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.