DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Drywall manufacturer KNAUF Plasterboard (Tianjin) Co, Ltd., in a significant move, has agreed to acknowledge claims and accept service from homeowners who have been affected by defective Chinese drywall. In order to participate, homeowners must have their homes inspected and a claim filed by Dec. 2. Baron & Budd, P.C. shareholder Bruce Steckler is urging homeowners who have been affected by the defective drywall to take action quickly if they have not done so already.

"This is a unique opportunity for homeowners with the defective drywall," said Steckler. "This offer represents a tremendous concession on the part of KNAUF, who appears to be taking steps to understand the extent of the drywall problem."

Baron & Budd is testing multiple wallboards in its clients' homes and has discovered that in many cases there are multiple types of Chinese drywall used, making one-source testing inadequate. As a result, homeowners concerned about Chinese drywall should thoroughly inspect their homes, especially if they are having symptoms of Chinese drywall such as a rotten egg smell and problems with their air conditioning coils, copper pipes and home electronics.

Steckler has been appointed to the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee (PSC) in In Re: Chinese-Manufactured Products Liability Litigation in the federal district court in New Orleans, where all Chinese drywall lawsuits pending in federal court have been consolidated through the federal multidistrict litigation (MDL). As part of the PSC, Steckler will help guide discovery, hearings and other pretrial proceedings on behalf of all plaintiffs in the case. Steckler also advises the WCI Trust, where he helps Florida WCI homeowners with Chinese drywall receive compensation.

Chinese drywall was imported into the U.S. between 2001 and 2006 after a housing boom resulted in a shortage of building materials. States of particular concern include Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, Nevada, California, Virginia and South Carolina. The defective drywall has been connected to serious property issues, such as corrosion of metal components and appliances, and even health issues, including headaches, bloody noses and difficulty breathing.

If you believe that your home has been contaminated with Chinese Drywall, call 800.946.9646 or e-mail information@baronbudd.com. To learn more about Chinese drywall, visit http://baronandbudd.com/legal_services/chinese_drywall.

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.