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Posts Tagged ‘recall’

Recall Lawyers: 380,000 Pounds of Deli Meat Recalled Nationally for Containing Serious Disease

defective product attorneys, defective product Lawyers, defective products, product liability lawyers, recall, recall lawyers

August 24th, 2010: Law Blogger

Recall LawyersFoodborne illnesses are one of the most common reasons people go to the emergency ward. An estimated 76 million cases of foodborne disease occur each year in the United States. Some cases are more serious, and Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths related to foodborne diseases each year.

One of the worst and most potentially fatal foodborne diseases is Listeria monocytogenes. It is one of the most virulent foodborne pathogens with 20 to 30 percent of clinical infections resulting in death. Though only around 2500 per year contract the disease, a whopping 500 of them die from it.

That’s why yesterday’s recall is so important. Listeria monocytogenes has been found in a series of popular ready made deli sandwishes produced by Zemco Industries in Buffalo, New York. The Department of Agriculture has recalled approximately 380,000 pounds of the deli meat that may be contaminated.

Listeria monocytogenes was discovered in a random retail sample collected by inspectors in Georgia. The USDA has received no reports of illnesses associated with the meats.

“Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease,” according to the USDA. “Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea.”

Recalled Lunchmeat

These are sandwiches that are prepackaged and set out in the refrigerated “Marketside” section of Walmart grocery stores for the on-the-go person who can’t wait for something to be made.

One of the major national retailers of the products is Walmart. Upon learning of the voluntary recall, Wal-Mart immediately told its stores to remove the meat from their shelves.

The meats were produced on dates ranging from June 18 to July 2, 2010. The “Use By” dates range from August 20 to September 10, 2010.

The products being recalled are -

  • “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches BLACK FOREST HAM With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color” – 25.5-pound cases – number 17800 1300.
  • “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches HOT HAM, HARD SALAMI, PEPPERONI, SANDWICH PEPPERS” – 28.49-pound cases – number 17803 1300.
  • “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches VIRGINIA BRAND HAM With Natural Juices, MADE IN NEW YORK, FULLY COOKED BACON, SANDWICH PICKLES, SANDWICH PEPPERS” – 32.67-pound cases – number 17804 1300.
  • “Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches ANGUS ROAST BEEF Coated with Caramel Color” – 25.5-pound cases – number 17805 1300.

Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenesListeria monocytogenes bacteria is a pathogen that causes an infection leading to a disease called Listeriosis. The disease has a 7 to 10 day cycle in which the patient experiences muscle aches, high fever, and vomiting.

“Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy,” the USDA said.

If the infection spreads to the nervous system it can cause meningitis, an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of meningitis are headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

Both of these diseases have a high instance of death, particularly in high-risk groups as described by the CDC. If these symptoms begin and start to progress rapidly, people are advised to seek medical attention immediately because there are antibiotics and treatments to address the diseases if caught early.

Recall Lawyers

This recall falls in a bad month for massive meat and animal product recalls. August is already host to a recall of 1 million pounds of frozen ground beef patties that are popular for restaurants to use. Another was the recall of 380 million eggs, which were linked to a nationwide Salmonella outbreak that potentially sickened thousands of people. Those eggs were also used by many restaurants.

Do you see a pattern here? Just because the product is cooked by a professional, under FDA guidelines, doesn’t mean that it can’t make you sick. On top of that, just because the product may be sealed in plastic and labeled “fully cooked” also doesn’t protect you from illness.

That’s why government inspectors are diligent about testing in an attempt to stem the increasing epidemic of food borne illnesses in the United States. It is estimated that the cost to the healthcare system and the American tax payer for treatment of foodborne illnesses could be in the billions of dollars.

Essentially, it is the responsibility of the government agency to monitor, but the company that produces the product has a moral obligation to its customers that they will produce a product that will not potentially kill them. For prepackaged products especially, the contamination most likely came from the production facility itself. It is up to the manufacturer to assure that all facilities are adequately sanitized and systems are in place to monitor contamination.

If you or someone you know ate a Grab and Go sandwich produced by Zemco Industries, became seriously ill and had to be hospitalized as a result, then it is important that you find an experienced Product Liability Attorney to represent you so that you receive the compensation you deserve. Call Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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Recall Lawyers: 380 Mil. Eggs Recalled Nationwide After Salmonella Sickens Hundreds

defective product Lawyers, defective products, product liability lawyers, recall, recall lawyers

August 18th, 2010: Law Blogger

recalled eggsYesterday, what started out to be a relatively localized recall by an Iowa company, was expanded to a nationwide, 380 million egg recall after some of the company’s facilities were linked to an outbreak of salmonella that has sickened hundreds of people across the country.

