Green light for 'sofa rash' claims

The Honourable Mr Justice Treacy made a Group Litigation Order at Nottingham Crown Court which will allow large numbers of people who were affected by the sofas to claim compensation.

Solicitors Russell Jones & Walker are bringing the prosecution on behalf of hundreds of people against three defendants - Argos, Land of Leather and Walmsley Furnishing - who sold the furniture.

It is thought to be the largest group litigation for a faulty consumer good the UK has seen, a spokesman for the firm said.

The prosecution has been brought against the three companies, which allegedly sold leather furniture made by Chinese company Linkwise.

The furniture is believed to contain a chemical fungicide that can cause adverse reactions in people - including rashes, burns, ulcers, and other effects.

So far, more than a thousand people have come forward with a complaint, the solicitors bringing the claim said. Two women have also claimed their mother died after suffering a reaction to one of the faulty sofas.

At the hearing it was decided a Group Litigation Order would go ahead - allowing anyone who has suffered effects of the faulty furniture to become part of the case.

Speaking after the hearing Richard Langton, partner at Russell Jones & Walker, said it would make it easier to organise the large number of claimants and help them get compensation. He said it was also possible more defendants would be discovered who had sold the sofas.

A spokeswoman for Walmsley Furnishing said they could not comment on the case.