The first local class action lawsuits were filed Wednesday in Baton Rouge federal court against Lumber Liquidators, a national hardwood flooring company under fire for allegations that it sold Chinese-made laminates possibly containing dangerous levels of formaldehyde.
The Becnel law firm in Reserve filed two separate lawsuits—one on behalf of Benjamin Turner of Baton Rouge; the other on behalf of Earl and Shirley Wells of Baker, and Theresa DeVillier of Slaughter, who is also represented by New Orleans attorney Morris Bart. Both claims are proposed as class actions.
The allegations against the company detailed in the lawsuits include violations of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the Louisiana Products Liability Act and the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
A 60 Minutes report last year exposed a high cancer risk from laminate flooring made in China and sold in Lumber Liquidators’ stores, and the company halted sales of the products soon after. Last month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control noted that the health risk of the laminate flooring was three times higher than it had initially estimated, with formaldehyde levels that would cause six to 30 cancer cases per 100,000 people.
The chain posted a loss of $19.8 million in the fourth quarter, or 73 cents a share, a year after recording net income of $17.3 million, or 64 cents a share.
—Penny Font
