No payout for ‘toxic’ sofas

MORE than 300 customers who bought “toxic” sofas which they claim left them with rashes and burns will not receive compensation, a solicitor said yesterday.

The consumers took Land of Leather to the High Court after they were exposed to the chemical dimethyl fumerate in sofas they had purchased from the company.

But yesterday Mr Justice Teare, at the High Court in London, ruled the group of claimants were not entitled to compensation from Zurich Insurance, Land of Leather’s insurers.

Law firm Russell Jones and Walker is representing the claimants, as well as heading a legal action by more than 4,000 people allegedly affected by the sofas.

The claimants say they suffered rashes, burns and allergies after buying the Chinese-manufactured sofas from Land of Leather, Walmsley Furnishing and Argos.