People started reporting to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) getting sick in May, just weeks before new government safety rules went into effect that were intended to greatly reduce the risk of salmonella in eggs.

Several states began seeing an increase in the number of cases of a common type of bacterial illness known as Salmonella Enteritidis in May, said Dr. Christopher R. Braden, acting director of food-borne diseases at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

The spike was unusual, but not alarming until the numbers continued to grow. In June and July, a database used to track disease nationwide found that the number of cases had risen from a historical average of about 50 a week to around 200.

Public health officials in several states began to investigate this outbreak and found that many of the people who had gotten sick had eaten food containing eggs. Further investigation traced many tainted eggs to Wright County Egg, of Galt, Iowa.

Recall Details

The company said the recalled eggs came from five plants and were distributed across the country under the brand names Lucerne, Albertson, Mountain Dairy, Ralph’s, Boomsma’s, Sunshine, Hillandale, Trafficanda, Farm Fresh, Shoreland, Lund, Dutch Farms, Kemps, James Farms, Glenview and Pacific Coast. (Dutch Farms said Wright County packaged eggs under its brand without permission.)

Salmonella EnteritidisSalmonella Enteritidis is transferred to eggs by infected hens and it can be found inside eggs that appear normal. The bacteria are destroyed by heat, but people can become sick if they eat raw or incompletely cooked eggs.

Regulators have been fighting the problem of salmonella in eggs since it first emerged in the 1980s. But proposals to improve regulations were largely unsuccessful until a year ago, when the FDA announced a new set of rules, which became effective on July 9.

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pains. In rare cases, it can cause more serious illness, including arterial infections. In infants, elderly, and people with compromised immune systems it can be fatal.

It’s hard to determine how many people have gotten sick in the outbreak although it certainly numbered in the hundreds. Typically in salmonella outbreaks, only about one in 30 cases is reported to authorities so thousands of people may have been affected, Dr. Braden said.

Fortunately the FDA has had no reports of deaths due to the tainted eggs as of yet.

How to Protect Yourself

The CDC has some simple steps people can take to protect themselves. First off the agency says, cooking reduces the number of bacteria present in an egg; however, an egg with a runny yolk still poses a greater risk than a completely cooked egg. Undercooked egg whites and yolks have been associated with outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis infections. Both should be consumed promptly and not be kept warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

They also recommend:

  • Keep eggs refrigerated at ? 45° F (?7° C) at all times.
  • Discard cracked or dirty eggs.
  • Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw eggs.
  • Eggs should be cooked until both the white and the yolk are firm and eaten promptly after cooking.
  • Do not keep eggs warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
  • Refrigerate unused or leftover egg-containing foods promptly.
  • Avoid eating raw eggs.
  • Avoid restaurant dishes made with raw or undercooked, unpasteurized eggs. Restaurants should use pasteurized eggs in any recipe (such as Hollandaise sauce or Caesar salad dressing) that calls for raw eggs.
  • Consumption of raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided, especially by young children, elderly persons, and persons with weakened immune systems or debilitating illness.

If you still contract Salmonella, fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea should begin around 12 to 72 hours after consuming the eggs. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without antibiotic treatment, mostly thinking that they have a form of the severe flu. However, the diarrhea can be severe, and the person should consider hospitalization if dehydration becomes an issue.

Recall Lawyers

On the July 9 launch of the new regulations, the FDA said in a press release that the new rules would prevent as many as 79,000 illnesses and 30 deaths a year related to the consumption of tainted eggs.

Hinda Mitchell, a spokeswoman for Wright County Egg, said that the company had put the required federal measures in place by the July deadline. She said that before that date, the company had participated in a voluntary industry program that included steps similar to some of the new federal requirements.

Unfortunately, the validity of these claims has come into question because of the sketchy history of the company.

The New York Times revealed today that the company’s owner Jack DeCoster has apparently had several run-ins with regulators over poor or unsafe working conditions, environmental violations, the harassment of workers and the hiring of illegal immigrants.

