By Allison Ross, Palm Beach Post

A Miami judge has certified the nation’s first class-action suit against manufacturers and distributors of defective Chinese drywall.

County Circuit Judge Joseph Farina gave the go-ahead for the class certification, which is limited to affected homeowners living in the Keys Gate community in Homestead.

The lawsuit was originally filed on behalf of homeowners Melissa and Jason Harrell; the suit can include 152 similarly affected homeowners.

Harrell’s attorney, Victor Diaz, said the ruling sets a legal precedent that these drywall cases can be handled in the aggregate instead of an individual basis, which will bring quicker results to homeowners.