Taxotere Lawyers
If you've suffered permanent hair loss after using Taxotere, you may be entitled to compensation.
It's scary to receive a cancer diagnosis, and it's hard to predict how your disease will affect you and your family. Many people survive cancer thanks to comprehensive cancer studies, and oncologists and researchers that work tirelessly to ensure that cancer patients receive the most up-to-date, appropriate medical care.
Patients are sometimes given drugs to slow the progression of cancer in their bodies. One of the most widely used drugs for the treatment of cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer, stomach cancer in advanced stages, head and neck cancer, metastatic prostate cancer, and most commonly breast cancer is Taxotere. Although this medication has been shown to be effective as a chemotherapy treatment, Sanofi-Aventis is being sued by women who have lost their hair permanently as a result of being prescribed Taxotere. The drug injury attorneys at Grimes Teich Anderson are currently are accepting cases involving Taxotere injuries and may be able to help you seek compensation for pain and suffering as well as other damages allegedly caused by the drug.
What is Taxotere?
Taxotere (docetaxel) is a chemotherapeutic anti-cancer medication manufactured and marketed by Sanofi, a French multinational pharmaceutical company. Taxotere has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, advanced stomach cancer, head and neck cancer, and metastatic prostate cancer. To combat cancer and improve patient survival rates, Taxotere is usually combined with other medications such as capecitabine, cisplatin, fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. It works as an anti-mitotic agent, which means it prevents cells from dividing. It's typically given intravenously in one-hour infusion cycles that are repeated every 3-4 weeks.
As a chemotherapy medication, Taxotere has a number of possible side effects that all users will experience. Cancer patients who are eligible for the drug agree to these side effects in the hopes that Taxotere will benefit them. However, even after their cancer has gone into remission, many women who were prescribed Taxotere for breast cancer treatment have experienced permanent hair loss and other severe side effects.
Side Effects of Taking Taxotere
According to mounting evidence in the United States and abroad, Sanofi had partial knowledge of the physically and emotionally crippling alopecia the drug caused in certain patients. Had the manufacturer adequately warned of the risks, patients may have been prescribed a different chemotherapy medication, called Taxol, which is more effective than Taxotere and does not cause irreversible hair loss. Sanofi studies have now shown that at least 3% of Taxotere patients develop permanent alopecia, with the risk more than doubling in patients who received the medication combined with other traditional chemotherapies.
Taxotere has a slew of adverse side effects. Unfortunately, patients are more likely to overlook many of them because Taxotere is a cancer treatment. The following are some of the most common side effects:
- Bone, muscle, or joint pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue and weakness
- Fluid retention
- Infection
- Low red blood cell count
- Low white blood cell count
- Mouth or throat sores
- Color changes to your fingernails or toenails
- Nausea
- Numbness in your fingers and toes
- Taste changes
Additionally, Taxotere has allegedly caused some much more severe side effects, as well. These side effects are included on Taxotere's warning label:
- Fluid retention
- Leukemia
- Neurologic reactions
- Hepatotoxicity
- Hypersensitivity reactions
- Asthenia
- Neutropenia
- Toxic death
Compensation and Justice for Taxotere Victims
How Can I File A Lawsuit Against Sanofi-Aventis for Hair Loss?
Lawsuits against Sanofi claim that the company failed to warn patients and doctors of the risks of Taxotere, and seek compensation for:
- Medical costs for diagnosing and treating the victim's injuries
- Lost earnings and a diminished capacity to make a living
- Physical pain and mental anguish caused by the medical condition
The emotional anguish associated with irreversible hair loss is the primary source of compensation for Taxotere victims who develop alopecia. Their alopecia acts as a constant visual reminder of their cancer, which can have a negative impact on their quality of life.
If you were offered Taxotere as part of your cancer care and have encountered long-term side effects, you can speak with an experienced mass tort attorney about your case. Pharmaceutical companies, such as Sanofi-Aventis, have plenty of cash to spend on legal protection against claims that could hurt their bottom line, even if the allegations are shown to be true. Our lawyers at Grimes Teich Anderson are currently accepting clients who took Taxotere and had permanent hair loss or other significant side effects.
If you have experienced permanent alopecia or other injuries because you took Taxotere, don't hesitate to reach out to one of our drug injury attorneys at Grimes Teich Anderson. We have the experience, legal knowledge, and national relationships to challenge negligent companies like Sanofi. Complete the contact form below or call us at 800-533-6845 to schedule your consultation.
We have multiple locations in the Carolinas to serve you
Grimes Teich Anderson offers free injury consultations and can get started on your case electronically.
ASHEVILLE OFFICE
535 College St,
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 251-0800
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
FRANKLIN OFFICE
244 Porter St Suite D,
Franklin, NC 28734
(828) 564-2488
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
RUTHERFORDTON OFFICE
117 Laurel Dr,
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
(828) 286-1033
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
SPRUCE PINE OFFICE
12474 NC-226,
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 766-7700
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
WAYNESVILLE OFFICE
385 N Haywood St,
Waynesville, NC 28786
(828) 452-7888
Personal Injury Fax:
(828) 210-0178
Workers' Comp Fax:
(828) 236-9200
GREENVILLE OFFICE
111 E North St,
Greenville, SC 29601
Phone: (864) 421-0770
Fax: (877) 518-0107
*Each case is different, so not all information on this website, as well as some which may not be provided, will apply to every case. Because the facts and relevant laws are different from case to case, Grimes Teich Anderson does not guarantee that the outcome, results, or experiences with one lawyer or one case will be similar to another.
Except for Employment Law Cases, Attorney's fees are a percentage of the entire recovery and will be deducted before other expenses. In addition to the fee in these cases, Client will be responsible for litigation expenses, which will either be deducted from the recovery or paid by the client. Some Employment Law Cases may be handled on a contingency fee basis and others handled on an hourly basis, where the client is billed for the hours spent on the case. Based on our experience, we will advise you of the most appropriate fee arrangement in Employment Law cases.
Material on this website is for information purposes and is not legal advice.