Have a question?
Contact us with your questions about this information.
GeoDeck Class Action:
On December 26, 2007, Thornton & Naumes LLP filed a class action lawsuit against various entities (Kadant, Inc., Kadant Composites LLC, and Liberty Diversified Industries, Inc.) responsible for damages from GeoDeck composite decking products.
GeoDeck decking and railing products that were manufactured between April 2002 and October 2003 contained an error in the manufacturing process. As a result, these products quickly deteriorate and will experience cracking, splitting, warping and/or rotting. A recall of the GeoDeck products was issued in August of 2005 and a warranty fund was set up to pay claims. However, that fund was exhausted and stopped paying claims in September of 2007. Despite that these products had come with a 20 year warranty that they "will not rot, split or suffer structural damage from termites or fungal decay," valid warranty claims have not been paid.
Plaintiffs assert claims for violations of the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act and similar consumer protection statutes of other states, fraud, negligence, gross negligence, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, and unjust enrichment. Plaintiffs allege that by allowing the GeoDeck products to remain for sale after discovering the defect, Defendants violated the law and breached various duties to Plaintiffs and members of the proposed Class. These products are potentially unsafe and should not be used until they are repaired or replaced. Plaintiffs also assert that Defendants have failed and refused to abide by the express warranties provided with the GeoDeck products. Plaintiffs brought this action individually and on behalf of a Class of similarly situated individuals who own GeoDeck decking or railing products manufactured between April 2002 and October 2003 and who have been injured by the wrongful conduct of Defendants and they seek to recover damages on behalf of the Class.
If you own GeoDeck decking or railing products or if you would like more information on the claims asserted in this lawsuit, please contact Attorney Kristen Fritz or Attorney Robert Naumes, Sr. at 1-800-431-4600.