Over the years, class action lawsuits have become a standard legal tool for seeking justice and compensation for victims of injuries or harm caused by the negligence of a company, organization, or individual. The Taxotere watery eyes lawsuit exemplifies how class action lawsuits can help victims receive justice.
Taxotere is a brand name for docetaxel, a chemotherapy drug used to treat some types of breast cancer. Unfortunately, this drug has been linked to serious side effects, including permanent dry eye syndrome. This condition can cause severe discomfort and vision problems, including watery eyes.
What Is The Taxotere Watery Eyes Lawsuit?
The Taxotere lawsuit includes over 170 plaintiffs as of January 2023 who allege that Sanofi-Aventis (the drug’s manufacturer, hereafter Sanofi) didn’t warn of the potential for permanent dry eye syndrome. The lawsuit claims that the company not only concealed this risk but also downplayed any reports of side effects.
This lawsuit is different from the Taxotere Hair Loss Multidistrict Litigation (MDL), which saw over 30,000 lawsuits against the same manufacturer. On January 12, 2022, Taxotere attorneys filed to have the judicial panel on MDL move the watery eyes lawsuit to a different MDL than the hair loss MDL.
This move was opposed by Sanofi, claiming that there were not enough lawsuits to justify their consolidation to a different MDL. However, on March 11, 2022, the judicial panel created a separate MDL for the watery eyes lawsuit. This lawsuit was for people who developed epiphora (watery eyes) after receiving Taxotere.
How Can You Get Involved?
If you’ve taken Taxotere and experienced watery eyes or any other related symptoms, you may be eligible to join the class action lawsuit. However, it’s important to note that time is limited. Most states provide a two-year window to file a product liability lawsuit, so acting now is essential. An experienced attorney can help you understand your rights and determine if you qualify for the class action lawsuit. Additionally, an attorney can guide you through the legal process and work to ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses.
To build a strong case, you need to provide medical records from your oncologist and ophthalmologist. These records document the development of your watery eyes (epiphora). Moreover, they prove that you had taken the Taxotere medication and experienced damage.
What Are The Developments In The Taxotere Watery Eyes Lawsuit?
There have been several developments in the Taxotere watery eyes lawsuit. Here’s a breakdown of what has been happening:
- January 12, 2022: Plaintiff attorneys asked the judicial panel on MDL to consolidate the watery eye cases into a separate MDL.
- March 11, 2022: The judicial panel created a separate Taxotere Watery Eyes MDL and ordered all pending lawsuits to be transferred to this new MDL.
- March 21, 2022: New studies show that Taxotere could cause up to 7 times watery and teary eyes. The studies also show that the drug can cause optic neuropathy and epiphora.
- June 3, 2022: All cases were consolidated under Judge Jane Triche Milazzo in Louisiana. This significantly boosts the lawsuit, as it will involve many defendants and plaintiffs.
- August 1, 2022: Sanofi filed a motion to dismiss claims in the class action lawsuit pending in the federal court in Louisiana. Sanofi argued that the warning couldn’t be changed. Still, this argument is unlikely to succeed because a warning regarding eye injury was added in 2002. The plaintiffs argued that the warning failed to fully disclose the risk.
- January 17, 2023: The class action lawsuit is growing, and there are over 170 plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit.
What Is Sanofi Accused Of?
According to the Taxotere watery eyes lawsuit, Sanofi acted negligently in several ways. The company is accused of the following:
- Lack Of Proper Labelling And Warning
Drug manufacturers must communicate the complete risks and potential side effects. However, Sanofi didn’t adequately warn about the risks of developing watery eyes from Taxotere use.
Under federal law, Sanofi was required to update Taxotere labeling as soon as information about adverse events became available. But they didn’t do so, which resulted in patients being unaware of the risks associated with Taxotere. This breach of their obligation led to the development of the class action lawsuit.
- Failure To Warn Oncologists
As more research is done on Taxotere, it is becoming increasingly clear that the drug should not be used as a first-line treatment for breast cancer. However, Sanofi failed to inform oncologists about this, resulting in patients being prescribed the medication unnecessarily and risking their health.
- Failure To Disclose The Possibility Of Impaired Vision
Sanofi was believed to be abreast of the likelihood of vision impairment from Taxotere use but failed to communicate them to patients. As a result, many individuals have developed permanently impaired vision or even blindness after taking the drug.
The label on Taxotere has a ‘Post-Marketing Experiences’ section. Here, all the adverse effects that users have had with the drug should have been disclosed. However, it only included a single statement about how lacrimal duct obstruction could lead to excessive tearing. This vague statement doesn’t warn of the potential risks. It simply lists excessive tearing and eye redness as ‘the most common side effects of Taxotere.’
Potential Vision Lawsuit Injuries
The Taxotere watery eyes lawsuit is currently ongoing, but the potential injuries that can be covered by it include:
- Loss of vision or partial blindness: Many individuals have reported losing their vision or partial blindness after taking Taxotere.
- Epiphora: Excessive tearing characterizes this condition and can cause discomfort, blurred vision, and other symptoms.
- Optic neuropathy: The optic nerve may become damaged due to using Taxotere, leading to vision issues.
- Blocked or Narrowing Tear Ducts: Another side effect of Taxotere use is tear ducts becoming blocked or narrowing, resulting in watery eyes.
- Dry Eye Syndrome: Dry eye syndrome is another potential injury that can be caused by taking the drug, and it can lead to soreness and irritation in the eyes.
Conclusion
The Taxotere watery eyes lawsuit is growing, and more people are joining in to seek justice for the damages they have suffered. If you or someone you know has been affected by this drug, they must seek legal advice to be part of the class action lawsuit and receive the compensation they deserve. With many plaintiffs now involved, a settlement will likely be reached.