Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Ikea to Pay $50 Million to Settle Suits from Tip-Over Deaths
December 27,
2016 by Larry Thomas in Industry, Legal 
Ikea has agreed to pay $50 million to the families of toddlers in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Washington state who died after they were pinned beneath one of the retailer's Malm dressers.
Their tip-over deaths led to the recall of some 29 million of the dressers in June.
According to a statement issued by Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock Dodig LLP, the law firm representing the three families, the $50 million settlement will be divided evenly among the families.
The law firm said Ikea also has agreed to donate $50,000 to Children's Hospital in Philadelphia in memory of one of the victims, $50,000 to an unnamed children's hospital in Minnesota in memory of another victim, and $50,000 to a children's hospital in Washington in memory of the third toddler.
In addition, the retailer will contribute $100,000 to Shane's Foundation, a children's safety organization with a focus on furniture tip-over prevention and education.
Ikea also agreed to increase funding for its "Secure It" tip-over awareness program to include national TV ads, internet and digital communications, and in-store warnings.
The law firm said Ikea also agreed to only sell chests and dressers in the United States that meet the national voluntary safety standard for clothing storage units, which is known as ASTM F2057-14.
The settlement was reached following a two-day mediation hearing before a retired federal magistrate.