One of DeCoster’s companies was fined $2 million by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) when inspectors found that workers were forced to handle manure and dead chickens with their bare hands and to live in trailers infested with rats.

The labor secretary at the time, Robert B. Reich, called DeCoster’s operation “an agricultural sweatshop.”

The list of other health and hiring violations is long for both the owner and the company that may be seeing their days of being able to do business coming to an abrupt end after the multi-agency investigation ends.

If you or someone you know has was severely sickened to the point of hospitalization by these Wright County Egg Company eggs, you may be entitled to compensation due to lost wages and pain and suffering. To achieve this you will need a skilled lawyer with experience in Product Liability Litigation. Call Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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Defective Product Lawyers: NHTSA Investigates Mazda and BMW after Hundreds of Complaints

defective product attorneys, defective product Lawyers, defective products, recall

July 7th, 2010: Law Blogger

Defective Product LawyersThe car industry has had a major shake-up this year due to the massive public relations nightmare Toyota has been experiencing since its recall of nearly 10 million cars around the world due to a sudden acceleration defect it allegedly attempted to cover up for nearly two years.

This has prompted many car companies to initiate recalls before problems are reported by customers in order to avoid the large class action lawsuits Toyota is now facing and the massive fines that governments are not shy about levying to punish for dishonest behavior that might put their citizens in danger. But apparently not every car company has learned its lesson.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began a massive investigation into a very serious problem regarding 293,787 Mazda3 cars from the 2007 to 2009 model years and 48,764 BMW Z4 sports cars from 2003 to 2005.

The NHTSA initiating an investigation prior to a recall does not bode well for either car manufacturer and could lead to massive fines and a wider recall later this year.

NHTSA Investigation

Both investigations stem from a serious problem with the power steering which fails typically occurring at higher vehicle speeds over 45 miles per hour and at warmer temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

The government agency said it received 33 complaints about Mazda3 vehicles that alleged a loss of power steering assist while driving. The sudden defect required excessive force by the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. Three of the complaints alleged that the loss of steering control caused car crashes.

Mazada3 vehicles use an electrically actuated hydraulic power steering system, the agency said.

The NHTSA also said it received 107 complaints alleging a loss of power-assisted steering in BMW Z4s. The complaints stated that the steering wheel sticks, binds or locks up, requiring increased steering effort to maintain control and increasing the potential to over-steer the vehicle.

The problem has not caused any reported fatalities as of yet, but now that the problem has been revealed there may be new investigations into previously unexplained fatal car accidents that have led to wrongful death.

Both Mazda and BMW have not made statements on their websites regarding this very serious investigation.

Defective Design Lawyers

electrically actuated hydraulic power steering systemInvestigations like this are going to become much more prevalent. In fact, the investigation may be a little late in coming if the NHTSA has received this many complaints and suggests that perhaps the investigation may have needed to be begun earlier.

Also the investigation and number of complaints to the government regulatory agency leaves one to wonder just how many complaints went directly to the car companies, how they dealt with them, and how many of the complaints they relayed to the NHTSA within the week period as dictated in the NHTSA rules.

These types of concerns are what consumers may want to bring up if they are Mazada3 or BMW Z4 owners who are potentially at risk for being effected this summer as they drive on the freeway at highway speeds in higher temperatures this summer.

If you or a loved one is affected by faulty power steering that lead to car accidents and/or serious personal injuries then it is extremely important that you contact a skilled attorney with experience in negotiating with car companies regarding defective product lawsuits. Call Phillips Webster from where ever you are in the country and get your free consultation into your legal options.

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Product Liability Lawyers: 15 Mil LBS of SpaghettiO’s Recalled for Undercooked Meat

defective products, product liability lawyers, recall, recall lawyers

June 18th, 2010: Law Blogger

SpaghettiO's with MeatballsIt is truly a sad day in some American households today. The childhood favorite canned food of almost every person born on United States soil has been tarnished by undercooked meatballs. This leaves the worlds of many 6 year-olds up-side-down, and as for the 2 year-olds, well, a giant meteorite might as well have hit the earth.

Campbell Soup Company recalled 15 million pounds of SpaghettiOs with meatballs on Thursday. The SpaghettiOs are believed to be undercooked, because of a cooker malfunction at one of the company’s Texas plants.

For you to identify the recalled products look for “EST 4K” as well as a use-by date between June 2010 and December 2011 on the bottom of the can. There are believed to be 35,000 of the cases of SpaghtettOs on the market now.

