Sofa Burns from leather settee from Kays

Baggiebird1nil

Has anyone else bought any leather settees from Kays catalogue and got sofa burns? We bought a couple of panama leather settees from Kays in February. 2 days later I rang them up to complain about the smell and 'taste' that was coming from the suite. Within 10 days they had collected the sofa's. During this time my OH came out in a really nasty rash which has since been confirmed by a dermatologist as sofa burns caused by some chemical or other. Kays are now claiming that they cannot find the settees as all their return items are destroyed (don't believe that one).
Just wondered if anyone else had had these burns and if so what happened to them. I'm tempted to contact one of these no win no fee solicitors.

myrnahaz

There have been other reports of this type of chemical burn from (I think) sofas imported from China? I'm sure someone will come along and fill in the blanks on this, but I also think that BBC Watchdog programme covered it, so have a look at their site before deciding how best to progress -or google 'sofa, chemical burns, China' and see what you come up with; there may already be a legal organisation that's taking-on cases such as yours.
Even if they've destroyed your sofas, the chances are that they have others in stock which will have come from the same manufacturer.

PS - I think the issue was with a chemical used in the filling material (the stuffing) rather than the covering.

Baggiebird1nil

Thanks I'll have a look. We were aware of the sofa burns shown on Watchdog (so was the Dermatologist at the hospital) but they were all from either Argos or Land of Leather. I just wondered if anyone else had had this problem with Kays.

Volcano

Looks like it's well known:

A toxic fungicide in imported furniture is behind an outbreak of chronic dermatitis, skin burns, eye irritation and breathing difficulties across the world. Medical experts here are warning consumers to watch for symptoms..........About 200,000 of the suspect couches have been imported by 15 furniture retailers in Britain alone and compensation for victims, some of whom required hospital treatment, could be in the tens of millions of dollars.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/new-sofas-to-blame-for-rash-of-allergies-20090411-a3e2.html

I've no idea whether 'nasty rash' warrants compensation though.

dacouch

There is a solicitor doing a class action for Sofa Burns,

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22sofa+burns+%2B+class+action&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=

deebee

I got some sofas from tesco direct at the beginning of August asnd have recently come out in a rash with blisters, anyone else had this?

Colliefrog

I've no idea whether 'nasty rash' warrants compensation though

My husband went through a similar thing and he got a substantial amount from Argos. Don't let this lie. They have sold you a product which has had an effect on his health. Send them a letter by recorded delivery stating the issue and all the details and see what they say. If their reply is not sufficient write back stating that you are seeking legal advise and do just that.

DCFC79

Volcano wrote: »

Looks like it's well known:


http://www.smh.com.au/national/new-sofas-to-blame-for-rash-of-allergies-20090411-a3e2.html

I've no idea whether 'nasty rash' warrants compensation though.

this was on the 1 show other nite, watch the episode on bbc iplayer, the solicator who spoke on the 1 show seemed to think his clients would get some compo

tandraig

we had a similar prob in wales - yeah it did warrant compensation as i remember - the lady concerned had what would be considered 3rd burn on her body - the pics were horrifying - but i cant remember if it was wales this week or the ferret which reported on it.