Insurers Move to Consolidate Coverage Actions in La. State Court

SHREVEPORT, La. - Insurers that filed six separate Chinese drywall-related declaratory judgment actions in Louisiana state court have filed a motion to consolidate the cases before a single judge. Clarendon America Insurance Co., et al. v. E. Jacob Construction Inc., et al., No. 533,627 (La. Dist. Ct., Caddo Prsh.).

The request to consolidate the cases was filed in Caddo Parish District Court, where the insurers say venue is proper to determine their coverage obligations under comprehensive general liability policies written to general contractors that built several homes throughout Louisiana using Chinese drywall.

"At bottom, the declaratory judgment actions sound in …