Many of the cans are believed to have been consumed by now, but perhaps you may have stocked the pantry or fall-out shelter full and just haven’t had a chance to work your way through all of them.

Either way, undercooked meat can cause very serious illness, especially in children and elderly people who may have a lowered immune system. Undercooked meat can cause serious intestinal problems and may also lead to other gastrointestinal complications.

If you or a loved one has been severely sickened by any of the SpaghettiOs with meatballs products and that has lead to serious complications or other more serious problems then it is important that you find a legal representative that is experienced in Product Liability Lawsuits. Call Phillips Webster for a free consultation.

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Recalls 2010: Honda, Nissan, and GM Recall More than 2 Million Cars in March

defective product attorneys, recall

March 16th, 2010: Law Blogger

Defective Product LitigationHonda has been playing catch-up to Toyota since the Prius came out. Their sales were lower, their revenue was lower, and their stock was lower. It’s enough to affect a global car manufacturer’s self esteem.

Now, Toyota is again eclipsing Honda in the news with recalls associated with the sudden acceleration of most of the models they offer. Being in the news all of the time has prompted Toyota to offer zero percent financing for 24 months on cars that are actually still on their recall list and may or may not be fixed. People don’t seem to care because they’re buying  Toyotas anyway, leaving Honda shrugging and as jealous as a 4th place Olympian.

So Honda has announced recalls, loudly. Usually these recall announcements come on Friday afternoon at around 4:59 pm when all of the news people have already hit 4 pm happy hour. But not this time. Honda wants the publicity. The old saying goes, and Toyota has proven it, “there’s no such thing as bad press.”

Honda Recall Details

Honda has recalled more than 410,000 Odyssey minivans and Element small trucks. They are having braking system problems that could make it harder to bring the vehicle to a stop if not repaired, Honda spokesman Chris Martin said.

These types of brake problems can make an owner have to stamp on the brakes and may cause longer than normal stopping distances. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported three crashes due to the problem with minor injuries and no deaths, Martin said.

Honda notified NHTSA of the recall on Monday, he said.

The recall includes 344,000 Odysseys and 68,000 Elements from the 2007 and 2008 model years.

Honda said that over time, brake pedals can feel “soft” and must be pressed closer to the floor to stop the vehicles. If left as it is, the problem could cause a major loss of braking power and possibly an accident.

“[The brake line is] definitely not operating the way it should, and it’s safety systems, so it brings it to the recall status,” Martin said.

This is not the first recall of the Honda Odyssey. Honda recalled some in February of last year for faulty emergency brakes. This problem caused no injuries and was considerably smaller than this problem.

Recalls on the Rise

In a perfect world all cars would work perfectly straight off of the production line. This is certainly not a perfect world, but voluntary recalls help get us closer.

Nissan, on March 3rd, announced the recall of more than a half a million saying, “the recall covers the Titan, Armada and Infiniti QX56 built from 2005 to 2008, and the Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra produced between January and March 2006 and between October 2007 and January 2008.” Apparently the brake pedals could have faulty components that cause the pedals to wobble.

Just two days earlier General Motors recalled 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac compact cars sold in the U.S., Canada and Mexico to fix power steering motors that can fail. The recall affects 2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts, 2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5s, 2005 and 2006 Pontiac Pursuits sold in Canada and 2005 and 2006 Pontiac G4s sold in Mexico. They say that the cars can become difficult to steer under 15 mph.

In the past these problems were called “quirks”. Unless people were dying then they either had to live with it or get out the old tool kit and fix it themselves. That is until Ralph Nader came along in the late 70’s and changed all of that. Since then car companies have been learning hard lessons over and over again about putting profit before their customer’s safety. Yet they keep on doing it. Toyota is no different this time.

Luckily for the consumer recalls have risen and perhaps with this gargantuan Toyota fiasco, the car manufaturers have finally learned their lesson, because as the chart below shows, recalls are rising and on the heals of the Toyota recalls have shot through the roof.
Toyota Recall

Defective Automobiles

The difference between the Honda recalls and the other recalls this month is that the Odyssey is a very popular vehicle to transport children. It is the quintessential family travel machine and the NHTSA has given it an impressive 5 star crash safety rating. Unfortunately, with brake problems it will need it.

