Masonite Settlement

In order to submit a claim in regards to the Masonite Class Action lawsuit a Class Member must complete certain steps.  The first step to make a claim for part of the Masonite Settlement is to fill out the Claim Form and follow procedures for damage that has not been repaired and correct product identification.  To show that it is in fact Masonite Hardboard Siding a person or business submitting a claim form must submit a 6”x6” sample of hardboard siding, proof of communication with Masonite, a $100 deposit which will be refunded if an Inspector deems the siding is Masonite, an invoice warranty from Masonite or a photograph of said siding with Masonite stamp on it.

Step two for having a Masonite Settlement claim verified is to have an Inspector come out to your home to verify you have compensable damage.  The Independent Inspector will come to your home to perform an independent objective inspection.  The Inspector is not going to discuss your claim but instead going to forward your claim directly to the Independent Claims Administrator.  The Independent Claims Inspector will then determine the size of your Masonite settlement based on the Compensation Formula.

Under the Masonite Settlement an eligible Class Member may make a claim for Un-Reimbursed Expenditures associated with Masonite Hardboard Siding.  To make a claim for this section of the Masonite Settlement you must fill out a claims form, provide proof that the siding in question is Masonite Hardboard Siding, proof the siding was damaged, and the damaged was repaired without knowledge of the Masonite Class Action lawsuit and the cost of the repair.  For proof of this part of the Masonite Settlement you must show photos of the damaged Masonite Hardboard Siding and documents such as bills or an invoice verifying it was Masonite Hardboard Siding.

When you are clarifying Damage under the Masonite settlement there are several things to look for.  Masonite damage would result in swell in the siding exceeding tolerance percentage, fungal degradation resulting in soft boards which when pressed by your thumb a hole is created, fiber bundles, cracking of Colorlock finish, surface welting around nail heads.  Damage under the Masonite settlement is not conditions that require routine painting, damage resulting from any natural disaster or other similar event.

There may be exceptions to Damage under the Masonite settlement if the framing has been misaligned, a sprinkler has sprayed the Masonite, missing nail studs, improper roof or wall flashing or by the failure of a chimney cricket to extend to the edge of the chimney.  An Independent Inspector is the one who will determine if the damage to your Masonite Hardboard Siding fits within the parameters of the Masonite settlement.

The final two steps under the Masonite settlement claims portion of the Masonite Class Action lawsuit state that you are not limited to a single claim and that you have a seven/ten year window to file a claim in.  If you purchased Masonite Hardboard Siding between 1980 and 1989 then you have until January 15, 2005 to make a claim.  If you purchased Masonite Hardboard Siding between 1990 and 1998 then you have until January 15, 2008 to make a claim.  If you want to take part in the Masonite settlement but you have passed the expired claim times then you must solely refer to your Masonite Hardboard Siding warranty.

Masonite Class Action

Many houses built from 1980 to 1998 were sided with a series of Masonite products that did not live up to the advertised performance expectations and new owners of those houses may be interested in learning about the Masonite class action lawsuits that were settled on January 15, 1998 and August 7, 1998, . The lawsuits specifically have to do with products called Masonite Hardboard siding and Masonite Omniwood siding, and they were used externally as an alternative to wood, vinyl, or aluminum siding.

The items involved in the Masonite class action lawsuit are forms of an engineered wood product. Both versions are composed of wood fiber, such as sawdust or wood shavings, that is combined with various waxes, resins, and other materials to form a solid composite material. The siding was distributed in two versions. A lapboard version was manufactured that mimics the look of traditional over-lapped wood siding. The second type involved in the lawsuit was manufactured in full sheets. Both versions were available in various finishes and they were manufactured with textured surfaces that mimicked the grain of real wood.

Both product lines involved in the Masonite class action lawsuits were guaranteed to last a certain amount of time, in good condition. Unfortunately, the products would often swell, buckle, rot, or otherwise deteriorate long before the warranty expired. Sometimes, the failure of the siding would cause other damage to the structure onto which it was installed, by allowing water to come in contact with surfaces that the siding was intended to protect.

