AFP, New York :
Ikea will pay $50 million to settle with the families of three small children in the US who were killed by dressers that tipped over, attorneys representing the families said Thursday.
Attorneys from Feldman Shepherd announced the settlement after a two-day mediiation overseen by a federal magistrate judge. The three families will share the $50 million, Feldman said in a news release.
IKEA also agreed to make three separate $50,000 donations to hospitals in memories of the children and a $100,000 contribution to Shane’s Foundation, a nonprofit focused on children’s safety.
An Ikea spokesperson confirmed a “tentative settlement” was reached but declined further comment, saying it had not yet been approved by the court.
In June, Ikea announced it was recalling more than 35 million chests and dressers from its “Malm” line in North America after six children died in the United States when they tipped over. The Swedish furniture company subsequently recalled another 1.6 million of the models in China.
US regulators had urged consumers to act urgently after discovering the chests could tip over and crush children unless properly anchored to the wall.
Ikea will pay $50 million to settle with the families of three small children in the US who were killed by dressers that tipped over, attorneys representing the families said Thursday.
Attorneys from Feldman Shepherd announced the settlement after a two-day mediiation overseen by a federal magistrate judge. The three families will share the $50 million, Feldman said in a news release.
IKEA also agreed to make three separate $50,000 donations to hospitals in memories of the children and a $100,000 contribution to Shane’s Foundation, a nonprofit focused on children’s safety.
An Ikea spokesperson confirmed a “tentative settlement” was reached but declined further comment, saying it had not yet been approved by the court.
In June, Ikea announced it was recalling more than 35 million chests and dressers from its “Malm” line in North America after six children died in the United States when they tipped over. The Swedish furniture company subsequently recalled another 1.6 million of the models in China.
US regulators had urged consumers to act urgently after discovering the chests could tip over and crush children unless properly anchored to the wall.
