If you were diagnosed with Canalicular Stenosis or epiphora during or after chemotherapy with Taxotere, you should contact Hotze Runkle PLLC immediately to discuss your case. You might be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer for the suffering you endured. This chemo drug has been used to treat different types of cancer but can cause severe symptoms, such as excessive eye-watering, that result in an irreversible medical condition.
Researchers performed studies to determine a possible link between a patient’s tears and Taxotere as it’s traveling through the body. They found that secretions from the drug interact with tears, causing inflammation of the canaliculus. This is a vital eye structure that funnels tears from the tear ducts to the nasal cavity. Untreated chronic inflammation can lead to infections and cause the eyes to water excessively.
Epiphora is a common side effect of treating cancer with Taxotere. It can become debilitating and eventually result in the development of Canalicular Stenosis if damage to the canaliculi progresses. You shouldn’t be forced to pay for the cost of necessary treatment when the manufacturer was at fault for selling this dangerous drug. At Hotze Runkle PLLC, our Taxotere epiphora lawsuit attorneys are ready to seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
Why Does Taxotere Cause Canalicular Stenosis and Epiphora?
Sanofi-Aventis is the pharmaceutical company responsible for creating Taxotere to treat different cancers, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, and more. The drug targets cancer cells and destroys them to prevent them from growing and spreading to other parts of the body. Patients responded favorably to the chemo drug but also reported adverse reactions.
Epiphora is typically one of the first symptoms to develop. During ongoing treatments, patients might notice watery eyes. Some will ignore it, thinking it’s a common side effect of chemotherapy. However, it can worsen into a permanent condition without adequate medical intervention and care.
The results of various studies show that the drug’s secretions travel throughout the patient’s body and interact with different fluids, including tears. Direct contact with the drug causes inflammation of the canaliculus. Everyone has four canaliculi. There is one in each eyelid.
Blockages form in the canaliculi that prevent the tears from funneling towards the nasal cavity. Instead, they build up on the surface of the eye, and when the patient blinks, they’re released in large amounts. If inflammation leads to chronic infections, the canaliculi can start to close.
A medical provider could intervene and treat the symptoms of epiphora. However, if you ignore your excessive eye-watering, you could eventually develop Canalicular Stenosis. This is a condition of the canaliculus that leads to a range of symptoms, such as:
- Eyelid swelling
- Eye infections
- Watery eyes
- Light sensitivity
- Headaches
- Dry eyes
- Cloudy or blurry vision
Once the canaliculus begins closing, there’s nothing you can do to open it back up again. If your symptoms continue to progress and you don’t seek treatment from an ophthalmologist, the canaliculus could close entirely. Once that happens, you can’t do anything to reverse this harmful effect of Taxotere. Canalicular Stenosis is a debilitating problem that can impact your life and interfere with your daily routine.
Treating the Symptoms of Canalicular Stenosis
There currently isn’t a cure for Canalicular Stenosis. However, there might be a way to manage the symptoms you’re experiencing. First, it’s crucial that you inform your oncologist of your symptoms so you can stop treating with Taxotere. You can continue chemotherapy, but you should take a different drug.
Two surgical procedures could alleviate your symptoms and prevent your condition from progressing. Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) involves the creation of a new passageway for your tears. The doctor will make an incision between your nose and eye and use the existing structures below to facilitate the proper flow of tears. Some surgeons might even place a stent to keep the passageway open.
Sometimes, a patient’s canaliculus might have become too severely damaged for DCR to be effective. At that point, if existing structures can’t form a new tear drain, the surgeon could perform conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy (CDCR). During this procedure, the doctor will insert a Jones tube (a tiny glass tube) over the obstructed canaliculus, so tears bypass the damaged structure and funnel into the nasal cavity.
Either surgery could work to manage your Canalicular Stenosis symptoms. However, they also come with various risks, such as:
- Migrating stent or Jones tube
- Significant facial scarring
- Sinusitis
- Damaged tissue
- Blindness
- Chronic infections
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Abnormally fused tissue
You should discuss these treatment options with your doctor, so you understand what to expect and the risks you could face. Surgery isn’t suitable for everyone, and your oncologist might decide that there’s a better way to alleviate your symptoms.