The point is that, if you are a safe defensive driver, then barring other people’s erratic driving habits, you should be able to rely on your car to get you to your destination safely. Of course every car eventually has engine troubles, but driving down a hill toward a busy intersection and finding that your brakes have failed is not “engine troubles”. It is a life or death situation that can lead to serious personal injury or even wrongful death.

If you or someone you know has been adversely affected by a defective automobile it is essential that you contact legal council that is experienced in defective product litigation. Call Phillips Webster to speak with a legal professional about your legal options.

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Recall Warning: Lifescan OneTouch SureStep Test Strips Yield False Results

defective product attorneys, defective products, recall

March 1st, 2010: Law Blogger

Defective Product LawyersThe technology for testing blood glucose (sugar) levels which aid in helping diabetics control their insulin levels has made major strides in the last decade. The painful thumbtack has been replaced by high tech digital reading devices. Though far more sanitary, pleasant, and convenient, technology has its flaws. When gauging the insulin levels, a mechanical error can have disastrous results.

Now Lifescan has issued a voluntary recall of 8 items in their product line. Lifescan is a subsidiary of medical equipment and pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.

On their website, Johnson & Johnson confirmed the recall and elaborated that the Lifescan Onetouch meter that these strips go to was discontinued both in Canada and the US in 2006, but the company remained providing strips for them. They added that their new Onetouch is vastly different technology and superior, suggesting that it is time for an upgrade.

Lifescan OneTouch SureStep Recall Details

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an open letter to the public and health care providers such as nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, and other facilities regarding using SureStep®Pro®, SureStep®Flexx® or OneTouch® SureStep® Hospital Systems. These glucose measuring systems use SureStep®Pro® Test Strips.

The full list of recalled products include:

  • 100-ct – OneTouch SureStep  # 2969251
  • 100-ct – OneTouch SureStep  # 2969798
  • 100-ct – OneTouch SureStep  # 2982369
  • 100-ct – OneTouch SureStep  # 2983467
  • 50-ct – OneTouch SureStep  # 2969795
  • 50-ct – OneTouch SureStep  # 2982566
  • 50-ct – Medicare/Mail Order # 2969481
  • 50-ct – Medicare/Mail Order # 2998193

These products may produce false low readings when the blood glucose reading is greater than 400 mg/dL. The FDA and LifeScan has advised healthcare facilities of the appropriate actions to take in order to continue to use these SureStepPro Test Strips.

It has been advised that healthcare facilities with access to alternative means of testing should consider discontinue using SureStep Systems until non-defective replacement test strips are available.

Consumers are advised to use alternative methods if available. If none are available, continue using the strips and contact a physician if levels are greater than 400 mg/dL.

Lifescan OneTouch SureStep False Readings Side Effects

Defective Medical DevicesRecently in February, 2010 a diabetic professor at a college in Washington state was standing in the hall of his college and he had no idea where he was. He had gone into diabetic shock. He approached a colleague as if they were a stranger and ask the way outside. She realized by his glossed over look that there was something seriously wrong.

In the hour that followed medical crews arrived and proceeded to physically fight with the professor as his worst nightmares rushed to his head, not being able to recognize that they were trying to help him. They got him sedated and to the hospital just in time. He very well could have slipped into a coma. This is an extreme case, but extreme cases are what happens when a diabetic’s warning system isn’t working effectively.

The side effects that tell a diabetic that they have not properly regulated their glucose and insulin levels can be very subtle. As you might realize from the story about the professor above, the side effects can sneak up and have dire results. Watch for some of these side effects when using the Lifescan Ontouch Surestep product line:

  • shaking
  • sweating
  • irritability
  • headache
  • tingling
  • hunger
  • blurred vision
  • dizziness and confusion
  • numbness of the lips
  • nausea or vomiting
  • fast heart rate
  • sudden tiredness
  • seizures
  • pale appearance
  • frequent sighing
  • personality change
  • confusion or poor concentration
  • loss of consciousness

Protect Yourself from Harm from Recalled Products

This is a voluntary recall by Lifescan because of reports from healthcare providers and consumers. Though Johnson & Johnson has stopped producing these machines does not mean that they are not liable for their correct operation, particularly in life threatening situations such as the most dangerous of side effects of misread insulin levels in diabetics.

If you or a loved one have found yourself a victim of this recall or other defective medical devices it is important that you get representation that has proven experience with defective product litigation when dealing with large companies that have endless resources. Call Phillips Webster to review your legal rights and find out your legal options.

