First Wyerhaeuser Claims Deadline Has Passed

[Michael Brown]

Moved from Front Page Headlines February 15th, 2004

The first Weyerhaeuser siding claims deadline has come and gone. Homeowners hoping to be paid by Weyerhaeuser Corp. for damages associated with defective Weyerhaeuser siding under the court-approved settlement were supposed to have had their first claim forms in to Weyerhaeuser no later than December 22nd, 2003. Some who have not done so may now be ineligible to file a claim.

Anyone who owns or owned a structure in the United States on which Weyerhaeuser brand hardboard siding was installed from January 1, 1981 through December 31, 1999 is eligible to file a claim for compensation if their siding has buckled, swelled, become spongy, shows visible degradation, including surface welting, edge checking, delamination, wax bleed or has raised or popped fibers. All compensation will be awarded according to a compensation formula agreed to in the settlement. However, unlike the Louisiana-Pacific Inner-Seal settlement, Weyerhaeuser will not compensate homeowners where the damage is a result of improper design or installation.

The Weyerhaeuser hardboard siding involved was made from wood fiber, wax and resin and was distributed in both lap (board) and panel (sheet) applications, and in various external textures designed to look like conventional wood siding. In order to confirm whether any damaged hardboard siding is the Weyerhaeuser product, HI's or homeowners should look on the back of the siding for to see if it is stamped AHA 10, AHA 20 or AHA 02.

The deadlines to file a claim varies. Basically, the later the siding was installed, the more time the homeowner has to file a claim. Additional details are available at the claims website, including pictures. For more information or to request a claim form, homeowners should call Weyerhaeuser's toll free claims number at 1-800-365-0697 or visit their website at www.weyerclaims.com. Claimants may also write to Weyerhaeuser Claims, P.O. Box 9443, Garden City, NY 11530-9443.