Protective coating company sued by homeowners

NEW ORLEANS – A local family is suing the makers of a waterproof alternative to house paint after finding their home was rotting.

Raymond and Megan Landry individually and on behalf of their minor children Jeanne Marie Landry and Henri Etienne Landry filed suit against Rhino Shield of Louisiana LLC, Rhino Shield Gulf South LLC 1446 Camp Street and Amcoat Industries in the Orleans Civil District Court.

According to the suit, the Landrys paid Rhino Shield more than $30,000 to water-proof their home, which, despite advertising campaigns and personal guarantees, did not live up to its promised potential. The Landrys contacted Rhino Shield when they needed a significant portion of the wood on their home at 3013 Urselines in New Orleans replaced.

The suit claims a representative met with them and claimed that after replacing the rotted wood and using Rhino Shield, their home would not need to be repainted for 25 years. However, while undergoing a bathroom renovation less than a year and a half later, a different contractor allegedly discovered the Rhino Shield was not working and the exterior wood was wet and mildewing. According to the suit, the wood Rhino Shield had installed was found to be untreated and Tyvek was used in the upper portion of the Landry home but cheap tar paper was used in the lower portion of the home, the suit claims. When contacted, a representative from Rhino allegedly claimed that structural problems could have caused the wetness or the type of wood might be to blame. However, the Landrys claim they engaged structural experts, wood experts, and finally Gurtler Brothers Consultants Inc. The suit alleges that these experts called Rhino theories "absurd."

The defendant is accused of failing to honor verbal and written express or implied warranties, false and misleading advertising and marketing of its product and workmanship and failing to perform its work in a good workmanlike manner, failing to keep material free from defects and poor workmanship.

The Landrys argue they suffered property damage, physical injuries, mental pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of lifestyle.

The Landrys are represented by Raymond B. Landry and Richard L. Traina of Mollere, Flanagan & Landry and by Charles V. Giordano of Hebbler & Giordanno LLC.

Amcoat answered the petition on April 2 by requesting a jury trial.

Amcoat is represented by Ryan M. Malone and Rachel S. Guttman of Duplass, Zwain, Bourgeois, Pfister & Weinstock.

Case is assigned to Division J Judge Paula A. Brown.

Case no.2014-00894.