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‘Toxic’ sofas caused burns

A Merseyside woman is one of hundreds of unhappy consumers receiving compensation after purchasing a sofa containing Di-methyl Fumarate (DMF).

The substance, which is highly toxic, left customers including Michelle Wibrew, of Moreton, with burns and breathing problems. The chemical has now been banned across Europe

The furniture was bought from popular store, Land of Leather but was imported from various countries.

In April this year around 1,650 people who bought affected sofas from other high street stores received a share of £20m compensation. However some shoppers lost out after Land of Leather's insurance company Zurich withdrew cover for certain claims. Zurich claimed that the furniture company, which went into administration in January 2009, had breached the terms of its insurance by doing a deal with the manufacturer Linkwise, which produced the sofas in China.

But yesterday the High Court approved a settlement which will see 408 people, including 55 children, paid a share of £250,000 (an average of £613 each).

A Zurich UK spokesman said: "We are pleased the court has approved this settlement and hope this compromise agreement brings finality to this matter."