The Indiana Taxotere canalicular stenosis lawyers of Hotze Runkle PLLC are investigating claims of severe side effects caused by the widely-prescribed chemotherapy drug. If you suffered from serious eye problems due to this drug, we will be ready to help you get the compensation you need and deserve.
Epiphora and canalicular stenosis are well-known side effects of Taxotere. The symptoms range from mild to severe, and some are even permanent. Taking Taxotere results in a serious medical condition that’s difficult to treat.
Sanofi-Aventis manufactured Taxotere over 20 years ago to combat different forms of cancer. It’s most commonly used in the treatment of breast cancer but is also beneficial in treating cancer of the stomach, lung, head, prostate, and neck.
Since the release of this widely used chemo drug, Sanofi performed trials proving its efficacy. An oncologist administers it intravenously during chemotherapy on a regimen specific to the patient’s diagnosis. The most common regimens are once a week or once every three weeks.
As Taxotere travels through the body, it locates and attacks abnormal cancer cells. In doing so, the cells shrink and are unable to spread to other areas of the body. Success stories showed an increase in survival rates after undergoing this treatment.
Recent lawsuits uncovered Sanofi’s involvement in manufacturing and distributing a drug that causes adverse reactions. In Complaints filed by thousands of plaintiffs, they alleged that Sanofi knew Taxotere could cause symptoms of Canalicular Stenosis but didn’t print it on the warning labels.
It wasn’t until years after the drug went to market that medical researchers uncovered its link to various symptoms experienced by cancer survivors. The published research showed that direct contact between secretions from Taxotere and a patient’s tears cause inflammation leading to epiphora.
The pharmaceutical company’s reckless actions and total disregard for their consumers’ health led to breast cancer survivors suing them. Currently, Hotze Runkle PLLC represents clients throughout the United States for the diagnosis they received after taking Taxotere.
The most common symptoms reported include:
Patients initially noticed symptoms during their treatment. It started with watery eyes. Over time, more symptoms developed, leading to a diagnosis of canaliclar stenosis. If left untreated, this ocular condition is permanent and irreversible.
Cancer causes the growth of abnormal cells throughout the body. It develops when normal functions cease to work. Instead of dying, old cells grow uncontrollably into abnormal cells. Those cells form a mass of tissue known as a tumor.
A physician administers Taxotere into the bloodstream to combat those abnormal cells. When used effectively, it shrinks the cancerous cells and prevents new abnormalities from developing and spreading to other areas of the body.
Cancer treatments are a fantastic advancement in modern medicine. Taxotere is highly effective but comes at a cost. Research shows secretions from the drug interact with bodily fluids, such as urine, vomit, and even tears. Contact with the tears leads to inflammation of eye structures called canaliculi.
Inflammation alone doesn’t cause any serious problems. However, when left untreated, chronic inflammation develops into an infection. The eye infection obstructs the canaliculus, preventing tears from traveling through to the nasal cavity. Over time, the obstruction becomes so problematic that it causes closure of the canaliculus. Once closed, symptoms persist, and medical intervention is limited.
Epiphora, on its own, is only a minor inconvenience. With early diagnosis and management by an ophthalmologist, eye drops relieve watery eyes. Additionally, topical steroids reduce chronic inflammation.
Unfortunately, many patients undergoing Taxotere chemo think eye-watering is a typical symptom. They assume it will go away once they complete their treatment. However, their symptoms persist even after reaching remission.
In minor cases of canalicular stenosis, you could manage your symptoms with the help of a doctor. In situations where the condition is more severe, surgical intervention is the only possible solution. DCR, dacryocystorhinostomy, is an invasive and expensive procedure performed on the damaged canaliculus.
During the surgery, the ophthalmologist removes a piece of bone in the nasal cavity to create a new passageway for tears to travel. By doing so, the tears completely bypass the obstructed canaliculus and funnel through the new structure instead of getting released from the eye.
In patients with an advanced diagnosis, the obstruction in one or both canaliculi is so severe that DCR isn’t an option. When that happens, CDCR is a possible solution. Conjunctivodacryocystorhinostomy uses a glass tube (Jones tube) in place of the canaliculus for the proper drainage of tears.
Like any surgery, both DCR and CDCR come with many risks. The most common side effects experienced from these procedures include the following:
It’s devastating beating cancer, then finding out you’re up against a whole new set of challenges. Trusting a drug that caused more harm to your body is an overwhelming feeling. Sanofi failed in its duty to inform consumers of the dangers of Taxotere.
If your doctor diagnosed you with epiphora or canalicular stenosis during or after your Taxotere treatment, you might qualify as a lawsuit claimant. Sanofi violated its duty to report symptoms of their drug to the FDA. Patients and their families around the country suffered because of the manufacturer’s negligence.
A lawsuit is complicated and time-consuming. If you’re unfamiliar with your state’s laws and statutes, you should hire an attorney from Hotze Runkle PLLC. We know the necessary steps to prove Taxotere caused your symptoms as opposed to a previously diagnosed condition.
Indiana law places time limits on when you could file a lawsuit against another party and what constitutes product liability. In product liability cases, the statute of limitations is two years. That means you only have two years from the date of your injury to sue Sanofi for a financial award. After two years pass, you’re not allowed to bring legal action against them for this specific situation.
Hiring an experienced Indiana Taxotere lawsuit attorney ensures higher compensation than if you try to handle your case on your own. Without the guidance of an experienced defective pharmaceutical lawyer, you might not know what your rights are or what a fair settlement looks like. You might accept the first offer you receive because you don’t realize you deserve more.
The drug company’s legal team will also aim to wear you out through exhausting legal methods. They bury you under a mountain of paperwork and use intimidation so you’ll give up and drop your suit.
Contacting Hotze Runkle PLLC to handle your case for you is your best option to make sure you receive fair treatment. We won’t allow the other party to get away with the careless actions that led to your debilitating condition. We’ll fight hard to seek justice and get the full settlement you need.
The financial compensation you receive depends on multiple factors, including:
Indiana product liability settlements usually compensate victims for the damages they incurred. Damages are losses resulting from an accident or injury. In Indiana, you could receive compensation for economic, noneconomic, and punitive damages such as:
Filing a lawsuit doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll receive the settlement you want. Building a strong case and gathering as much evidence as possible is essential in holding Sanofi responsible for their negligent behavior. Hotze Runkle PLLC will work tirelessly to try to get you a considerable amount of money that pays for your expenses.
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we commit our time and attention to providing superior client services. Our attorneys take an individualized approach to each case to ensure we reach your goals. When you hire us, we’ll use all the resources at our disposal to recover the compensation you deserve.
We know this is a stressful time in your life. We don’t want to add to your burden, which is why we offer free consultations. There’s no risk or obligation to speak to us about your case and receive useful advice. We’ll walk you through each step of the litigation process and help you make the best decision to fulfill your needs.
If you or your loved one experienced any symptoms of epiphora or Canalicular Stenosis, you might qualify for a Taxotere lawsuit. Take our Case Evaluation Quiz to find out if you qualify for compensation.