SEATTLE, Nov. 25, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Advertising. Keller Rohrback L.L.P. (www.krclassaction.com) announces that it is investigating possible claims against Claire's Stores Inc. and its parent company, Apollo Advisors, L.P., for selling children's products containing dangerous and illegal levels of lead and phthalates, putting children at risk for lead poisoning and reproductive health problems. U.S. PIRG yesterday released its 24th Annual "Trouble in Toyland" Survey of Toy Safety. The report includes test results showing Claire's "Alligator Cell Phone charm" product (SKU 2556-1 09-17 147) as containing lead at levels of 710,000 mg/kg, or 71 percent lead by weight, and Claire's "Pretty Princess Puppy Purse" (36699-7) as containing bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate at an estimated concentration of 54000 ppm, or 5.4 percent, above legal limits. These results were first reported in a screening released by Illinois PIRG on October 29, 2009 identifying toys in violation of CPSC standards. The Illinois PIRG report included two additional Claire's products with high levels of lead: "LOVE Pink Block Cell Phone Accessory" (35108-0 09-17 408) and "Pink Clip-on Diamond Earrings" (81890-6 02-25 258).
This is not the first time Claire's products have tested positive for high levels of toxins. In 2007, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan issued a consumer alert after her office tested a number of Claire's products, including bracelets, pendants, and hair clips made for children, and found high, illegal levels of lead. Claire's and the CPSC also recalled 125,000 children's jewelry products in 2007 and 2008 for high levels of lead.
Based on findings from these reports, the products under investigation include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Claire's Necklace with Large Heart and Stars Pendant, 92543-8 (05-06 187) * Claire's Club Silver Tiara Hair Clip, 52879-4 (12-12 277) * Claire's Club Silver "Princess" Bracelet, 23077-1 (12-02 246) * Claire's Alligator Cell Phone charm, 2556-1 (09-17 147) * Claire's LOVE Pink Block Cell Phone Accessory, 35108-0 (09-17 408) * Claire's Pretty Princess Puppy Purse, 36699-7 * Claire's Pink Clip-on Diamond Earrings, 81890-6 (02-25 258) * Claire's Best Friends Yin Yang Necklaces Sets (recalled 11/5/08) * Claire's metal necklaces with pendants shaped as monkeys, dolphins, and frogs holding colored marbles, a fleur de lis painted in various colors, a silver and black fairy, silver colored letters "BFF" with rhinestones, and tiny handcuffs painted in various colors (recalled 3/15/07)
If you purchased any of these products or other Claire's products and you wish to learn more about our investigation, please contact paralegal assistant Erin Foran or attorney Gretchen Cappio at 800.776.6044 or 206.623.1900 or via email at productliability@kellerrohrback.com.
Keller Rohrback, with offices in Seattle, Phoenix, and New York, has successfully pursued claims against product manufacturers and distributors, pharmaceutical companies, and medical device makers on behalf of our injured clients. We have achieved multi-million dollar settlements providing for damages and, in certain cases, medical monitoring.
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