Denture cream lawsuits

Zinc is common enough—it is even a dietary requirement. Humans should typically ingest between eight and eleven milligrams per day (often through red meat, nuts and grains). However, lawsuits alleging zinc toxicity of denture creams are showcasing how too much of a good thing can be harmful. A study in Neurology reports that some patients who used denture cream were exposed to at least 330 milligrams of zinc daily—far more than the maximum daily allowance of 40 milligrams. This and other studies form the basis for many of the existing denture cream lawsuits.

There are approximately eleven denture cream lawsuits filed against Glaxo Smith Kline and Proctor and Gamble for their denture cream products—Poligrip and Fixodent. The denture cream lawyers generally allege that the denture cream manufacturers failed to appropriately warn consumers about the risks of zinc toxicity. One defense is predictable—the plaintiffs did not use the product in accordance with the instructions.

However, that defense lawyers' common argument - blame the victim - ignores the fact that a large portion of the denture-wearing population (34 million Americans) have somewhat ill-fitting dentures. The only way to keep them in place is a generous application of denture cream. This is common knowledge. Those people were never warned of the dangers of using denture cream beyond the instructions. From a consumer standpoint, a product that goes in your mouth must be safe to use. Who among us would think of a problem like zinc toxicity from denture cream?

So, here’s the science: zinc in denture cream is absorbed through the gums. High levels of zinc inhibit copper absorption, which can cause a copper deficiency and anemia (weakness). It can also reduce the function of the immune system. Among the more serious effects are paralysis and nerve damage. Symptoms can include numbness or tingling, and lack of balance. One plaintiff claiming injuries from denture cream, a man from east Texas, can barely walk, and only with support.

Though reducing zinc intake to normal levels can help, oftentimes the damage is not reversible, and there is no cure. Victims injured by denture cream may have extensive medical and other needs, which they cannot afford on their own. For example, they may need wheelchairs, transportation, and help working around the house or performing normal activities. Regardless, these are significant injuries that severely limit victims’ independence

Text Messaging Can Kill

In Davenport, Florida, Christopher Cededa, a 14 year old died, after being hit by a vehicle while text messaging on his cell phone. His friends saw the 1994 Buick and stopped. Christopher was busy sending a text to somebody and did not notice the vehicle. The Polk County Sheriff's Office stated that the woman driver probably would not be charged with any violation or traffic citation.

Technology is great but it can cause distractions for pedestrians, bicycle riders and drivers. Just like drinking and driving does not mix. Texting and walking close to roads or across roads does not mix. Christopher's death is tragic for his family and the community. His story may very well prevent other deaths and tragedies from happening in the future

Stop Texting and Drive!!!

Text messaging has far surpassed cell phone calls as the primary means of wireless communication, industry surveys show, and, as a result, more and more drivers are texting while driving. In fact, one study found 75 billion text messages were sent in June 2008!

The consumer research company Nielsen Mobile tracked 50,000 customers in the second quarter of 2008 and found that the average American sent or received 357 texts a month, compared with 204 phone calls. The number is much higher for teenagers who average 1,742 text messages a month.

While the use of text messaging is up, so are traffic accidents attributed to driver distraction. A study conducted by Harvard University for the NSC last year estimated cell phone use contributed to 636,000 car accidents, 333,000 injuries, 12,000 serious injuries and 2,600 deaths last year.

A number of bills introduced into the 2009 Florida Legislature call for a ban on text messaging. In the Senate, Sens. Carey Baker, R-Eustis and Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, both have bills. Baker's would ban cell phone use and texting by drivers who are 18 and younger, while Wilson's bill would ban talking on any handheld device and sending texts for all drivers.

Wilson's bill is "Heather's Law," named after Heather Hurd, 26, a Lakeland-area woman who was killed in January of last year, when a tractor and semi-trailer driver slammed into 10 cars stopped at a traffic light on U.S. 27. The tractor-truck driver reportedly was distracted while sending a text message and was charged in September with careless driving.

In the House, Rep. John Legg, R-Port Richey has a measure similar to Baker's, and Rep. Doug Holder, R-Sarasota is pushing a bill that would ban text messaging only.