NEW YORK, Aug 13 (Reuters) - A Florida parent sued Mattel Inc <MAT.N> and its Fisher-Price Inc unit over a toy after the company recalled some 1.5 million units this month due to concerns about their lead paint content, according to a court filing.

The plaintiff, Farrah Shoukry, is seeking a refund for toys and money for diagnostic tests for lead poisoning, according to the suit in U.S. District Court in Manhattan on Friday.

Fisher-Price recalled the preschool toys on Aug. 1 because their surface paint could contain excessive amounts of lead.

The company said the toys, including preschool favorites such as Dora the Explorer and Sesame Street characters, were manufactured by a contractor in China.

Lead has been linked to health problems in children, including brain damage.

Shoukry, who bought one of the recalled toys for her daughter, wants class action status for the lawsuit, according to the complaint.

A Mattel spokeswoman could not be reached immediately for comment.

The recall was Mattel's largest since 1998 when it recalled some 10 million Power Wheels vehicles, made by Fisher-Price.

It was the latest in a deluge of product safety scares that have tainted the "made-in-China" brand. (Reporting by Paritosh Bansal)

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