JPML Passes on Creation of U.S.-Manufactured Drywall MDL

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has rejected an attempt by plaintiffs in Florida and Arizona to create a centralized docket for all federal lawsuits alleging damage and injury caused by American-manufactured drywall. In Re: U.S. Drywall Products Liability Litigation, No. 2160 (JPML).

In an order released June 8, the JPML denied a petition to transfer and consolidate at least seven cases that accuse defendants of domestically manufacturing and supplying gypsum wallboard that emits sulfur gases similar to those linked to Chinese-manufactured drywall.

The JPML determined that any efficiencies served by centralization of the claims would …