Florida Judge Refuses to Dismiss Strict Liability Claims Against Drywall Installers

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Installers may be held strictly liable for damage caused by Chinese drywall if it can be determined that they played a role in the distribution and sale of the product, a state court judge in Florida has ruled. Bennett v. Centerline Homes Inc., et al., No. 502009CA014458 (Fla. Cir. Ct., Palm Beach Cty.).

Palm Beach County Judge Glenn D. Kelley on Dec. 8 denied an omnibus motion to dismiss plaintiffs' allegations of strict liability against the installer defendants, who had argued that such claims do not apply to damages arising from improvements to real property. …