Willenhall pensioner receives payout over toxic sofa
A MIDLAND grandad has become the first person in Britain to win compensation after being horribly burned by a ‘toxic sofa’.
Pensioner Maurice Heminsley, from Willenhall, has received a four-figure compensation settlement after suffering severe chemical burns from the imported Chinese leather settee.
The 68 year-old widower purchased the new £1,100 sofa from independent retailer Furniture Warehouse in Netherton, Dudley, in November 2007.
But within days he developed a rash which spread across his neck, back and legs, leaving him suffering from painful open sores which refused to heal. Mr Heminsley had to be hospitalised in February 2008 where he was treated for the skin condition, acute contact dermatitis.
Thousands of angry consumers have been embroiled in legal action over health problems linked to the sofas which contained the toxic fungicide, di-methyl fumarate (DMF).
Last night, Mr Heminsley said: “The settlement means I can now put this really painful episode in the past and move on with my life. However, I’m annoyed that more wasn’t done to protect consumers.
