$43m payout for UK's 'toxic' sofa victims

LONDON - Hundreds of customers in Britain who suffered from skin rashes caused by "toxic" sofas are to receive a total of up to £20 million ($42.9 million) in compensation.

Around 1650 victims contracted various health problems after buying the Chinese-made leather sofas from Argos, Walmsley, Homebase and Land of Leather.

The sofas, manufactured by Linkwise and Eurosofa, contained the "highly sensitising" chemical dimethyl fumarate, or DMF, which has subsequently been banned by the European Union.

Insurers acting for the retailers will pay the victims between £1175 and £9000 depending on the severity of their symptoms.

In what is believed to be the largest consumer group litigation in UK legal history, more than 4000 customers allege they suffered painful medical complaints due to the presence of DMF in the sofas.

In the case of the 1650 victims, Argos, Walmsley, Homebase and Land of Leather admitted liability, but in 3000 cases, allegedly involving more severe injuries, liability remains in dispute.

These victims claim to have suffered severe skin or eye complaints, breathing difficulties or other medical complications after exposure to the chemical.

The payout was announced at the High Court in London, where Justice MacDuff was told that a claims handling agreement had been reached which could "potentially benefit" between 1500 and 2000 claimants.

Richard Langton, senior litigation partner at law firm Russell Jones & Walker, who led the group litigation against the retailers, said after the hearing:

"Many suffered serious health problems, simply because of the sofa they chose. At the start there was a real fear factor as nobody knew the cause.

"The doctors took nine months to identify the chemical. Some people thought they had skin cancer or were dying. We believe many sofas are still in use with DMF in them. Anyone who develops symptoms should seek urgent medical advice."

- INDEPENDENT