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We have represented thousands of people, including some of the largest and most important injury cases ever brought in the United States. In the single largest damages case in the history of the world, our attorneys were selected by the Arizona Attorney General as the only Arizona law firm to represent the State against American tobacco companies. As a result, Arizona taxpayers will receive more than three billion dollars to cover the costs of treating tobacco-related illnesses, maintain educational programs to prevent young people from smoking, and fund other important State programs. |
| Zicam News |
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Zicam: Smelling Trouble? Paying Through the Nose Zicam Maker Settles Lawsuit Over Users' Loss of Smell Matrixx to Settle Zicam Litigation |
January 19, 2006—Matrixx Initiatives has reached a settlement with 340 persons who lost their sense of smell after using Zicam. These cases resolved for $11.9 million plus $100,000 in costs. If you have lost your sense of smell after using Zicam, please contact us immediately. Because the law limits the amount of time an injured person has to file a lawsuit, it is important you promptly contact an attorney experienced in the Zicam litigation to investigate your case. |
Zicam is a popular non-prescription zinc nasal spray. Its manufacturer markets it as a medication to shorten the duration of the common cold. Zicam has been associated with the onset of a condition known as anosmia, which leaves the user with a potentially permanent loss of smell and taste. These side effects typically are irreversible. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently is collecting and evaluating reports of severe reactions to Zicam. |
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ABC7 in Denver, Colorado first brought public attention to the potential side effects of Zicam when it reported on a station employee who lost her sense of smell after using Zicam to treat a cold. The employee was diagnosed with anosmia, a condition that likely will result in the permanent loss of her sense of smell. The station received an outpouring of user feedback following its report. ABC7 reported that within a week of running the story, they already had received 80 reports from people injured by zinc nasal spray. Most of those experiencing serious side effects had used Zicam. The others had used Cold Eeze. |
| Zicam Manufacturer Describes Reports of Anosmia as "Completely Unfounded" |
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In spite of widespread reports of potential problems with the medication, the manufacturer of Zicam refuses to warn users about the possible dangers of the drug. Matrixx Initiatives, the manufacturer of Zicam, reported on their web site that the medication is "safe" in spite of an admission that they had not conducted any studies on the loss of smell. The manufacturer of Zicam went even further when it released a notice on February 6, 2004 "reaffirming" the safety of Zicam. The manufacturer claimed:
These safety notices issued by Matrixx were made even though the company admitted it had not conducted any studies on loss of smell and in the face of numerous user reports and news stories linking the nasal spray with anosmia. |
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Your Health |
| If you lost your sense of smell after use of Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel, promptly consult your doctor for an evaluation. | |
| Your Legal Rights | |
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If you have been injured by Zicam, you may be entitled to compensation. You should act immediately to contact an attorney experienced in the pending Zicam lawsuits. |
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| Our Lawyers Can Help | |
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O'Steen & Harrison, PLC presently is handling legal claims on behalf of those injured by Zicam. We invite you to contact us for a free, confidential consultation about your legal rights. We represent patients throughout the United States. We can help you, too, wherever you live. For more information about Zicam, please complete this online contact form. |