If you took Taxotere or another chemotherapy drug containing docetaxel and now suffer from alopecia areata, you may be able to pursue compensation from the drug manufacturer for your related damages. Many cancer survivors have already taken action, filing civil lawsuits and joining the pending multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the defective drug manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis, Inc. A Taxotere lawsuit lawyer can help you evaluate your options.
At D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, we understand how devastating permanent hair loss can be, and how many aspects of your life it affects. We may be able to help you recover compensation for the damage done to your self-esteem and confidence, as well as other economic and emotional damages. We offer free consultations and will evaluate your case with no obligation. Call us today at 713-850-8600 to learn if you are eligible to take legal action.

What Damages Can I Recover With a Taxotere Lawsuit?

Most of the plaintiffs who have taken action against pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis, Inc. are women who underwent chemotherapy for breast cancer, or other cancers. All of them received the drug Taxotere, and claim they became disfigured because of it. The disfigurement stems from their inability to regrow the hair they lost during their treatment for cancer.
Among the claims in these lawsuits:

  • The risk of permanent hair loss is much higher for patients who took Taxotere than other drugs with similar efficacy;
  • The drug manufacturer was aware of the high risk of alopecia areata;
  • The drug maker did little to warn oncologists or their patients of the increased risk;
  • The company is guilty of marketing a defective design; and
  • The company fraudulently misrepresented their drug.

Researchers link Taxotere with the development of the immune system disorder alopecia areata. This disorder damages hair follicles, making it impossible to regrow hair lost during chemotherapy. Suffering from this disorder means the cancer survivor has a constant reminder of their treatment, which is something most people would rather put behind them.
In addition, patients often suffer emotional trauma, including self-esteem struggles and depression. Some struggle socially, or even in the workplace. Often, women invest in expensive wigs or other items to mask their hair loss. If you suffered permanent hair loss after taking Taxotere, we can request compensation to cover all of these damages, and more.

The Current Status of Taxotere Lawsuits

The MDL against Taxotere is still in the early stages, so we can still file claims on behalf of qualified parties who suffer from hair loss because of this drug. If your medical records show you received Taxotere as a part of your chemotherapy regimen and you now suffer from permanent hair loss, you are likely eligible to join this mass tort against the drug manufacturer. We will fight for the compensation you deserve for the physical and emotional damages you suffered. Contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
With many cases pending against the drug manufacturer, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation decided to consolidate the lawsuits against Sanofi-Aventis, Inc. By doing this, the court can prevent a backlog of suits in local courts and allow a single judge from the Eastern District of Louisiana to handle the discovery process, any pretrial motions, and the initial bellwether cases.
The discovery and pretrial process is well underway, with the first bellwether trial scheduled to begin soon. This will be the first of several bellwether cases, giving all parties an opportunity to see how a judge and jury may react to their claims and the evidence they present. The verdict of a bellwether case applies only to that case, but the outcome often helps to encourage settlement offers or other action in other similar suits. Once the bellwether trials are complete, any remaining cases will return to their original jurisdictions for trial.

Studies Show Taxotere May Increase the Risk of Permanent Hair Loss for Chemotherapy Patients.

When Taxotere hit the market, Sanofi-Aventis, Inc. marketed the drug for use against a number of cancers, including:

  • Breast cancer;
  • Stomach cancers;
  • Head and neck malignancies;
  • Non-small cell lung cancer; and
  • Prostate cancer that has spread.

While the drug was effective, many cancer survivors began to report issues with hair regrowth. The drug manufacturer remained silent while researchers and even the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) investigated the link between the drug—and its generic equivalent—and permanent hair loss. The FDA added a warning about alopecia to the package inserts and labels of Taxotere and its generic form.
This seems to confirm what many cancer survivors believe: that Taxotere caused their permanent hair loss. Several studies show an increased risk of permanent hair loss among patients who took Taxotere, including:

  • A 2012 study in the Annals of Oncology that found some women never regrew their hair after receiving the drug—and their hair loss caused psychological distress; and
  • A 2014 study from the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, whichfound that between 10 and 15 percent of cancer survivors had not regrown their hair 3.5 years after their treatment with Taxotere.

The FDA’s action—and these studies—bolster the plaintiffs’ case against the drug manufacturer. While it is impossible to know the outcome at this point, we believe the drug company could owe significant payouts to some or all the plaintiffs who file Taxotere lawsuits.

How Can I Contact a Taxotere Lawsuit Lawyer About My Case?

The D. Miller & Associates, PLLC, personal injury team is ready to go to work for you. We can help you understand if you are eligible to file for compensation and explain your legal options. We handle all these cases on a contingency basis, meaning you owe us nothing until we collect money on your behalf.
If you have permanent hair loss after receiving the chemotherapy drug Taxotere, we will fight for the full value of your case, including the financial, physical, and emotional damages you suffered. Call us today at 713-850-8600 to discuss your situation with a Taxotere lawsuit attorney. We can help you get the compensation you deserve.