Watchdog and Russell Jones & Walker provide sofa injury claims
update
Released
on: August 6, 2008, 8:26 am
Press
Release Author: Russell
Jones & Walker
Industry:
Law
Press
Release Summary: Following a recent BBC Watchdog expose of severe
skin reactions caused by leather sofas sold by several leading
high street retailers, Russell Jones & Walker announces update
Press
Release Body: Back in February, the BBC’s Watchdog
programme exposed a story about leather sofas, sold by
a number of leading high street retailers, which had caused severe
skin reactions in some people. The Chinese manufactured sofas,
the majority of which were purchased from Land of Leather, Argos
and Walmsleys, were thought to contain a chemical which was causing
extreme allergic reactions in some people, including rashes and
blistering that resulted in hospitalisation for some.
Watchdog
reported on 12 May 2008 that, in conjunction with Russell
Jones & Walker (RJW), it has since
discovered that the cause of these ‘sofa
burns’ is Di-methyl Fumarate (DMF), a chemical
known to cause skin irritation. This fungicide is contained within
a sachet which is placed inside the sofas in order to protect
against mould during storage, transit and everyday usage. Argos’
independent investigations have also now confirmed these results.
A
team of Solicitors
led by Richard Langton and Christian Shotton of RJW
is currently representing injury
claims on behalf of more than 500 people who have suffered
due to the affected sofas, and this number is continuing to grow.
Around 1000 individuals are now launching a group action in the
high court to sue the retailers who sold the sofas for damages.
The
majority of the sofas have now been recalled, but a list of known
affected sofa
batch numbers has been compiled on the RJW Solicitors
site in order to enable worried consumers to check whether their
sofa might be one of those affected.
In
light of the ongoing problem, RJW Solicitors
has also advised that anyone who has experienced similar skin
problems, even if their sofa’s batch number does not appear
in the list, should still contact the retailer where they originally
purchased the sofa from.
About
Russell Jones & Walker
Russell Jones & Walker is a leading national
firm of solicitors dedicated to upholding the legal rights of
individuals. From the firms foundation in the 1920s the focus
has and continues to be, people and those who represent them.
The
firm has grown from its trade union roots into a respected national
organisation with nine offices across England and Wales, and an
associated office in Scotland.
The
reputation of Russell Jones & Walker is built
on the range of expertise offered by its partners and staff and
on the scope of their practical experience.
RJW
Solicitors represents clients across a range of areas
from personal injury work to commercial and criminal litigation;
from employment to defamation and reputation management; and from
clinical negligence to family law.
Web
Site: http://www.rjw.co.uk
Contact
Details: Joanne Oakes
Marketing Executive
Marketing
Russell Jones and Walker
Swinton House
324 Gray's Inn Road
London
WC1X 8DH
0207 657 1687
2012
