The maker of “Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway” toys has agreed to pay $30 million to settle a nationwide class-action lawsuit by thousands of families who purchased lead-tainted products, a plaintiffs’ attorney said Wednesday.Under the deal, Oak Brook-based RC2 Brands will offer cash refunds or replacement toys, plus what the company calls a bonus toy; it also promises to implement new quality controls, said Jay Edelson, a plaintiffs’ attorney in the case.

“We believe this really is the first step toward cleaning up the problem of lead paint in toys,” the Chicago attorney said. “It will put a lot of pressure on other companies to step up and act morally. We hope this becomes a problem of the past.”

The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County last year, and the court gave the settlement preliminary approval on Tuesday. The judge is expected to give final approval at a hearing set for May 6, Edelson said.

This is the latest string in Toy Recalls and Defective Products recently in the US and Abroad.

Here is a short list from the recall and Consumers can also contact RC2 at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Website at http://recalls.rc2.com

The front of the packaging has the logo “Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway” in the upper left-hand corner.

A tracking code may be located on the bottom of some of the products. Toys marked with codes containing “WJ” and “AZ” are not included in the recall.

The All-Black Cargo Car, included only in the Brendam Fishing Dock Set, is labeled “CARGO CAR” and has either no tracking code or one of the following codes on its undersides: 26833i, 28233i, 23243i00, 24643i00, 25343i00, 27443i00, 32043i00, 34743i00, 01553i00, 04553i00, 13353i00, 14753i00, 15453i00, 18353i00.

The toad vehicle with brake lever is labeled “TOAD” and has the tracking code 16560W000 on its underside. The Olive Green Sodor Cargo Box says “SODOR” on the side. The box was included only in the Deluxe Cranky the Crane Set.

The All-Green Maple Tree Top and Green Signal Base accessories were included only in Conductor’s Figure 8 Sets.

Cargo cars sold in other sets are not included in the recall.

If you believe that you have been adversely affected by a toy recall you can visit www.resource4thepeople.com for more information and legal help.

Defective Products, Recalls