The recent U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter over certain zinc containing Zicam products and their link to anosmia, or loss of smell, have prompted hundreds of lawsuits against the manufacturer. So, who's suffering and how is it affecting their lives?

FDA received 130 reports of anosmia

The FDA says that it has received approximately 130 reports of people losing their sense of smell, either temporarily or permanently, over the course of several years. Some have claimed that they've lost their sense of smell – and sense of taste – after using one of the following (and now recalled) Zicam products:

• Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel
• Zicam Cold Remedy Gel Swabs
• Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (discontinued)

Although the products' manufacturer, Matrixx Initiatives, maintains that their products are safe and have not caused anosmia, consumers who have been injured disagree and are angry that the company didn't conduct more research or warn them about the possibility of losing their senses of smell – a disability that has serious ramifications for many.

To view a short ABC news report on the issue, please click here.

Who's suffering?

Consumers in many industries have reported losing their senses of smell and taste – two of five of our senses – and that those losses have greatly affected their lives. Here are two examples which have been featured in news reports:

• Chefs. Chefs rely on their senses of taste and smell to prepare food. Without them, their careers may be over. News reports have highlighted one Las Vegas chef who lost his sense of smell and couldn't detect a gas leak in the kitchen. Someone else had to alert him to the situation before he sought safety.
• Firefighters. Firefighters need their sense of smell more than anyone to detect smoke and fire in order to rescue others who may be in danger and to keep themselves safe in the process. Many news reports have highlighted that firefighters, as well as other safety personnel, would not be able to adequately assist the public if injured by these products.

While these are just two examples, anyone who has lost these senses will undoubtedly have a very difficult time living life in the manner to which they've become accustomed.

Hundreds of product liability lawsuits filed

Hundreds of product liability suits have been filed against Matrixx – and Zicam lawyers expect many more to be filed in the very near future. In fact, the FDA is requesting that Matrixx release approximately 800 complaints it has on file over the issue. While the company has never admitted liability, it did settle hundreds of similar lawsuits in 2006 for approximately $12 million.

Many of the current lawsuits seek compensatory and punitive damages and assert causes of action such as negligence, products liability, breach of warranty, fraud and failure to warn. If you've been injured, contact a lawyer whose practice focuses in this area of the law to discuss your situation.