Posts Tagged ‘fixodent’

On October, 21, 2009, Bernstein Liebhard LLP and former partner Eric Chaffin, now of Chaffin Luhana LLP, filed a Master Complaint in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania In re Denture Adhesive Cream Mass Tort Program, June Term, 2009, No. 4534.  The cases are assigned to Judge Sandra Moss in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. 

The Master Complaint is the latest step to protect consumers and follows a new journal article in NeuroToxicology and a new warning label related to zinc for Super Poligrip

The NeuroToxicology article titled “Myelopolyneuropathy and pancytopenia due to copper deficiency and high zinc levels of unknown origin II.  The denture cream is a primary source of excessive zinc” (hereinafter “NeuroToxicology Article”).  The authors of the NeuroToxicology Article, who are researchers in the field of zinc poisoning and copper deficiency, studied 11 patients who had developed significant injuries, including zinc poisoning, copper deficiency and neurological disorders for a period of years. 

The Master Complaint alleges that each of the patients in the study suffered significant neurological and/or hematological injuries like the plaintiffs in the litigation and, for example, are dependent on canes, walkers or wheelchairs for mobility because of their profound neurological injuries.  For many years, the authors and the patients’ treating doctors could not identify the origin of the high blood zinc levels in the patients.  In 2009, the authors contacted the 11 patients and found that all 11 patients used Super Poligrip and/or Fixodent. The authors confirmed through zinc and copper blood tests that each suffered from zinc poisoning and copper deficiency.  The blood levels normalized after the 11 patients ceased using Super Poligrip and/or Fixodent but the neurological conditions, unfortunately, did not improve much, largely because the neurological injuries are significant and not reversible.  The authors concluded that: “It appears the [11 patients'] disease is fully explained by denture cream use.

If you or a loved one has used Super Poligrip or Fixodent brand denture creams and suffers from neuropathy like symptoms, contact our denture cream lawyers at info@consumerinjurylawyers.com or (877) 779-1414.

By order dated June 9, 2009, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) centralized In re: Denture Cream Product Liability Litigation, MDL-2051, in the Southern District of Florida before Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga, who the JPML said “has the time and experience to steer this litigation on a prudent course.”  The transfer order and MDL denture cream updates are available in the ConsumerInjuryLawyers news section.

The JPML concluded that transfer under “Section 1407 will eliminate duplicative discovery; prevent inconsistent pretrial rulings; conserve the resources of the parties, their counsel and the judiciary.”  The court highlighted that “[t]hese actions share questions of fact arising out of the allegation that the levels of zinc contained in certain brands of denture cream can cause copper deficiency and neurological injuries.”

Bernstein Liebhard’s denture cream lawyers are pursuing denture cream lawsuits against the manufacturers of Poligrip and Fixodent.  We are also actively accepting denture cream case referrals and co-counsel relationships.  Our work on the denture cream litiagion has been the focus of media coverage, including Good Morning America.