Several class action lawsuits have been filed against Lumber Liquidators for selling Chinese-made laminate wood or bamboo flooring that contains toxic levels of formaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical.
What is the problem?
Lumber Liquidators has been hit with a class action lawsuit (PDF) action lawsuit by a non-profit accusing the company of selling toxic laminate wood flooring that was made in China with unacceptably high levels of formaldehyde that exceed California emission standards.
According to the complaint, the products were marketed and labeled as formaldehyde-compliant when in fact they were not. Advertisements featured children playing on the “environmentally friendly” floors.
In reality, the “core” of the laminate contains wood particles that are stuck together with a cheap formaldehyde-based resin or glue. More expensive products have lower levels of formaldehyde or are formaldehyde-free.
The problem is that formaldehyde gas can seep out of the flooring and cause severe health problems, including cancer and asthma. These risks may be even higher for young children who spend much of their time playing on the floor.
Get Your Floors Tested
If you bought hardwood laminate from Lumber Liquidators, you may be entitled to compensation and testing of your home. If you have developed health problems related to elevated levels of formaldehyde, you may also be entitled to compensation for your medical care. Contact our law firm immediately — as part of our investigation, we may be able to help you test your floors, and more.
List of Products that Contain High Levels of Formaldehyde
The class action complaint lists the following products as exceeding the “safe” limit of 40 μg/day (micrograms per day) established by voters in California:
- 8 mm Bristol County Cherry Laminate Flooring
- 8 mm Dream Home Nirvana French Oak Laminate Flooring
- 12 mm Dream Home Kensington Manor Antique Bamboo Laminate Flooring
- 12 mm Dream Home St. James Oceanside Plank Bamboo Laminate Flooring
- 12 mm Dream Home Kensington Manor Warm Springs Chestnut Laminate Flooring
- 15 mm Dream Home St. James Sky Lakes Pine Laminate Flooring
- 12 mm Dream Home Ispiri Chimney Tops Smoked Oak Laminate Flooring
- 12 mm Dream Home Kensington Manor Imperial Teak Laminate Flooring
- 12 mm Dream Home St. James Vintner’s Reserve Laminate Flooring
- 12 mm Dream Home Kensington Manor Cape Doctor Laminate Flooring
- 12 mm Dream Home St. James Cumberland Mountain Oak
- And more
List of Products May Grow
As more and more people come forward to test their flooring, it is possible that the list of non-compliant products will grow.
The scandal erupted back in 2013, when Seeking Alpha published an exposé on another Chinese-made laminate product sold by Lumber Liquidators:
“The tested product, Mayflower 5/16” x 5” Bund Birch Engineered, emits a staggering three and half times over the government mandated maximum emission level. The product is clearly not CARB [California Air Resources Board] compliant yet Lumber Liquidators tagged CARB compliance on the box.”
More Class Actions Filed in Federal Court
Lumber Liquidators has been hit with several class action lawsuits in the U.S. District Court in Virginia. Soon after the Seeking Alpha article was published, a federal securities class action was filed because the stock price dropped. Another class action was filed in December 2013.
Health Risks of Formaldehyde Laminate Flooring
- Eye irritation, stinging, burning, watery)
- Nose and throat irritation, soreness, runny nose, sneezing, sinus blockage, cancer
- Respiratory problems
- Wheezing and coughing
- Chest tightness
- Asthma
- Allergic contact dermatitis
- Skin rash, blisters, or dry flaky skin
- Headaches
- Depression
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Attention deficit disorders
- Impaired dexterity, memory, and equilibrium
- And more
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