Gruesome Side Effects of Taxotere: Women File Complaints for Hair Loss
Sanofi Aventis, a leading drug manufacturer, is facing several lawsuits regarding Taxotere, a chemotherapy drug used for treating breast cancer. Patients complain that the company failed to warn them about the drug’s side effects.
Taxotere, also called docetaxel, effectively treats breast cancer. However, the side effects often range from skin reactions to leukemia. Since it is a strong drug, its side effects on patients tend to be extreme.
In January 2023, a Drugwatch report stated that despite Taxotere’s phenomenal success, side effects such as fluid retention, blood disorders, and several skin problems have emerged. Patients were also told to expect hair loss.
However, in their Taxotere lawsuits, several patients shared that Sanofi Aventis failed to alert them that the drug could lead to alopecia universalis, resulting in permanent scalp or body hair loss.
Patients’ hair regrowth was hindered after a few months of treatment. The regrowth was less than 50%, and some patients didn’t have any hair regrowth.
Another health issue that patients suffered from after using Taxotere is epiphora or very watery eyes. It can lead to vision loss and eye damage. Even though Sanofi Aventis claimed that they addressed this side effect, plaintiffs claimed otherwise.
TorHoerman Law states that individuals who have suffered from alopecia universalis or any other health hazard, such as scarred tear ducts, can file a legal complaint against the company. The litigation is ongoing and the lawsuits are getting consolidated into MDL (multi-district litigation). With the correct evidence and the expertise of a lawyer, victims can get the compensation they deserve.
Taxotere Caused a Woman to Lose Her Hair: What Did She Do?
Ami Dodson is one of the many women who suffered from permanent hair loss after being treated with Taxotere. Even though hair loss or alopecia occurs after chemotherapy, patients shouldn’t be dealing with permanent alopecia. Dodson’s lawsuit shed light on the history of this drug. It also dug out earlier scandals blaming the company for being aware of alopecia risk.
After Dodson’s legal action, most people have started to doubt the drug’s safety. They are urging patients to check whether Taxotere causes permanent hair loss. Dodson herself is waiting to get compensated for her injuries.
The legal documents suggest that Dodson and other patients affected by Taxotere typically have experienced:
- Psychological damage
- Mental anguish
- Loss of work
- Financial damages
Sanofi Aventis had issued a warning for cancer fighters in Europe but concealed the same from their customers in the U.S. In her Taxotere lawsuit, Dodson’s representatives demonstrated that Sanofi Aventis should be held accountable for:
- Breach of warranties
- Emotional distress
- Concealment
- Deceit and fraud
- Negligence
- Misrepresentation
The lawsuit highlighted that the defendant’s actions were both deceptive and illegal.
Ami Dodson’s lawsuit brought this issue into the public eye. Her courageous actions have inspired other women to challenge manufacturers for their negligence and to fight for the justice they deserve.
What is the Taxotere Lawsuit Settlement Amount?
The July 2023 update on the Taxotere lawsuit states that no settlement is yet available. In September 2022, a Forbes news report stated that since there is no settlement date, estimating the Taxotere claim is challenging.
It is necessary to realize that eye damage and hair loss claims are separate. Permanent hair loss is indeed very depressing. But losing one’s vision can lead to an increased settlement, as it blocks a person’s ability to perceive life the way they did before.
The Taxotere claim value is likely to depend on several factors, including:
- The emotional distress faced by the patient
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Extreme hair or vision loss
When filing a legal complaint, patients should be aware that each state has its ‘statute of limitation’. It indicates a deadline by which the product liability cases get filed. Usually, in most states, it is two years from the patient’s date of injury.
Conclusion
The battle that each breast cancer survivor undergoes is challenging and exhausting, both physically and mentally. When they realize they have alopecia universalis and their hair will not regrow, it adds to their sadness. And knowing that it is due to the drug used for their treatment is disheartening and frustrating.
Hence, breast cancer patients must remain vigilant when receiving treatment with Taxotere. They should question their doctor about drug safety. If anyone you know has already used this drug and has experienced the mentioned side effects, they should file a lawsuit. It will help them to recover the damages and raise awareness about this drug.
