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Baron & Budd, P.C.'s Burton LeBlanc Speaks to Louisiana Senate Committee About Chinese Drywall Problem

BATON ROUGE, La., April 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Baron & Budd, P.C. shareholder Burton LeBlanc spoke today before the Louisiana Senate Insurance Committee in support of a bill that would provide certain protections for Louisiana homeowners dealing with Chinese drywall in their homes.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100422/DA91539)

Senate Bill 595, sponsored by Louisiana Senator Julie Quinn, would prohibit insurance companies from canceling or "non-renewing" policies for homeowners who make a Chinese drywall claim. It would also require policies that have already been canceled or non-renewed to be reinstated.

Homeowners with Chinese drywall described the circumstances so many homeowners are facing. Their insurance companies have denied their claim for Chinese drywall, but if they move out and fix the problem themselves, they will cancel the policy because the home is left vacant. If they don't remove the Chinese drywall, the insurers are failing to renew because the home is not in a livable condition. And if the policy is canceled or lapses, they cannot get other coverage and end up in default on their mortgages.

"These homeowners are left in a terrible Catch 22," says LeBlanc. "Senator Quinn has been a great advocate for Louisianans dealing with Chinese drywall, and passage of this bill is critical to protect individuals from losing their homes while they struggle with remediation and resolve claims related to their Chinese drywall."

Senate Bill 595 was reported favorable by the committee and next will be sent to the floor of the Louisiana Senate for consideration.

Watch video of the Insurance Committee session.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.

Dallas-based Baron & Budd, P.C., with offices in Baton Rouge, Austin and Beverly Hills, is a nationally recognized firm with more than three decades of experience representing people and communities harmed by corporate negligence. The firm resolved one of the first asbestos cases in the United States in the 1970s and continues to serve people diagnosed with mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer as well as communities and consumers dealing with the costs of fraud and corporate misconduct.

    CONTACT:
    Susan Knape
    (214) 629-0596

SOURCE Baron & Budd, P.C.