The lawsuits filed on behalf of cancer patients who allegedly experienced permanent hair loss following treatment with the chemotherapy drug Taxotere are moving forward in a multidistrict litigation established in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. Initially, the MDL began with 33 cases. In December, the number of cases was reported at 267. As of January 18, 2017, there were 705 cases.
Taxotere is one of many chemotherapy agents on the market. Patients and doctors often choose Taxotere because unlike other chemotherapy drugs, Taxotere is generally administered once every three weeks as opposed to once per week. Had users been informed of the potential risk of permanent hair loss, they could have chosen a different treatment option. While chemotherapy patients are well aware of the risk of temporarily losing their hair, they believe that they will regrow their hair after chemotherapy treatment is complete.
The rising number of lawsuits being filed indicates that many patients may have experienced the adverse side effect of permanent hair loss after taking Taxotere. In August, we published a blog discussing Taxotere hair loss, pending lawsuits, and the failues of Sanofi-Aventis, the manufacturer of Taxotere, in warning patients and medical professionals about the risks associated with the drug.
If you or someone you love has experienced permanent hair loss or alopecia after taking Taxotere, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages, including the emotional injuries you sustained when you and your doctor chose a drug you believed to be safe. Brett H. Oppenheimer, PLLC is currently investigating these cases and can assist you in understanding your legal rights and whether you may have a valid claim.
To discuss your case during a free consultation, contact Brett today. Mr. Oppenheimer is a proven personal injury lawyer who has recovered more than $100 million in compensation for clients across Louisville and the state of Kentucky.