Leaky homes class action knocking on the door of James Hardie’s Irish HQ
Lawyer Adina Thorn has welcomed today’s Court of Appeal decision that allows the hundreds of home owners she acts for to
continue claiming against the Ireland-registered parent company of the James Hardie Group, James Hardie Industries PLC,
and two other James Hardie companies. These companies sought to be removed from the claim and appealed the High Court’s
decision that they should remain in.
The Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court’s decision.
“We see today’s decision as a significant step forward in bringing James Hardie to justice. The owners believe the
parent company of the Group should be called to account”.
Thorn acts for over 1000 home owners. The claim against James Hardie is said to be approximately $250M.
“The owners say that James Hardie negligently manufactured and supplied Harditex, Monotek and Titan products. We believe
the parent company has a key part to play in this. The owners also say James Hardie had a duty to warn consumers of
alleged problems with the products.”
“There was a risk due to the massively complicated company structure that PLC would be able to escape this claim. James
Hardie has been no stranger to litigation in NZ and in Australia for asbestos claims. We believe it should be called to
account for its conduct”.
“The decision means we are entitled to know about the role of management of PLC in this and what steps it took and what
knowledge it had of the real problems in New Zealand”.
Thorn says “We want to know what happened here. No company in a corporate group really operates in a silo. We need to
know what PLC knew and did”.
Thorn says “now we can focus on the real case in the High Court with the three companies as part of it”.
The owners have suffered more than just damage to their homes. Many hundreds are said to have suffered from stress,
depression, and health conditions due to mould.
“Finding justice for these James Hardie victims is what this is about. We have funding and are able to pursue this
claim. Acting for the victims is our top priority.”
Today’s decision means the funded class action led by Adina Thorn Lawyers is against the following James Hardie
companies: James Hardie New Zealand, Studorp Limited, James Hardie NZ Holdings, RCI Holdings Pty Limited, James Hardie
Australia Pty Limited, James Hardie Research Pty Limited and James Hardie Industries PLC.
ENDS