Miss. Judge Says Drywall Claims Against Contractor, Insurer Misjoined

JACKSON, Miss. - A federal judge has severed claims by Mississippi homeowners who brought a Chinese drywall lawsuit against their builder and the insurance company that refused to cover damage to their residence. Lopez v. Sturdivant, et al., No. 10-55 (S.D. Miss.).

Determining that the complaint includes allegations that arose from two distinct litigable events, Judge Tom S. Lee of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi ruled Aug. 6 that the defendants were misjoined and the case should be split. Judge Lee further held that as a result of severing the claims, his court would retain …