The skilled and experienced defective drug attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC represent patients who’ve suffered severe side effects like Canalicular Stenosis and epiphora as a result of the chemotherapy drug Taxotere. If this has happened to you, we want to hear from you right away.
Recent studies found that Taxotere causes debilitating side effects. The pharmaceutical company, Sanofi-Aventis, created the drug to prevent cancer cells from growing and spreading to other parts of the body. It’s used mostly to treat breast cancer, but is also useful in the treatment of different diseases, including cancer of the neck, stomach, head, prostate, and lung.
Cancer develops when mechanisms in the body fail and lead to the growth of abnormal cells. Instead of old cells dying as intended, they grow uncontrollably and form new cells with irregular compositions. Taxotere intends to attack abnormal cells and shrink them. Although successful in treating different types of cancer, there are some adverse side effects from the chemo drug.
Medical researchers highlighted the potential dangers of taking Taxotere and symptoms that could develop. In thousands of lawsuits filed against Sanofi, breast cancer survivors and their families alleged that the manufacturer knew of the negative impacts, but didn’t disclose them to the FDA during initial trials.
Law firms throughout the United States, including the attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC, are pursuing cases against Sanofi for their role in knowingly manufacturing a drug that causes harmful reactions. Marketing campaigns early in the drug’s existence failed to warn doctors and consumers about the dangerous effects it could have on someone’s health.
Epiphora causes consistent and excessive eye-watering. It happens when there’s an infection of a vital eye structure called a canaliculus. The infection blocks tears from traveling to the nasal cavity and builds up along the surface of the eye instead. That creates excess tears that exit the eyes uncontrollably. Additional symptoms this medical condition could cause include:
It may seem like a minor inconvenience, but for those suffering from epiphora, it negatively affects their daily routine. Any activity that requires the use of your eyes is difficult to perform. Reading, applying makeup, and driving are just a few examples of activities you’re unable to do because of your symptoms.
With early intervention by an ophthalmologist, it’s something you could treat and manage. You can ease some symptoms with the use of eye drops. A topical steroid could also relieve any inflammation you’re experiencing.
Epiphora resolves on its own if allergies or a simple cold causes it. However, if your symptoms develop after undergoing Taxotere treatment, that could indicate a more severe problem.
If you don’t receive the necessary treatment, it could turn into a medical condition called Canalicular Stenosis. When inflammation of the canaliculi leads to chronic infections, it leads to partial or total closure of the vital eye structure. When that happens, it’s a permanent issue you have to deal with for the rest of your life.
Symptoms of Canalicular Stenosis range from mild to severe, and include the following:
It’s irritating just experiencing any one of these symptoms on its own. For anyone affected by all of them, it puts a considerable strain on your life. You could lose your job if you’re unable to perform the required tasks. You might even need someone to drive you everywhere or complete your household chores.
It’s essential to monitor your symptoms with the help of an ophthalmologist to prevent long-term problems from developing. Continuing chemo treatment is possible as long as a specialist checks your epiphora or Canalicular Stenosis regularly to ensure it doesn’t get worse.
During chemotherapy treatment, a doctor administers Taxotere intravenously. It travels through the patient’s body and interacts with various bodily fluids, such as feces, urine, breast milk, and tears. Medical researchers found that the direct contact between tears and secretions of the drug causes inflammation to the canaliculi.
The interaction between Taxotere secretions and a person’s tears subsequently leads to a blockage preventing them from funneling through the canaliculus. When the tears can’t correctly travel to the nasal cavity, they build up in the eyes and get released in large amounts.
In more advanced cases of Canalicular Stenosis, obstructions lead to complete closure of the canaliculi. Once the canaliculi close, it’s permanent. The only solution to manage your symptoms is with an invasive and expensive procedure called DCR.
Unfortunately, Canalicular Stenosis is an irreversible ocular condition that doctors can’t cure. However, DCR could prevent those unruly symptoms that affect your daily lifestyle. DCR, dacryocystorhinostomy, is a surgery performed to create a new passageway for tears to pass into the nasal cavity.
The doctor makes an incision under the eyelid, between the nose and eye, to expose the bone below. He or she drills a hole in the bone or places a stent that forms the new passageway. The tunnel allows the tears to bypass the closed canaliculi and drain into the nasal cavity, so they’re able to exit the eye as usual.
CDCR is an option for those with extreme cases of Canalicular Stenosis. It’s performed when damage to the canaliculi are to the point that the doctor can’t create new structures for the tears. During CDCR, conjunctivodacryocystorhinostom, the surgeon places a glass tube, also called a Jones tube, where a healthy canaliculus used to be before the damage. The Jones tube facilitates the proper movement of tears from the ocular cavity to the nose.
The eye and surrounding structures are sensitive areas of the body. Working on those structures make DCR and CDCR risky procedures with a range of possible side effects. The most common hazards of these surgeries include the following:
You must speak with your ophthalmologist and oncologist about the treatment right for you. As with any surgical procedure, you’ll undergo an evaluation to determine if you’re a candidate for DCR or CDCR. Your doctor will review the relevant information, such as past medical history, current diseases or conditions, and any medications you’re taking. If they clear you for surgery, it’s your best option to live a life without symptoms.
Multiple factors determine the value of a person’s case. The most critical details reviewed are the following:
It’s impossible to guess an exact number you could receive if you decide to sue Sanofi. However, Oklahoma Taxotere lawsuit lawyers will try to recover a settlement that covers your past and future damages. Damages are losses incurred as a result of the accident or injury. In a Taxotere product liability case, you could potentially receive compensation for the following costs:
If you choose to do so, you could even seek compensation for punitive damages. Punitive damages don’t compensate you for any type of expense. Instead, they punish the responsible party for the careless actions that caused your injury in the first place.
Oklahoma law institutes a three-year statute of limitations on most personal injury cases, including product liability. That means you only have three years from the date of the injury to bring legal action against Sanofi for your damages. If three years pass, you lose your right to sue for your symptoms related to Taxotere.
Hotze Runkle PLLC believes in the importance of seeking legal representation during this excruciating time in your life. If someone tries to pursue legal action by themself, they might not understand the legal process or know the financial compensation that they deserve. They end up accepting the first offer they receive, believing they can’t get more. When you hire one of our experienced and dedicated attorneys, we’ll ensure you receive a full and fair settlement.
We understand how overwhelming it is to trust someone and get taken advantage of by them. You believed Sanofi’s Taxotere chemo treatment would help you instead of cause you harm. Depending on a drug that led to side effects you didn’t know existed is an injustice no one should ever experience.
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we dedicate our time and attention to every single client we represent. We use all the resources at our disposal to recover the maximum available compensation. We’ll handle all the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on getting back on your feet. With us by your side, you’ll feel confident knowing you’re in good hands.
We offer a free case evaluation to all prospective clients. There’s no risk or obligation to speak with us about your Epiphora or Canalicular Stenosis symptoms and receive the advice you need. We’ll notify you of your best options so you can make an informed decision that works for you.
Take the Taxotere Evaluation Quiz to determine if your or your loved one’s case qualifies for a lawsuit against Sanofi.