You Deserve Compensation from the Negligent Manufacturer
Patients around the country allege that Sanofi-Aventis didn’t provide warning labels that include the symptoms of Canalicular Stenosis. Many people weren’t aware of the harm they could suffer from Taxotere chemo treatment. It wasn’t until 2014 that the company decided to notify the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of the adverse effects of their drug and print new warning labels. Hiding the dangers of Taxotere prevented cancer patients from making an informed decision about their course of treatment. If they knew about the side effects, they could have chosen a different drug
It might seem overwhelming to go up against a large pharmaceutical company. They have the resources to fight lawsuits and hire experienced and intimidating defense attorneys to represent them. An experienced Taxotere epiphora lawsuit attorney in Wichita, KS, could provide the legal services you need to hold the drug manufacturer liable.
Why You Need an Experienced Attorney on Your Side
You’re more likely to end up with higher compensation if you hire a lawyer than if you choose to handle your case alone. Lawsuits are complex and require adhering to deadlines and following state laws. If you’re not familiar with the process, you won’t know where to look for evidence or how to initiate your lawsuit in court.
Hotze Runkle PLLC knows the steps we need to take to pursue compensation from drug companies. We can file an insurance claim on your behalf and negotiate for an adequate settlement amount. If the insurance company refuses to settle for a number we believe is fair or denies your claim altogether, we might be able to move forward with a lawsuit.
If you want to take Sanofi-Aventis to court, there is a strict filing deadline you need to know about. It’s called a statute of limitations, which is a timeframe for initiating a lawsuit against another party. Kansas has a two-year statute of limitations. That means you have two years from the date of your injury to file suit, or you could lose your right to pursue compensation through the court system.
Losses Eligible for Compensation in a Taxotere Case
You can seek money for various losses suffered from your diagnosis of epiphora or Canalicular Stenosis. These losses result from your treatment and the effect of your symptoms on your life. Whether you file an insurance claim or lawsuit, you might be able to seek compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Loss of future earnings
- Damage to personal property
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Punitive damages
Multiple factors could determine the financial award you deserve for the losses you suffered. Factors that might contribute to the monetary value of your case are:
- Availability of evidence proving Taxotere caused Canalicular Stenosis or epiphora
- The severity of the symptoms
- The duration of the recovery period
- The total costs due to the injury
- Any permanent damage resulting from the medical condition
- The effect of the drug’s side effects on daily routine
- The estimated future cost of necessary medical treatment
- The amount of insurance coverage available on the manufacturer’s policy
Typically, patients with severe injuries after treating with Taxotere deserve more significant compensation than those with minor complications. The Taxotere epiphora lawsuit attorneys of Hotze Runkle PLLC will fight hard to try to reach a positive outcome in your case. We know how important it is to receive an adequate monetary award to compensate for your total losses. You shouldn’t be left with out-of-pocket expenses when Sanofi is responsible for the harm you were forced to endure.
Contact Hotze Runkle PLLC
Hotze Runkle PLLC knows the economic strain of treating your injuries caused by someone else’s negligent actions. You shouldn’t have to pay for additional expenses when you’re already facing multiple medical issues. We take cases on contingency, so there are no upfront fees or costs. We won’t charge you for our services unless we secure compensation from the manufacturer. If we lose your case, you’ll never owe us any money.
Sanofi-Aventis failed in its duty to inform the public of the dangers of their chemo drug. They should have provided adequate warning labels for patients to know about the symptoms they could suffer during their cancer treatment. You shouldn’t have gone through this traumatic experience when you were already dealing with your cancer diagnosis. You can depend on the legal team of Hotze Runkle PLLC to be your advocate and help you fight against the pharmaceutical company.
You will be our priority throughout your entire insurance claim or lawsuit. You will have a dedicated and aggressive Taxotere epiphora lawsuit attorney in your corner fighting for justice. Take our case evaluation quiz today to find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit.