Call Hotze Runkle PLLC today if you’ve developed epiphora or canicular stenosis as a result of taking the chemotherapy drug Taxotere. Taxotere is most commonly used to treat breast cancer. Recent lawsuits raised awareness about the debilitating medical condition it causes. Watery eyes, blurry vision, and swollen eyelids are just a few of the bothersome symptoms patients experienced after completing their Taxotere treatment. Whether you took the chemo drug once a week or once every three weeks, you could develop symptoms of Canalicular Stenosis.
When functioning correctly, the canaliculus funnels tears through the tear ducts and to the nasal passage. If it becomes blocked or obstructed from an infection or inflammation, it causes excessive tearing and watery eyes. If you don’t seek treatment from an ophthalmologist, it could lead to Canalicular Stenosis.
Side effects of Taxotere can have a lasting impact on your life and your ability to enjoy the activities you once used to. It’s not just a minor annoyance; it also causes emotional and physical damage to anyone experiencing them. Dealing with chemotherapy is overwhelming enough without developing side effects from a drug designed to treat cancer. The Michigan Taxotere lawsuit layers from Hotze Runkle PLLC understand this is a devastating time in your life. We use our experience, resources, and knowledge to ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
How Does Taxotere Cause Canalicular Stenosis?
The pharmaceutical company, Sanofi-Aventis, developed Taxotere to prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading throughout the body. It is especially useful in the treatment of breast cancer. The oncologist administers the drug once a week, biweekly, etc., depending on the severity of the disease. However, hundreds of lawsuits filed against Sanofi brought awareness to the side effects it causes.
Epiphora typically develops during chemo treatment. Epiphora is a condition that causes excessive watering of the eye. This particular symptom affects an individual’s ability to perform routine tasks, such as reading and driving. Studies showed a patient’s tears interacted with Taxotere as they traveled through the ducts and surrounding structures of the eye. This direct contact led to infection and chronic inflammation, resulting in watering eyes.
If you don’t undergo an evaluation by a medical professional, epiphora could develop into Canalicular Stenosis, which is irreversible. Former breast cancer patients noted the following symptoms after taking Taxotere:
- Excessive tearing
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Sensitivity to light
- Dry eyes
- Swollen eyelids
- Clouding of the eye lens
- Eye infections
- Cystoid macular edema
Without early diagnosis and management of your watery eyes, the canaliculi could close completely, blocking your tears from passing to the nasal passages. Complete closure of important structures disables your eye from functioning as usual. With nowhere else to go, your tears have no choice but to exit your eyes in unusually large amounts.
Is There A Cure for Canalicular Stenosis?
The effects of Canalicular Stenosis are permanent and irreversible. However, you could treat your symptoms with the successful completion of DCR. DCR, dacryocystorhinostomy, is an expensive and invasive ocular procedure. During the surgery, a stent gets positioned, so the tears bypass the obstructed tear duct and travel through the nasal passage to the nose. Despite some success with DCR, breast cancer survivors experienced side effects as aggravating as their epiphora. The various risks you’re potentially exposing yourself to after undergoing DCR includes:
- Excessive bleeding
- Facial scars
- Blindness
- Infections
- Displaced stent
If you’ve experienced any of these side effects, you could be owed significant compensation from the manufacturer, and our Taxotere (canalicular stenosis) lawyers could help you get the justice you’re owed.
Should I File A Lawsuit for the Negative Side Effects I’ve Experienced?
Despite Sanofi-Aventis’s marketing efforts of Taxotere since 1998, they didn’t release warnings regarding the possible adverse reactions until 2014. A former employee also came forward, accusing the company of paying physicians to prescribe the drug for uses the FDA never approved. The drug manufacturer’s failure to disclose relevant information about potential side effects led to an onslaught of lawsuits from former cancer patients.
When facing the decision to battle big pharma, it seems like a daunting task. You might not know what your rights are or how to file a lawsuit. Our experienced Michigan Taxotere lawsuit lawyers will guide you through the legal process from start to finish. We know how to gather the necessary evidence and prove your claim is valid. You shouldn’t go through this challenging time in your life on your own. We will be there every step of the way to answer your questions and advise you on your best courses of action.
