If you have experienced adverse effects or complications of Taxotere chemotherapy, chances are your spouse has also suffered. Seeing someone you love struggling with a debilitating medical condition is devastating. You’re not the only one who might be entitled to compensation for your harm. Your spouse could file a loss of consortium claim to compensate them for the loss of consortium.
Hotze Runkle PLLC knows the consequences of taking a dangerous drug can be far-reaching. It complicates your life and the lives of the people around you. Your spouse should get the justice they deserve for your Taxotere injuries’ effects on your marriage. Learn more about your options by calling us at (800) 763-6155 for a free consultation.
What Does Loss of Consortium Mean?
Loss of consortium is a claim a person can file if their spouse has been killed or injured because of someone else’s misconduct. Suppose you sustained an injury, disease, or side effects from taking Taxotere that directly affects your spouse’s relationship with you. In that case, they might be able to file a loss of consortium claim to seek compensation for their losses.
However, your spouse can’t file a loss of consortium claim independently. They can only pursue compensation if you file a claim for your Taxotere complications. Although the loss of consortium claim is separate from your product liability claim, you must file yours before your spouse can file theirs.
How Does Taxotere Treat Cancer?
Taxotere is the brand name for Docetaxel. Sanofi-Aventis manufactures the drug to treat different forms of cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in 1996. Initially, it was used to treat locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Now the drug treats numerous types of cancer, including:
When cancer forms, normal cells in the body mutate and start growing and dividing rapidly. Uncontrollable cell growth often forms tumors or areas of malfunctioning cells. Chemotherapy is a common treatment to slow or stop cancer cells from growing so they don’t spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastasis.
Taxotere works by targeting microtubules in the cell. Microtubules are essential for cells to change, develop, grow, and divide. When administered, Taxotere freezes the ends of the microtubules to prevent them from shrinking or growing. That paralyzes the cell so it can’t divide or grow, eventually causing it to die.
Common Side Effects of Taxotere
Many cancer patients tolerate Taxotere without serious issues. Some people experience mild side effects they can manage easily with medications. Others experience more severe reactions.
The most common side effects of Taxotere chemotherapy include:
- Vomiting
- Swelling or pain at the injection site
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Toenail or fingernail changes
- Diarrhea
- Temporary hair loss
- Constipation
A black box warning also includes these potential complications that can be severe or fatal:
- Low blood cell counts
- Toxic death
- Fluid retention
- Liver toxicity
- Hypersensitivity reactions
Permanent Consequences of Taxotere
Most Taxotere side effects disappear within days of administration or after chemotherapy treatment concludes. However, some are permanent. The two most commonly reported complications of Taxotere are alopecia (hair loss) and excessive eye watering.
Taxotere attacks more than cancer cells. The drug affects any cell that grows and divides rapidly. That includes healthy cells in bone marrow, hair follicles, the lining of the intestines, and mucous membranes.
Hair loss is expected during chemotherapy. Cancer patients understand the risk of losing their hair during aggressive treatments. When chemotherapy ends, patients expect their hair will grow back eventually. However, some people develop alopecia.
Alopecia is the medical term referring to baldness or hair loss. The damage Taxotere causes to hair follicles might prevent the hair from regrowing. Common symptoms of alopecia include:
- Redness, swelling, and itchy sores
- Scaly bald patches with sores or blisters that open
- Intense itching, tenderness, or burning at the hair loss site
- Burning or stinging before losing the hair suddenly
- Scaly patches of psoriasis on the scalp
Epiphora is another adverse effect of Taxotere some cancer patients experience. It is the medical term for excessive eye-watering, which can be debilitating if not treated properly.
Because the drug courses intravenously throughout the patient’s body, it can have undesired side effects far from the tumor site. For example, when it contacts a person’s tears, Taxotere can cause inflammation in the tear ducts. Chronic inflammation and infection create obstructions preventing tears from flowing to the nasal cavity.
Eventually, Canalicular Stenosis can form and cause symptoms such as:
- Light sensitivity
- Chronic eye infections
- Blurry vision
- Headaches
- Clouded eye lens
- Swollen eyelids
- Central vision loss
- Headaches
Compensation Your Spouse Could Recover in a Loss of Consortium Claim
The compensation recovered in a loss of consortium claim isn’t related to the Taxotere injury, such as medical bills. You can seek a monetary award to cover your lost wages, medical care, and other expenses.
Additionally, when your spouse files a loss of consortium claim, they can pursue money to compensate for their non-economic losses, such as:
- Loss of companionship, love, affection, and assistance
- Loss of emotional support
- Loss of household services, such as cleaning and childcare
- Loss of enjoyment of a sexual relationship
Contact an Experienced Taxotere Lawsuit Lawyer Today
You believed Taxotere would treat your cancer without unforeseen consequences. Now you’re suffering the adverse effects of a dangerous drug the manufacturer didn’t disclose. Your spouse is also struggling with emotional pain and significant disruption to the marital relationship due to your injury.
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we fight for clients and families harmed by others’ misconduct. Your spouse should receive fair compensation for what they have endured while you were dealing with your Taxotere complications. For a free consultation to learn more about whether your spouse can file a loss of consortium claim, call us today at (800) 763-6155.
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