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Poligrip Lawsuit / Lawyers

PoliGrip lawsuits have been filed by scores of people who claim that exposure to zinc in the popular denture cream products caused nerve damage, neuropathy and other serious injuries. Our PoliGrip lawyers have taken on a leading role in this litigation, and we continue to offer free lawsuit consultations to the victims of this denture cream. If you use a PoliGrip denture adhesive product, and have been diagnosed with neuropathy or other nerve damage, our PoliGrip lawsuit lawyers want to hear from you right away. 

Our PoliGrip lawyers have already filed numerous lawsuits on behalf of people who suffered serious and debilitating injuries because of excessive exposure to zinc in Poligrip denture cream products. In most every case, plaintiffs in PoliGrip lawsuits were not aware that these products even contained zinc, let alone that they could pose serious health risks. In fact, it was only recently that GlaxoSmithKline began providing Super PoliGrip users with this information. Our PoliGrip lawsuit lawyers are working hard to make sure that Glaxo is held accountable for failing to warn consumers about Poligrip dangers.

If you or someone you love has used a PoliGrip denture cream product, and now suffer from neuropathy or other neurological conditions that may have been caused by zinc in PoliGrip, you may be entitled to compensation. We urge you to contact our PoliGrip lawyers to discuss filing a PoliGrip lawsuit today.

Poligrip Zinc Poisoning

It is estimated that 35 million Americans wear dentures, and many - if not most - use denture adhesives like PoliGrip to keep them in place. Unfortunately, few are aware that excessive exposure to zinc in PoliGrip and similar products can lead to health problems. A small amount of zinc is necessary for a balanced diet. However, being exposed to an excessive amount of zinc can result in copper depletion – a condition known as hypocupremia – and serious negative adverse neurological effects.

In August 2008, the peer reviewed journal “Neurology” reported on four patients suffering from neuropathy and other neurological symptoms typical of zinc poisoning and copper depletion. The article specifically linked excess zinc in Super PoliGrip to “profound neurologic disease” in the patients reviewed.

Our clients who have filed PoliGrip lawsuits have all suffered from symptoms typical of zinc poisoning. These include: 

• numbness or tingling in the feet legs, hands, and/or arms
• a reduction in strength or ability to move legs or feet, or arms and hands
• unexplained pain in the extremities
• a tendency to stumble or fall down
• instability and lack of balance
• change or decrease in walking stride
• abnormal blood pressure and heart rate
• reduced ability to perspire
• bowel and bladder dysfunction

Many of our Poligrip lawsuit clients have sustained profound and permanent neurological injuries, which have left them unable to perform their normal, customary, and daily activities. Our PoliGrip lawyers believe these disorders are directly linked to excessive exposure to zinc in PoliGrip.

The symptoms of PoliGrip zinc poisoning mimic other neurological diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis. And because so many victims are elderly, this problem can be mistaken for many other geriatric diseases. A mistaken diagnosis can have serious consequences for the victims of PoliGrip zinc poisoning, as early treatment is the only way to reverse the damage done. Waiting too long - and continuing to use PoliGrip - will eventually lead to permanent disability.

If you or someone you care about uses PoliGrip or any other denture cream, you should ask your doctor to test zinc and copper levels in your blood if you experience any type of neurological problems. Also, if you have ill-fitting dentures, you really shouldn't rely on products like PoliGrip to keep them in place. If you have to apply large amounts of denture adhesive, or use products like PoliGrip more than once a day, you likely need to have your dentures refitted. People who have used excessive amounts of PoliGrip over a long period of time are the most susceptible to zinc poisoning.

New Super Poligrip Warning

Many of our PoliGrip lawsuit clients would not have used these denture cream products had they known about their serious risks. Unfortunately, it was only once consumers began filing PoliGrip lawsuits that Glaxo finally started warning of the risks associated with Super PoliGrip. For many people, including those currently represented by our PoliGrip lawyers, the caution about zinc in Super Poligrip came too late.

The new Super PoliGrip warning, which came in the form of a package insert, was added to the denture cream in the fall of 2009. The new insert in Super PoliGrip packages now advises that the product contains zinc, and cautions users to talk with their doctor if they use zinc supplements. It warns that using excessive amounts of the adhesive over a long-period of time could result in “serious health effects”.

The insert also includes directions for using Super PoliGrip, as well as diagrams and an illustration of the “proper” amount that should be used. The directions tell users that Super PoliGrip should only be used once a day, and that a tube of Super PoliGrip should last several weeks, depending on size.

Leading Poligrip Lawyers

Our PoliGrip lawyers have taken on a leading role in the fight for consumers injured by zinc in PoliGrip and similar denture creams. In the summer of 2009, all lawsuits pending in federal court against the makers of PoliGrip and other zinc-containing denture creams were consolidated in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, Miami Division as a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL 2051). An MDL allows all cases to be coordinated under one judge for pretrial litigation to avoid duplicative discovery, inconsistent rulings and to conserve the resources of the parties, witnesses and the court. The Denture Cream Products Liability Litigation is being presided over by the Honorable Judge Cecilia Altonaga.

Andres F. Alonso, Esq., a partner with our firm, was appointed one of two Co-Lead Counsels to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the Denture Cream Products Liability Litigation by Judge Altonaga in an order filed on July 13, 2009. Co-Lead Counsels' responsibility is to represent the interests of all plaintiffs who have alleged injury, or damages, as a result of using one or more of the various denture cream products on the market today. Mr. Alonso, along with the other Co-Lead Counsel appointed by Judge Altonaga, will coordinate the activities of plaintiffs during pretrial proceedings and control, administer, and supervise the litigation.

Legal Help for Victims of Poligrip

Our PoliGrip lawyers are continuing to offer free lawsuit evaluations to the victims of denture cream zinc poisoning. If you or a loved one uses or have used PoliGrip or another zinc-containing denture cream, and now suffer from neurological problems, please contact our PoliGrip lawyers by filling out our online form. Free case evaluations are also available by calling 1 800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636).