Red Toolbox Class Action Lawsuit: Stanley Jr. Garden Set Recalled for Lead

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against Red Toolbox following a recall of its Stanley Jr. Garden Set due to unsafe levels of lead in the paint. Parents allege the company failed to provide an effective recall solution and exposed children to health risks.

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased the Stanley Jr. Garden Set.

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Red Toolbox is currently facing a class action lawsuit following the recall of its Stanley Jr. Garden Set, a gardening tool kit designed for children. 

The set, aimed at kids as young as three, was found to contain unsafe levels of lead in the paint on two tools, the rake and hoe, prompting safety concerns among parents and a recall issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Stanley Jr. Garden Set Recalled Due to Lead Contamination

Marketed under the Stanley Jr. name, the Garden Set includes child-sized gardening tools like a rake, hoe, wheelbarrow, apron, and gloves. The product was available in major retail stores and online, attracting parents looking for safe, hands-on toys for their children. 

In September 2024, however, the CPSC announced a recall for the set after it was discovered that the paint on the rake and hoe contained levels of lead exceeding federal limits, posing a lead poisoning risk to young children.

Daniel Lutwak, a Florida resident, purchased the Garden Set in May 2024 for his son at a Costco store in Davie, Florida, and was unaware of any issues with the product until the recall. 

He now alleges that Red Toolbox’s response to the recall was insufficient and that the company did not provide an effective solution for concerned customers. Rather than offering a direct refund or simple return option, Red Toolbox required parents to take apart the contaminated tools, photograph the pieces, register on an online portal, and wait 30 to 45 days for a replacement. 

This recall process, according to Lutwak, placed the responsibility of handling and disposing of contaminated parts directly on the parents, raising further safety concerns.

Lead in Children's Toys Poses Serious Health Risks

Lead exposure is known to pose serious health risks, especially to young children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), even minimal exposure to lead can affect a child’s brain and nervous system development, impacting learning, behavior, and physical growth. 

Children under six are particularly susceptible, as their bodies absorb lead more easily, and their nervous systems are still developing. These potential dangers have led to strict federal regulations, limiting lead content in paint on children’s toys to 0.009% by weight.

The Garden Set, marketed as safe for children, failed to meet these standards. This has prompted concerns among parents who trusted the brand’s safety claims but unknowingly brought home a product with hazardous materials. By using lead paint on toys intended for young children, Red Toolbox allegedly did not meet federal safety requirements or the expectations of parents purchasing the product.

Red Toolbox Faces Lawsuit Over Recall Process and Lead Contamination

The recall process outlined by Red Toolbox has left some parents, including Lutwak, frustrated and concerned. Having purchased the Garden Set expecting it to be safe, Lutwak finds it disappointing that Red Toolbox placed the responsibility on consumers to handle the recall and safely discard lead-contaminated parts. 

His complaint also notes that his son had already used the tools for several months, increasing concerns about possible lead exposure.

This case is part of a broader trend of legal actions against companies over lead contamination in consumer products. Earlier this year, Pacific Market International, the maker of Stanley cups, faced a class action lawsuit alleging the company failed to disclose the presence of lead in its products. 

Similarly, in May 2024, Colonna and Dollar Tree parent company Greenbrier International, Inc was sued over allegations of lead contamination in Supreme Tradition cinnamon products. 

Lutwak seeks to represent a national group of consumers who purchased the Stanley Jr. Garden Set, requesting financial compensation and a more accessible recall solution, without requiring consumers to manage contaminated materials. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Daniel Lutwalk v. Red Toolbox USA, Inc.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-10427
• Court: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Y. Michael Twersky, Shannon J. Carson, Joseph E. Samuel Jr., and John Albanese (Berger Montague PC)

Did you purchase the Stanley Jr. Garden Set? Share your thoughts on the recall and lawsuit in the comments below.