A six year old girl has had a sofa rash injury claim settlement approved in the Circuit Civil Court after developing a skin condition due to chemicals used in the manufacture of a sofa.
Mr Justice Matthew Deery heard in court how Holly David was just two years old when her family purchased the sofa in 2006 from Argos Ltd. Holly and her family started to develop skin issues and tingly rashes shortly after the purchase of the sofa, and Holly had to receive medical treatment for dermatitis.
Holly’s family replaced the sofa, which was later discovered to contain the mould inhibitor dimethyl fumarate – a chemical which has since been banned in the EU for use in sofas, and which prompted Argos Ltd to recall the product in 2009.
Holly’s mother, Gabriela, sought legal advice and an application was made for compensation due to product liability. Following assessment of Holly’s case damages of £8335 were recommended – a figure accepted by both Holly’s family and Argos Ltd, but one which had to be approved in court due to Holly being a minor.