the audacity to abandon homeowners after years of taking their money.”

According to Ryan, “Today, we are calling on State and Federal officials to investigate these insurance companies and their conduct. We are also demanding immediate legislative reform to bring Florida in line with the majority of states where there may be coverage for homeowners under these circumstances and to begin taking back our state from the insurance companies.”

Ryan has traveled to Tallahassee and Washington D.C. to meet with elected officials, demanding response to the needs of homeowners. Ryan represents over 250 homeowners individually throughout the State of Florida. Ryan explained, “We will go to Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. to find a solution because the shelf life on patience and hope for these homeowners is running out.”

“This is a silent hurricane, with a path of destruction throughout Florida and the country,” said Ryan. “But, it is worse than a hurricane in some sense because not only are insurance companies denying they will pay for the damage, now they are threatening to abandon Florida families during Hurricane season. We need our political leaders and business partners to understand how critical this situation is and to take action.”

The Chinese drywall has been reported to emit sulfur gases when exposed to moisture. It is believed to be the cause of failing electrical wiring and AC systems, increasing reports of foul odors, and numerous alleged health issues.

The drywall was imported from China and installed during the building boom of

2004 to 2007.

CONTACT: Michelle Friedman of Boardroom Communications at (954) 370-8999, (561) 706-4585, mfriedman@boardroompr.com

SOURCE Krupnick, Campbell, Malone, Buser, Slama, Hancock, Liberman & McKee