Leather Trade House sued for negligence over DMF burns

Insurers to Argos are suing in the High Court Northampton-based Leather Trade House for £13m over toxic sofas Argos sold to consumers, the Telegraph reports.

The customers, who suffered burns and other injuries, are to receive up to £20m in what is believed to be the largest consumer group litigation in UK legal history.

The sofas contained a fungicide, dimethyl fumarate (DMF), to stop them from going mouldy during shipping from China to the UK.

The latest lawsuit claims Leather Trade House:

  • Failed in its duty to properly investigate the effects of DMF.
  • Indemnify Argos against any losses suffered as a result of the technology company's negligence.
  • Failed to carry out proper checks on DMF and advised that it was safe to use as an anti-mould agent and was low in toxicity.

The legal action points to 4,475 claims related to DMF, of which 1,840 relate to Argos.

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