1. What kind of siding do I have?
2. How do I start to apply for the settlement? 
3. I don't have the time for this. Can someone help me with this process?
4. What is the overall process? 
5. I received my settlement letter and I don't agree with it. What can I do? 
6. Is there anything else I can do? 
7. I've replaced my siding already. Can I still apply? 
8. How much money will I get? 
9. What is the regionally adjusted price for my city? 
10. What does it mean "Damaged" siding? 
11. What does it mean by age deduction? 
12. How long does it take to apply? 
13. I've applied months ago and haven't heard from the claims admin. What do I do? 
14. Where can I get an official copy of the settlement? 
15. How much did our attorneys make? 
16. How can I contact the attorneys? 

This is a very hard question. There are many brands of sidings, the most popular is Masonite made by the Masonite corporation. Many contractors, builders, etc consider all siding to be Masonite when in fact it is another brand. It is important to try to positively identify the siding manufacturer.

The best way is to look on the back side of the siding if you can find some exposed. Maybe look into an unfinished garage or an attic. Cut away the tar paper and look for markings. These could be American Hardboard Siding markings (AHA) or Marking such as:

Masonite : Look for the word Masonite or a large M or X-90 .

Boise Cascade : Look for a circle around a tree

Temple: See example Temple siding pictures. Look for a set of T's linked together by the long stem making a circle. Or for the words Temple-Inland.

Omniwood: Another Masonite product has the word Omniwood.

ABTCO: See example ABITIBI siding pictures. Look for the letters ABTCO or ABITIBI-PRICE.

More coming later.

If you do not find markings, look for a pattern such as a waffle iron pattern. Notice the color and texture of the back of the siding. See the markings page for pictures of the above and samples.

If you cannot determine the brand you can ask your neighors to see if they have the same type and possible original paperwork showing the manufacturer. Also contact the builder. And if all else fails, take a sample and send it to the various companies requesting an identification.

How do I apply for the settlement? 

There are various settlements each one has their own twist, but most have a 1-800 number. I have listed the one currently available along with their websites if applicable. Call the 1-800 number, ask for an application. 

Masonite Hardboard and Omniwood: 1-800-330-2722 www.masoniteclaims.com

ABTCO Abitbi-Price: 1-800-549-4465 www.abtcoclaims.com

Lousiana Pacific Inner Seal: 1-800-245-2722 www.lpsidingclaims.com
 

Yes. Contact me at johncoby@sidingclaims.com

Again each are a bit different, but the general process is apply for the settlement, receive an inspection, receive an offer based upon this inspection, accept the offer and be paid. Unfortuanteley it is usually a bit harder than this. For instance, the LP siding suit has no money to distribute and if you make a mistake in the Masonite settlement, you add a month to the process. See the specifics of each settlement.

I received my settlement letter and I don't agree with it. What can I do? 

According to many settlements you can request a second inspection if you disagree with the first offer. BUT...if the second inspection result is less than the first, you are charged $100. The Masonite suit does this. 

Is there anything else I can do? 

Write to the Special Master, Judge Jack Etheridge with your complaint if you believe the rulse of the settlement are not bein applied correctly. You might consider taking legal action against the builder. I did and won in small claims court. Complain to your States Attorney General, the Federal Trade Commission, and anyone else who would listen.

I've replaced my siding already. Can I still apply? 

According to the Masonite settlement, yes....and no. If you replaced your siding BEFORE May 1, 1999, you can apply for reimbursement. If you have replaced your siding AFTER May 1, 1999, then you cannot apply, even if you were not aware of the settlement. It gets complicated, and the claims are harder, but you are entitled to reimbursement. Again, contact me at 281-486-5203 The other siding suits are a bit different.

How much money will I get? 

Another tough question. In short, you will receive $x.xx times the total square feet of DAMAGED siding minus age difference. For instance I had 1000 sq ft of damaged siding on a 9 year old home. So in Houston the regionally adjusted price per square foot was $3.99. So I received a check for$3,990. Simple enough? Not quite...... 

What is the regionally adjusted price for my city?

The regionally adjusted price per sq ft is claimed to be the average of what it would cost to remove, replace, and paint new siding. Of course it has been our experience that this amount is lower than any low cost of repair. You can call the claims admin and ask how much the regionally adjusted price for your city is. 

What does it mean "Damaged" siding? Wasn't the siding found to be defective by a jury? 

Damaged is defined in the settlement document and is much to complicated to describe here. Most settlements are paying only for damaged siding regardless of the jury's findings.

They will take a percentage off your settlement based upon the age of your siding. In the Masonite settlement, it is 3% for each year with some caveats. (see the settlement document)

How long does it take to apply? 

About 6 months from application to check in hand. Some are quicker, some are not. If you have reasons to expedite, then it could be quicker, such as putting your house up for sale. According to the settlement the claims admin is suppose to have an inspector at your house within 2 months of receiving your application. That has been the exception, not the rule. The settlement is also worded so there is no possible enforcement of this clause. 

I've applied months ago and haven't heard from the claims admin. What do I do. 

Call 1-800 numberand ask why. There have been occasions that the claims admin has not received applications. Some have been "lost in the mail". So call and call again. 

Where can I get an official copy of the settlement? 

Contact your attorneys. They can be found at the official settlement site. Request a copy of the official settlement. 

How much did our attorneys make? 

$2.3 Million for expenses and $47Million for their share for the Masonite suit, $26 Million for the LP suit which ran out of money.

How do I contact the attorneys? 

1-800-350-9315 for the attorneys in Alabama representing Masonite owners.