International Paper Company (Masonite class action)

• Client: Segwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold (a joint Defense Group)
• Client Type: Insurance Companies
• Service: Estimating / Damages Claims Analysis
• Claim Amount: $1B (combined)
• Location: United States

International Paper Company (i.e.: Masonite) reached a settlement in their class action case which resulted in their having to compensate members of the class for the removal and replacement of siding products that were manufactured by Masonite throughout the United States under certain conditions and criteria. Based on this settlement, Masonite filed suit against their insurance carrier(s) to recover those sums that they were compensating to the members of the class. As part of this suit, Masonite pursued an evaluation of a representative class member’s properties to develop damages sums inclusive of all remediation activities. This resulted in a claim of approximately $1 billion against their insurance carrier(s).

Strategy’s analysis of these claims included site inspections, as well as the evaluation of video tapes, damages estimates, and photographs of hundreds of properties throughout the United States, on which Masonite’s damages claim was heavily relying. Strategy prepared damages claims analysis, including order of magnitude estimates and material cost analysis on properties throughout the United States to defend and refute the damages claims being pursued by Masonite.

Strategy ultimately testified in both depositions and at trial, which resulted in a favorable verdict for the insurance companies.