A federal bankruptcy court judge has granted a motion for homeowners in Parkland to file Chinese drywall-related claims against builder WCI Communities Inc. until the end of this month, effectively extending the claim deadline past the original Feb. 2 date.

This appears to be the first motion entered and granted allowing late-filed claims to Bonita Springs-based WCI regarding the problematic wallboard. The motion was filed April 28 in Delaware, and Judge Kevin J. Carey granted it Monday.

Attorney Mike Ryan, who filed the motion, said the original deadline for filing a proof of claim was before most people in Florida had ever even heard the term “Chinese drywall.”

At least some Chinese-manufactured drywall imported into the United States between 2000 and 2008 has been found to emit sulfuric odors and gases thought responsible for corroding electrical wiring, air-conditioning coils and jewelry.

“Most people didn’t know about this three weeks ago,” said Ryan, who has 70 clients whose WCI-built homes he claims contain tainted Chinese drywall. More than 30 of them were on the motion to reopen the claims process.

Ryan said the motion to reopen the claims process will help get information about insurance available and what suppliers and contractors may be responsible. He said he plans to file another motion for the rest of his clients to be able to file late claims.

WCI spokeswoman Connie Boyd acknowledged that a motion for an extension was granted to some homeowners, but she declined further comment.

In a January filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, WCI stated that Chinese drywall was installed in some of its homes before its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization filings.

Source