FORT MEADE -- Environmental groups have sued to block the expansion of a fertilizer companys Florida operations, but closing Mosaic Cos new phosphate extraction operations in Fort Meade could result in a layoff of more than 200 people, the company said. Groups including The Sierra Club, are seeking a preliminary injunction against Mosaic -- a Plymouth, Minn.-based company, majority-owned by Cargill Inc. -- to halt the extraction process necessary for production. If U.S. District Judge Henry Lee Adams Jr. sides with the groups, Mozaic said it would likely cease operations for economic reasons. The Sierra Club was among two others who sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers calling into question the Corps decision to issue a wetlands permit for an extension of the mine in South Fort Meade. On July 1, Adams agreed with the groups in that the Corps issued a permit in violation of the Clean … [Read more...]

MIAMI -- Colson Hicks Eidson and Krupnick Campbell Malone Buser Slama Hancock Liberman & McKee have filed class actions against Miamis Banner Supply Co., which is accused of distributing tons of defective drywall throughout the state. The action brings in Florida homeowners who got their drywall through Banner. The suit says Banner was negligent in that the company knew the drywall was defective, but failed to warn consumers. The drywall has been giving off fumes that corrode metal appliances and cause health threats. Banner lost a suit by homeowners in Coconut Grove, Armin Seifart and Lisa Gore-Seifart, who had the drywall built into their home. Ervin Gonzalez, of Colson Hicks Eidson and Mike Ryan, of Krupnick Campbell are leading the lawsuits. Ryan has been appointed as the plaintiffs' liaison for the Chinese drywall cases for Broward County. … [Read more...]