The effectiveness of chemotherapy is undeniable, particularly when it comes to breast cancer treatment. Being able to halt the production of cancerous cells in early-stage or metastatic breast cancer can help the patient in getting an upper hand when it comes to fighting this invasive disease.
However, while chemotherapy may produce positive results, there is also a long list of side effects, ranging from short-term to permanent, that accompany the treatment. Taxotere (Docetaxel) is a specific chemotherapy drug that can cause epiphora, or excessive tearing from the eyes, in patients who were prescribed it.
If you or a loved one are experiencing extremely watery eyes during or after chemotherapy treatment, then you may qualify to file a personal injury claim due to Taxotere. The national Taxotere lawsuit lawyers at Hotze Runkle PLLC want to fight for the compensation that is rightfully owed to you because of the manufacturer’s negligence.
Symptoms That May Qualify You for a Chemotherapy Tearing Lawsuit
Research has shown that Taxotere can block a patient’s tear ducts, which results in tears spilling over the eyelids that resemble crying because they can’t be drained properly through the ducts. Mild blockage can cause frequent tearing, while a complete blockage will result in a full-on overflow of tears in the patient. Besides the fact that this is unsettling and uncomfortable, the constant tearing can cause other side effects such as:
- Sharp pain around the eyes
- Enlarged blood vessels
- Redness
- Soreness
- Eyelid swelling
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Sudden loss of vision
- Symptoms continue to worsen rather than improve
It is also worth noting that in a study published in 2014 by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), it stated that up to 64% of Taxotere patients were found likely to have epiphora. There are other complications patients noted experiencing with their eyesight besides epiphora, which include:
- Blurred or dulled vision
- Clouding of the lens of the eye
- Loss of areas of vision (cystoid macular edema)
- Headaches
- Sensitivity to light
- Eye infections
- Dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca)
- Swollen eyelids
If you find yourself experiencing these symptoms, getting a diagnosis from your primary care physician or an eye specialist is a good place to start. Then, once you have documented medical proof, seek out a Taxotere lawyer to see if you have a case. There, we can look at the evidence to determine if you have a solid case against Sanofi-Aventis regarding their failure to inform you of the chemotherapy tearing caused by their drug.
Keep in mind that while it may seem that joining a class-action lawsuit would be more likely to bring you justice, opting for a personal injury lawsuit against Sanofi-Aventis often reaps better results.
Hotze Runkle PLLC: National Taxotere Lawsuit Lawyers Ready to Take On Sanofi-Aventis for You
The life-altering consequences of epiphora can affect your mental health as well as your physical health. Going after the manufacturer for minimized mentions of the severity tearing side effects have, or for falsely marketing Taxotere, is a case you deserve to win. You weren’t expecting to conquer cancer and then fall subject to another uncomfortable condition that could stay with you for life.
The attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC don’t believe you have to settle for this compromise. When it comes to Taxotere cases, they’ve fought hard to represent clients injured in product liability cases and plan to continue serving those subject to the unknown side effects they’re learning to live with thanks to Sanofi-Aventis.