If You Own a Home With EIFS Synthetic Sstucco: Please Read This
EIFS Class Action Settlement
IF YOU OWN A HOME OR BUILDING WITH SYNTHETIC STUCCO EXTERIOR WALL
CLADDING, please read the following:
Senergy, a subsidiary of Harris Specialty Chemicals Inc., is the first and
only manufacturer to reach a settlement in the class action lawsuit Ruff
et al. v. Parex et al., filed against several manufacturers of exterior
insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS).
The national class action settlement was reached April 29, 1998 and
received preliminary approval from a North Carolina Superior Court. In
the settlement, Senergy has agreed to contribute up to $20 million to help
repair one-and two-family homes that have sustained damage as a result of
moisture intrusion through and around windows, doors and other openings,
and are known to be clad with products sold under the Senergy or ThoroWall
brands.
The class action continues against the other EIFS manufacturers named as
defendants in the suit: Dryvit Systems Inc., Sto Corp., Parex Inc., W.R.
Bonsal Co., Continental Stucco Products, Thomas Waterproof Coatings Co.,
United States Gypsum Co. and Shield Industries Inc. Only homes clad with
EIFS manufactured under the Senergy or ThoroWall Brands are affected by
this settlement.
All persons or entities who, as of May 15, 1998, own or owned a one- or
two-family residential dwelling or townhouse in the United States clad
with EIFS manufactured by Senergy, Inc. or Thoro System Products, Inc. may
be eligible. Condominiums, apartment buildings, hotels and other
commercial structure are not included.
EIFS are multi-layered, exterior wall systems consisting of a finish coat,
a base coat, mesh and insulation board, all of which are secured either
mechanically or with an adhesive to plywood or another substrate, but
offer many additional benefits such as insulation value and enhanced
aesthetics. The products have been used in commercial and residential
construction markets in North America since 1969. The lawsuit does not
involve EIFS used for interior cladding, for purposes other than an
exterior wall cladding, or used on commercial buildings.
This notice is a summary only. To receive a copy of the more detailed
Notice of Settlement, including a Claim Form and Exclusion Request, call:
1-800-441-0282 or write EIFS Litigation, Class Counsel, PO Box 26445,
Raleigh, NC 27611-6445. The full text of the Notice and other information
can be viewed on the World Wide Web at: http://www.kinsella.com/eifs/