Defective Siding Claims To Be Joined?

A new lawsuit seeks to consolidate claims against Louisiana-Pacific Corp. from homeowners who purchased house siding they say is defective.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court is one of more than a dozen filed involving simulated cedar siding manufactured by the wood products company.

The new lawsuit contends Louisiana-Pacific and its recently deposed chairman Harry Merlo violated racketeering laws in making and selling the siding. It would consolidate about a dozen class-action lawsuits.

Steve Berman, a Seattle attorney for one of several plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said it makes sense for the litigants to have one case for everyone involved.

The house siding is the subject of state investigations in Oregon, Florida and Washington. Consumers have filed lawsuits in at least eight states, alleging the siding soaked up water and failed. Louisiana-Pacific disputes the claim.