Ikea dresser tip-over cases settled for $50 million

PHILADELPHIA — Following a two-day mediation before retired Federal Magistrate Judge Diane Welsh of JAMS, a nationally recognized mediator for complex civil cases, Ikea has agreed to settle three wrongful death claims for the sum of $50 million, to be evenly divided among the three families.

A statement released by Feldman Shepherd Wohlgelernter Tanner Weinstock Dodig LLP, the law firm representing the families of three toddlers killed by Ikea furniture tip-overs, also noted that as part of the settlement, Ikea has also agreed:

• To donate $50,000 to each of three hospitals in Pennsylvania, Washington and Minnesota in memory of the three children.
• To only sell chests and dressers in the U.S. that meet or exceed the performance requirements of ASTM F2057-14, the national voluntary safety standard for clothing storage units.
• To increase funding for its Secure It program to raise awareness of the risk of tip-overs, including national television advertisements, Internet and digital communications and in-store warnings.