Hardware, Woodworking Power/Machine and Hand Tools
Hardware, Woodworking Power/Machine and Hand Tools

The Chanler Group's clients have negotiated a multitude of settlements with companies selling hardware, power woodworking tools, and hand tools that contain the heavy metal lead or phthalates in their grips or in their vinyl components.  Such cases are especially important to The Chanler Group's clients because these products tend to be used by consumers on a regular basis. Lead and phthalates are known to the State of California to cause birth defects and reproductive harm, and repetitive, frequent use of products containing them increases the risks posed by exposure.  

As a neurotoxin, lead has been shown to negatively affect the nervous system, especially children's brains. Research has shown that repeated exposure to lead cumulatively affects the developing nervous system and, over time, can lead to attention deficit, learning disabilities, short-term memory loss, behavioral problems, and diminished intellectual ability.

Phthalates are "plasticizers," substances added to plastic components and materials in consumer products to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity.  The Chanler Group's clients regularly investigate the presence of phthalate chemicals such as di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate ("DEHP"), butyl benzyl phthalate ("BBP") and Di-n-butyl phthalate ("DBP") which are often found in consumer products. 

The hardware industry also includes products made for soldering, welding, and brazing, all of which join pieces of solid metal using either extreme heat or a metal filler.  Lead is widely used in soldering, welding, and brazing products.

The Chanler Group's clients have significantly minimized the amount of lead in products used throughout this industry by initiating actions against companies that sell soldering, welding, and brazing products containing lead.  Because of the size and sophistication of a majority of the settling defendants, the impact of this litigation on the hardware, hand tool, and household product industries has been far-reaching, and the public benefit has been substantial. The resulting settlements have made this industry less toxic by obtaining commitments from manufacturers for the use of lead-free soldering, welding, and brazing products.   

To review legal agreements which The Chanler Group's clients have reached with companies that sell hardware, woodworking power tools, machine tools, and hand tools, please see the cases below.

firm casework - enforcement

Held v. Digital Peripheral Solutions, Inc.
March 16, 2015
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On March 16, 2015, the parties executed an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved the allegations that whistleblower Anthony E. Held, Ph.D, P.E. made against settling party Digital Peripheral Solutions, Inc. (“DPS”).  In this matter, Held alleged that DPS sold tools with vinyl/PVC grips containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)...
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Leeman, et al. v. Tractor Supply Company, et al.
March 16, 2015
DEHP, TDCPP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Leeman, et al. v. Tractor Supply Company, et al. executed a Consent Judgment on March 16, 2015.  In this matter, citizen enforcers Whitney R. Leeman, Paul Wozniak, and Laurence Vinocur (collectively, “Plaintiffs”) alleged that Tractor Supply Company, Larin Corp., Plasticolor Molded Products, Inc., and Taylor Brands, LLC (...
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Moorberg v. Lynco Distribution, Inc.
March 5, 2015
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On March 5, Mark Moorberg and settling party Lynco Distribution, Inc. (“Lynco”) entered into an out-of-court settlement agreement.  Moorberg had alleged that Lynco sold tools with vinyl/PVC grips containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing the requisite health hazard...
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Wozniak v. Johnson Outdoors Gear, Inc.
February 26, 2015
Lead
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Wozniak v. Johnson Outdoors Gear, Inc. executed a Consent Judgment on February 26, 2015.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Paul Wozniak alleged that Johnson Outdoors Gear, Inc. (“Johnson”) sold tools with vinyl/PVC grips containing the heavy metal lead in the State of California without providing the requisite health...
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Held v. Interline Brands, Inc.
February 26, 2015
DEHP, Lead
Out-of-Court Settlement
On February 26, 2015, the parties executed an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved the allegations that whistleblower Anthony E. Held, Ph.D, P.E., made against settling party Interline Brands, Inc. (“Interline”).  In this matter, Held alleged that Interline sold certain products containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (...
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Leeman v. Intertape Polymer Corp.
February 25, 2015
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
On February 25, 2015, the parties executed an out-of-court Settlement Agreement, which resolved the allegations that whistleblower Dr. Whitney R, Leeman made against settling party Intertape Polymer Corp. (“Intertape”).  In this matter, Leeman alleged that Intertape sold vinyl/PVC electrical tape containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate...
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Moore v. Standard Sales d/b/a Stansport Inc.
February 24, 2015
DEHP
Out-of-Court Settlement
Citizen enforcer John Moore on February 24, 2015 executed an out-of-court Settlement Agreement with settling party Standard Sales d/b/a Stansport Inc. (“Stansport”), resolving allegations that Stansport sold tools with vinyl/PVC grips containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of California without providing...
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Leeman v. Bayco Products, Inc.
February 13, 2015
DEHP
Consent Judgment
The parties involved in the case Leeman v. Bayco Products, Inc. executed a Consent Judgment on February 13, 2015.  In this matter, citizen enforcer Dr. Whitney R. Leeman alleged that Bayco Products, Inc. (“Bayco”) sold vinyl/PVC light bulb changer grips containing the phthalate chemical di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (“DEHP”) in the State of...
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