Mattel Settles Suit over Lead Toys Made in China

In 2006 and 2007 the world's largest toy maker, Mattel Inc. issued a recall for more than 14 million toys manufactured in China because they contained high levels of lead. Now Mattel and its Fisher-Price unit have agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit. It will resolve 22 suits filed against them on behalf of millions of families who bought the toxic toys before the recall.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Mattel hasn’t yet provided the amount of the total settlement because it depends on the total number of processed claims. But the co-plaintiff lead counsel Whatley Drake & Kallas issued a statement saying the settlement will give “tens of millions of dollars in monetary relief.”

The massive toy recall in 2007 resulted in high costs for Mattel, which had to pay for legal expenses, testing, advertising and product returns.

According to Executive Vice President for Mattel Bryan Stockton, the lead in the toys apparently came from a subcontractor of a vendor in China that did not use certified paint.

Since 2007, mandatory U.S. federal toy-safety standards and regulations have been put into effect.