With Christmas just a month or two away, a class-action suit’s settlement will surely bring glad tidings to families who were affected by a 2007 toy recall which involved millions of toys tainted with excessive levels of lead or had design problems.

Popular toys from Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer, Diego toys made by Fisher-Price, and some Mattel toys like Batman, Polly Pocket, Sarge cars and Barbie accessories were among those found to contain high levels of lead. They toys were all made from China.

Mattel Inc., the world’s largest toy maker, has agreed to settle and will provide affected toy buyers either 50 percent of the total amount of vouchers or $10, depending on whichever is greater.

Also, other consumers who didn’t participate in the recalls but have a recalled toy shall get a check or a voucher equivalent to the toy’s price. Buyers of recalled toys in which only one piece of the toy was affected can receive up to $12.

Those whose toys have been destroyed after the recall will also be eligible to receive a voucher for the amount of the toy for up to three toys. Mattel’s settlement could top $50 million dollars as the exact number of claims is still uncertain.

If approved by the court, Mattel and Fisher-Price will likewise reimburse families their expenses after getting tests for their children for lead exposure.

Under product liability laws, the manufacturer and supplier is responsible for damages caused by their product. The $50 million settlement will not just serve to compensate the consumers who have been injured by their lead-contaminated toys but will also be a reminder to them that the toys they put out to market should be fit for consumers.

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