Access To Justice

News developments that we’ll be watching at Sokolove Law:

In a victory for homeowners who are dealing with defective Chinese drywall, a federal judge today awarded seven Virginia families $2.6 million in damages for homes they claimed were ruined by the foul-smelling building material, according to the Associated Press.

Chinese drywall has been associated with the release of toxic sulfur compounds that smell bad, damage appliances and wiring, and may cause sickness. Problems with the material have been reported by thousands of homeowners, mostly in Florida and other southern states.

The AP reports that the decision by US District Judge Eldon Fallon is likely to set the standard for making a tainted home livable again. His ruling – which did not cover possible health effects — called for the homes to be gutted and all the bad drywall to be removed as well as anything damaged by its corrosive effects.

The plaintiffs sued Taishan Gypsum Co. Despite the ruling, it may not be easy for the families to collect: China does not enforce US civil judgments, writes the AP.

Credit checks have become a standard hiring practice that many job hunters must undergo. However, employers need to use caution when doing credit checks on potential applicants, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC says in an advisory letter that the use of such credit checks could be unlawful if they screened out protected groups such as women and minorities.

Product Recall: Consumers should be aware of a nationwide recall involving Camolyn eye drops and Fisiolin nasal drop from US Oftalmi Corp. Some of the products may not be sterile and could cause eye infections, according to the Food and Drug Administration.