Appeals Court Orders Lennar to Respond to Knauf Writ Petition

MIAMI - A state appeals court has ordered Lennar Homes to respond to a petition to appeal a recent ruling that Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) says could force it to settle hundreds of claims for property damage allegedly caused by Chinese drywall. Knauf Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. v. Lennar Homes LLC, et al., No. 3D10-166 (Fla. Ct. App., 3rd Dist.).

Florida's Third District Court of Appeal ruled Jan. 25 that Lennar has 20 days to respond to Knauf's petition for writ of cerioriari, which the drywall manufacturer filed after a Miami-Dade Circuit Court judge rejected its motion to dismiss tort claims …