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Harmful Sofas Claim Hundreds of Victims
28 February 2008
Russell Jones & Walker Criticises Retailers for Continuing to Market Unsafe Sofas. Leather sofas thought to have triggered allergic reactions in hundreds of people across the UK, causing painful and distressing rashes and other skin conditions, are still being sold by high street retailers.
Now leading law firm Russell Jones & Walker is calling for the retailers – including well known chains such as Land of Leather - to withdraw the items from sale and help customers who have been affected.
So far more than 500 people have lodged legal proceedings after Chinese-manufactured sofas appeared to cause a range of symptoms including allergies, rashes and burns, possibly caused by chemical sachets fitted inside the furniture.
And, while some retailers have withdrawn the item and offered refunds and exchanges to customers, others are still promoting the Chinese-made sofas, even after the BBC’s Watchdog programme highlighted the issue more than a week ago.
Russell Jones & Walker’s Richard Langton, who is representing more than 300 clients affected by the sofas, and who contributed to the Watchdog programme, has revealed that customers are still coming forward with claims. He said: “We are acting for hundreds of claimants all over the UK who purchased these potentially harmful sofas through a number of retailers including Walmsley Furnishing, and Land Of Leather and other retail outlets. One of my clients heard a salesman asking if a customer had any allergies before selling them an identical model. This was only last weekend. Such behaviour is irresponsible at best."
“Scientific examination of the contents of sofas, made by the Chinese Linkwise Furniture company, has revealed the presence of fungicide in the sofas. It appears that the manufacturer had placed sachets of a chemical (known as a fumarate), either in the cushion material or immediately underneath the leather. Once people have begun using the sofas in their homes the chemical appears to have leaked out through the leather and into the skin, causing great distress. Symptoms get worse and worse unless the sofa is removed.”
“Despite the recent publicity on national television, and the fact that these retailers are fully aware that the furniture may be causing harm to the public, some are continuing to market the sofas. Land of Leather has even been offering the goods at reduced prices as part of a sale.
“As we are not yet fully aware of the long term health implications of exposure to this chemical it is imperative that these items are withdrawn from sale immediately and that retailers begin to take a more proactive stance with their customers as other retailers have. They should be sending letters to all customers who have bought Linkwise furniture in the last two years warning them that if they have had a skin complaint then this could be the cause. Many GPs, even dermatologists still don’t realise the connection. People are suffering unnecessarily.”
Russell Jones & Walker is currently carrying out its own investigation, including instructing a consultant dermatologist and an expert toxicologist. The fungicide concerned is believed to be used in medical treatments and in food production but at this stage it is not known what purpose it serves in the manufacture of furniture.
If you believe you have a claim or for more information please call Russell Jones & Walker on 0121 233 8300, quoting "sofa claims"