The Dangers of Anosmia – Why the Zicam Issue Matters

anosmia, defective drugs attorneys, depression, FDA, gas leaks, injuries, loss of sense of smell, recall, side effects, Zicam

June 18th, 2009: Washington Law Blogger

When people hear about products being recalled and the FDA warning the public to stop using them because of a link to serious side effects, most would assume those side effects are more severe than the loss of the sense of smell. Anosmia, as it’s known in medical circles, is a condition that’s been diagnosed more than 130 times in consumers who had used certain Zicam products, and as a result it’s no longer available in retail outlets around the country.

We’ve been posting about the details of the issues involving Zicam lately, but some are wondering why anosmia is something to be concerned with, when other products have been known to cause cancer and death. However, basic research will tell anyone that the loss of the sense of smell, particularly if it’s permanent, can be a dangerous condition for several reasons.

When someone cannot smell, the most obvious danger it creates is that those people may not be able to sense dangers that include smoke from a fire or poisonous substances or gas leaks. However, there are other problems associated with anosmia, and they are directly correlated with the longer duration of this condition.

Those who cannot smell will often fall into a depression, as they understand that they are physically limited and are also concerned about their lack of ability to detect the dangers described above. Medical experts have also noted that those with anosmia will slowly lose weight as a result of a loss of appetite, and this can create many other medical problems that are high-risk in nature.

Ultimately, anosmia is a serious enough side effect that the FDA ordered the makers of Zicam to stop marketing the product and for Matrixx Initiatives, Inc., the manufacturer, to voluntarily pull the products from the shelves. If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of using Zicam, contact the defective drugs lawyers at Phillips & Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Zicam Removed from Retail Shelves

ansomia, attorneys, FDA, injuries, Matrixx Initiatives, recall, side effects, warning, Zicam

June 17th, 2009: Washington Law Blogger

Yesterday, we alerted our readers to the fact that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had issued a public warning regarding the dangers associated with several Zicam products. The agency also delivered a letter to Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. stating that they had to stop marketing these products unless they decided to put them through the normal FDA approval process that’s required of other medications.

Today, Matrixx Initiatives, Inc. responded by voluntarily pulling the products in question from retail shelves across the United States until the matter is resolved. The three specific products within the overall product line that were pulled include:

  • Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel (15mL, NDC 62750-003-10)
  • Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-20)
  • Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (20 swabs, NDC 67250-003-21)

To reiterate the warning issued by the FDA yesterday, you should immediately stop using these products if you have them in your home.

The reason this issue arose is because the FDA received at least 130 reports of consumers using the Zicam products listed above and developing ansomia, which is the loss of the sense of smell. Consumers reported the development of this side effect soon after use, and while no duration of the condition has been defined, some reported that it took several months for their sense of smell to return.

It’s believed that zinc, one of the ingredients in Zicam products, was the reason for this side effect, as it has been known to create similar problems in people who have been exposed to it in the past. If you or someone you love has been harmed as a result of using Zicam, contact the defective drugs attorneys at Phillips & Webster immediately to schedule a free initial consultation.

Hydroxycut Products Recalled

attorney, Defective Drugs, defective products, dietary supplements, FDA, Hydroxycut, recall, side effects

May 6th, 2009: Washington Law Blogger

The makers of Hydroxycut announced a recall of 14 products, effective immediately on the heels of scrutiny from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The specific products recalled were:

  • Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
  • Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
  • Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Capsules
  • Hydroxycut Max Liquid Capsules
  • Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
  • Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
  • Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
  • Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
  • Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
  • Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
  • Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
  • Hydroxycut 24
  • Hydroxycut Carb Control
  • Hydroxycut Natural

The products were recalled because of at least 23 reports of serious side effects developing in consumers who purchased more than 9 million containers of it within the past year. The side effects involved serious damage to consumers’ kidneys and livers, and one 19-year-old man died after using Hydroxycut.

Hydroxycut was a popular product line because it marketed itself as a ‘natural weight loss’ solution that used natural products. However, it has yet to be determined which ingredient or ingredients are responsible for these side effects, as the ingredients seem to have changed several times.

If you have been using any of these products, you need to stop using them immediately, as was stated by the FDA. If you’ve been injured as a result of using them, you need to contact the defective drugs lawyers at Phillips & Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation.