Lowe's sued by man who claims chemical burns from treated wood

GRETNA – A St. Tammany Parish man is suing a corporate hardware chain after he allegedly received chemical burns from handling wood he bought from one of its local stores.

Remis Martel Waters Sr. filed suit against Lowe’s Corporation, Georgia Pacific and their insurers in the 24th Judicial District Court on July 30.

Waters claims that on Aug. 4, 2012 he went to a Lowe’s in St. Tammany Parish to purchase wood for a home project. The plaintiff alleges that when he went to go pick up the wood he noticed it was wet and was concerned that the wood had recently been treated with chemicals, but when he asked staff they told him it was safe. Waters asserts that after handling the lumber sores appeared around his eyes and face and other parts of his body. The plaintiff claims he had to seek medical treatment for the injuries and endured several months of pain and permanent scarring.

The defendant is accused of selling improperly treated materials, selling materials that had been recently treated before it was safe to do so, manufacturing and distributing faulty materials and failing to inform of the wood’s condition.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for scarring, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.

Waters is represented by J. Michael Daly of Walker Daly LLP.

The case has been assigned to Division P Judge Lee V. Faulkner Jr.

Case no. 729-465.