A six year old girl has had a compensation settlement for a rash from a sofa claim approved in the Circuit Civil Court. She developed a skin condition due to chemicals used in the manufacture of a sofa.
The judge 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 problems and tingly rashes immediately after the purchase of the sofa, and Holly had to receive medical treatment for dermatitis.
Her family replaced the sofa, which was later discovered to contain the mould inhibitor dimethyl fumarate – a chemical which has subsequently been banned in the EU for use in sofas, and which prompted Argos Ltd to recall the product in 2009.
Holly’s mother, Gabriela, took legal advice and an application was made for compensation on the grounds of product liability. Following assessment of Holly’s case and recommended damages of £8335 – a figure agreed by both Holly’s family and Argos Ltd, but one which had to be approved in court due to Holly being a minor.