Previous lawsuits prove how important it is to stand up to manufacturers like Sanofi. We believe in seeking justice for the wrongdoings of others. Every pharmaceutical company is responsible for ensuring the safety of consumers buying their products. If you developed unfavorable symptoms after taking Taxotere, you have a right to hold Sanofi accountable for their careless actions.
Do I Need A Lawyer to File a Lawsuit?
Victims of negligence try to handle their lawsuit on their own. They believe it will cost them less money in the long run without the added expense of legal representation. However, there are various laws and deadlines in the state of Michigan you must follow. The statute of limitations for product liability is three years. That means you have three years from the date of your injury to bring legal action against an individual or entity. After three years pass, you lose your right to file suit.
If you’re unfamiliar with the legalities of product liability, Sanofi-Aventis’s defense attorneys could take advantage of that. They could file requests with the court requiring documentation you’re unable to obtain or use their resources and experience to intimidate you. Their goal is for you to feel so overwhelmed that you drop your case or accept a settlement much less than you deserve.
The Michigan Taxotere lawsuit lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC won’t allow anyone to take advantage of you. Filing a lawsuit requires the production of documents and evidence proving liability in your case. We know the deadlines we’re up against, and how to locate records we need to show the negligent party caused your injury. We work diligently to meet essential deadlines and recover the maximum settlement available.
What Is My Case Worth?
Our Michigan Taxotere lawsuit lawyers are unable to determine a fair settlement amount without reviewing the details of your case first. There are multiple factors used to determine the appropriate compensation sought in a products liability case. The factors that contribute to your potential reward includes:
- The severity of the injury
- The duration of necessary treatment
- How invasive the treatment is
- The visibility of the injury
- The length of recovery
- Medical evidence proving the negative impact of the injury
In the state of Michigan, you could receive compensation for expenses you incurred as a result of your injury. When it comes to product liability lawsuits, there are two types of damages. Economic damages are expenses, such as medical bills, while noneconomic damages are physical or emotional pain endured by the victim. According to Michigan law, a plaintiff’s award for noneconomic damages cannot exceed $280,000. However, if the injury causes permanent damage to a vital bodily function, the maximum compensation is $500,000.
Examples of economic and noneconomic damages you could recover financial compensation for include the following:
- Medical Expenses: Treatment deemed medically necessary to manage or cure your injuries, such as ER visits, home health care, assistive medical devices, and surgery.
- Lost Wages: If your injury prevents you from returning to work, you could seek compensation for unearned past and future salary, bonuses, commissions, promotions, and paid time off.
- Pain and Suffering: Significant physical pain and suffering that negatively impacted your enjoyment of life and overall happiness.
- Emotional Distress: Psychological or emotional trauma you suffered, such as shock, stress, depression, and anxiety.
- Loss of Consortium: A loved one’s relationship with the victim changed as a result of the injury.
- Wrongful Death: Immediate family members could seek compensation for things like funeral costs if the victim’s injuries resulted in death.
Generally, the more severe your injuries are, the higher the compensation could be. If your physician advises that the symptoms you’re experiencing are permanent, you could recover a settlement that pays for any necessary treatment in the future.
Injured By Taxotere? Take Our Quiz To Find Out What You Might Be Owed
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, our Michigan Taxotere/canalicular stenosis lawyers are committed to getting you justice. Our legal professionals are available 24/7 through our Live Chat feature, so you’re able to reach us whenever you need us. We aim to provide a high level of customer service, no matter what. Whenever you speak with us, we will treat you with professionalism and respect.
We understand the financial burden you face. You’re in pain, unable to work, and worried about paying your medical bills. We don’t want to add to your financial burden. That’s why we provide a free consultation to all prospective clients. There’s no risk or obligation to meet with us to discuss your case. We’ll discuss the details of your unfortunate circumstances and provide the legal advice you need.
If you developed canalicular stenosis as a result of taking Taxotere, take this quiz to find out what you could be owed. We’ll schedule your free consultation with one of our Michigan Taxotere lawsuit lawyers and get you on the road to recovery.