Those who have been affected by these products have a limited amount of time to benefit from the Masonite class action lawsuits. The Hardboard settlement will expire on January 15, 2008. Homeowners who have Omniwood siding installed have until January 6, 2009 to file a claim. Those who have suffered loss from these products and whish to join the Masonite class action lawsuits should speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.

Masonite Siding Class Action

Many people used Masonite siding as a material to build their house. Masonite siding ended up being a bad choice in home construction. Over the past decade many lawsuits having to do with Masonite siding have arose. Masonite siding was easily damaged and ruined in many cases, leading to a Masonite siding class action lawsuit.

Since so many people reported damage to their Masonite siding, a Masonite siding class action suit was started to earn money for those who suffered damages to their home. Faulty siding on the outside of your home can lead to a number of more serious problems. The siding or other exterior coating on your home serves as a protective coating against harmful forces such as weather. Rain and snow can cause water damage to your home that can lead to mold and bacteria infesting your home. If mold or bacteria begin to grow in your home, it can lead to more severe, toxic forms of mold and bacteria that can be not only harmful to your house but to you and your family’s health as well. In addition to problems such as water damage, the problems with Masonite siding included the look of the outside of the home. No one wants the outside of their home to look damaged. The Masonite siding class action suit presents a number of problems that resulted from the faulty installation of certain kinds of Masonite siding.

The lawsuits against Masonite siding hurt the sales of this type of siding. If you purchase a home that has Masonite siding you must be very careful. More information on Masonite siding and the Masonite siding class action lawsuit can be found on the Internet. It is important to read about the problems of Masonite siding if you are going to be involved in the purchase of a house that has it.

Construction Mediation

If your home or another building that you own is experiencing problems that result from poor construction, your first instinct may be litigation.  If you’re choking on mold spores or if your ceiling falls in because of water damage, you may have a good case, especially if your house is newer.  However, construction mediation is a good alternative to litigation that may save you time and trouble in the long run.

Construction mediation means that your attorney will meet with attorneys who represent the builder.  Usually, some sort of compromise will be made, which means that both parties save money on legal costs. You may not win the vast amounts of money you could win by actually suing, but you risk much less in legal costs should you lose.   A settlement reached via construction mediation can be a good way for a builder to avoid the bad publicity associated with litigation, so they will have a strong incentive to negotiate with your attorney.  In addition to saving money on legal costs, mediation is typically less of a hassle than full-blown litigation. 

As part of mediation, you will want to demonstrate the problems your home is having.  It’s a good idea to get an inspector to list the construction problems that have become evident, and to get contractor estimates (on the high end) for what it would cost to fix.   If your construction mediation goes well, you should at least get money to cover your costs of repair, and hopefully you would get additional funds to compensate for the trouble and problems you’ve experienced as a result of shoddy  construction.  Construction mediation is an alternative to the expense and time consumed in litigation, and is often better for both parties. Mediation also can be faster than the process of litigation, as legal cases can take quite a while to be resolved via the court system.

Masonite Siding Lawsuit

If you have had Masonite siding installed in your home or business chances are good that you have heard of the Masonite Class Action lawsuit against Masonite Hardboard Siding.  The Masonite Siding Lawsuit was brought to the Circuit Court of Mobile Alabama in 1994 and settled on January 15, 1998.  People and businesses all over the country can benefit from the Masonite Siding Lawsuit settlement.

If you have proof of damage associated with Masonite Hardboard Siding then you are eligible to participate in the Masonite Siding Lawsuit.  You must submit your claim form for Masonite siding that is in current state of failure or a claim form for Masonite siding that has already been repaired for your unreimbursed expenses.  You must make sure that you have un-reputable proof that it was Masonite siding that failed such as bills, invoices and photographs.

If you have sold your home or already submitted a claim without the help of an attorney then you are still able to submit a claim.  As long as you have proof that you went through a process of failure due to Masonite Hardboard Siding you are eligible for a piece of the Masonite settlement under the Masonite Siding Lawsuit.  You are entitled to a refund of any amount of expenses that were not covered for your Masonite repair or any amount that was not previously returned to you when you submitted your previous claim without the help of a lawyer.

Before you begin your claim you may want to hire an Independent Inspector to access the damage done to your property.  You will need to have an inspector come out to your home at some time during the process of receiving your Masonite settlement so you want to make sure your claim will fit the guidelines of the Masonite Siding Lawsuit.  If you follow the guidelines set out in the Masonite Siding Lawsuit then you may get retribution for a failed Masonite product in your home. 

Construction Law Firm

If you have used EIFS products to refurbish your home or business only to have it fail not soon after due to water damage then you should speak to a construction law firm.  There is no need for you to have to suffer from water damage that could lead to mold and infections when a good construction law firm can get you compensation for your damages and get the work replaced. EIFS is a great product but if it was installed poorly then it can lead to a myriad of problems.

The folks at construction law firms have seen all the problems that poor insulation and ventilation can cause to your home.  If water gets trapped in your walls and the proper steps have not been taken to assure that water can easily escape then you will end up with mold.  Mold, and specifically black mold, can result in mycotoxins that will get into the air and cause carcinogen gas that can result in lung infections, ear infections, skin infections and flu-like symptoms.

Since removing mold can be a very time consuming and meticulous process, before you call a mold removal service, you should call a construction law firm.  The people at a construction law firm may have dealt with your previous contractors before and will know what the options are for you.  There may be a case pending on the company that you are currently having a problem with and a solution may be in the works for all the people who had work done by these folks.  By calling a construction law firm you will have people who understand what you are going through and who will help it get fixed for you. 

You may want to contact construction law firms before you have an EIFS system or other work done on your home or business.  A construction law firm will be able to tell you if a local contractor has had many problems in the past and what the company’s reputation is.  If you do a little bit of research on the onset of a project it may prevent you from having mold in the end.

Masonite Class Action Lawsuit

In 1994 Judy Naef along with other home owners across the country filed the Masonite Class Action lawsuit that came to be known as the case of Naef, et.al. V. Masonite Copr.,et.al. No. CV944033.  Ms. Naef brought the case against Masonite based on all Masonite Hardboard Siding that had been installed between January 1, 1980 and January 15, 1998.  The Masonite Class Action lawsuit lasted from 1994 to January 15, 1998.

The Masonite Class Action lawsuit was brought up on the basis of faulty product by Masonite.  Ms. Naef and others claimed Masonite was negligent, breached express warranties, and fraud.  It was said that siding manufactured by Masonite on or after January 1, 1980 will rot, buckle, deteriorate, discolor and damage other parts of the said building it was installed into.

On November 15, 1995 the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama declared the Masonite Class Action lawsuit official.  As the Masonite Class Action lawsuit was official a notice was published and “Class Members” were given the ability to opt out of the suit if they so desired.  “Class Members” are defined as people or businesses who own property where Masonite siding has been installed in the period of January 1, 1980 up to January 15, 1998.

In August of 1996 the first part of the Masonite Class Action lawsuit took place to define what defective meant.  At the close of the first part of the Masonite Class Action lawsuit it was decided that in some states the Plaintiff: Masonite, was covered and in some cases the Defendant: Class Members were covered.  At the end of the first part of the Masonite Class Action lawsuit there was no definition of what the settlement should be.

On January 15, 1998 the settlement of the Masonite Class Action lawsuit was determined.  The Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama settled on a compromise of action to be taken on behalf of the Defendants: Masonite.  The Masonite Class Action lawsuit was a large trial to make sure that the consumer is not being treated poorly or to poor product by the Masonite Corporation.  Masonite held firm that their product was not faulty. 

Construction Law Firms

Construction can be a tricky business. A lot of money goes into the construction of new homes and buildings. Whenever a lot of money and time is invested in something, there comes the threat of disagreements. In the business world, disagreements can often lead to lawsuits. This makes the job of construction law firms so important in the world of construction.

Lawsuits can arise in a variety of areas of construction. When buildings and homes are being constructed, many people and sometimes many companies can be included in the process. I one disagrees with the other or one does not hold up to their end of the agreement, a lawsuit can often result. Construction law firms specialize in lawsuits that center around construction. Construction law firms will take on a number of types of cases that have to do with the construction world.

If you are involved in a dispute having to do with the construction of a home or business, it is a smart idea to research different construction law firms in your area. Construction law firms can be found in different areas around the globe. With houses and buildings always being built, there is always a need for construction law firms.

When seeking the help of a lawyer for anything, it is important to find a lawyer who knows about the type of case you will be involved in. When it comes to construction, construction law firms are the way to go. Construction law firms specialize in matters having to do with construction so you can be sure that your lawyer will know his stuff when it comes to your construction problems. Construction law firms will defend both plaintiffs and defendants. No matter what your lawsuit may be about, you are sure to find a construction law firm right for you.

Construction Lawyer

Everyone dreams of owning their own home, having the opportunity to use their money to purchase something that will appreciate and not have to rent or pay someone to live in a place that does not belong to them.  While the American dream of owning a home is often a great one, sometimes people are not as lucky as they hoped, and sometimes come into contact with problems in their homes that can be hazardous to their safety and well being. 

When buying a new home, even a home that has just been built, it is often a good idea to contact a construction lawyer to see what they have to say about the home owners rights as a buyer and what to look for concerning construction when shopping for a home.  A construction lawyer can well a home buyer what elements must be in the home to make it safe, and which elements of construction should cause the home buyer to be nervous. 

For example, a construction lawyer can inform a home buyer about foundation construction, and what are signs of a good or bad foundation.  If a foundation shows lines where the cement has cracked, the construction lawyer can advice the homeowners what precautions they should take and what elements they should out into their offer, such as money requests for a fixed foundation or the request the foundation be fixed before the move in date.  Another good thing about a construction lawyer is that they can provide a homeowner or future homeowner with information concerning their rights if something were to go wrong soon after to move in date.

When purchasing a home, many homeowners who are not well versed in the construction of homes and the problems to look out for, it is a great idea to contact a construction lawyer to know what they are getting themselves into.  With the proper guidance, anyone can be a well informed homeowner, making the American dream because a flawless reality.

Construction Lawyers

The argument for having legal counsel on any endeavor is based on the fact that just about everything in this country has potential for a lawsuit. But instead of putting that in a negative perspective, one should see it positively on the side of caution and preparation. If you are involved for example in a building or real estate project, having legal counsel through experienced construction lawyers would make the experience a more fulfilling one.

Good construction lawyers should always advise you on how to do things right. Remedying problems is the last resort for people who may have already put the project in jeopardy out of a myriad of bad or misinformed decisions and inefficient planning. Excellent construction lawyers should have been with you from the start of the project when it was still on the drawing board. Capable construction lawyers should be able to guide you out of making bad and misinformed choices and assist you in drawing a sensible work process that conforms to the law and to construction standards and regulations.

Be aware that although construction labor can be rife with so many issues involving injuries, wrongful deaths and other physical problems, a construction company can mitigate the impact of such accidents and generally create a safe and less risky working situation through expert legal advice. Again, the last thing that one should do is to hire legal counsel when the problems are already there.

Good construction lawyers should be able to help you put up the foundations and parameters that will create that optimal working environment. Good legal counsel should be able to provide a full range of services that begin with matters of land acquisition, the complex drafting of contracts and bonds and even post-construction issues.

Consider retaining quality legal counsel not merely as an end to itself, or as a form of insurance against possible lawsuits and other legal challenges, but rather as a means of appreciating the satisfaction of having a project that is sensitive and fair to the needs and requirements of all involved, whether these needs may be personal or professional.