Hundreds more victims of ‘toxic sofas’ are to receive compensation for their injuries, following a settlement reached with the insurers of one of the retailers involved.
Several thousand members of the public suffered burns and skin complaints after contact with furniture containing a dangerous fungicide, dimethyl fumarate (DMF). The substance was present in sachets inserted into the furniture in order to prevent the growth of mould that can cause the deterioration of leather products during transport or storage, especially in humid conditions. However, the chemical is toxic in small amounts and can cause blistering and bleeding of the skin. The affected sofas, manufactured by the Chinese companies Linkwise and Eurosofa, were sold by Argos, Walmsley’s and Land of Leather.
All three retailers admitted liability for their customers' injuries, but 408 customers of Land of Leather were in danger of being left without compensation. The furniture supplier went into administration in January 2009 and their insurance company, Zurich, refused to pay out on claims that related to products manufactured by Linkwise, on the ground that this deal breached the terms of Land of Leather’s public and product liability policy.
This argument was upheld by the court. The decision was due to be challenged in the Court of Appeal, but a settlement has now been approved that will see each of 408 injured customers, including 55 children, receive £1,800 in compensation, without the need for further litigation.
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