There has been increased momentum in the Taxotere lawsuits that are currently undergoing discovery and various pretrial steps in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana.
Altogether, there are now over 1,100 suits filed by breast cancer patients who have experienced permanent alopecia (hair loss) as a result of taking the chemotherapy drug Taxotere.
[bctt tweet=”Over 1000 lawsuits filed against chemotherapy drug #Taxotere have been filed #HotzeRunkle #LawTeam” username=””]
One factor that has contributed to this high number of cases is that lawsuits involving both Taxotere (docetaxel) and its generic versions are included in the consolidated litigation.
Hotze Runkle PLLC recognizes the importance of the path these proceedings will take. It is vital to future cases and to the lives of affected patients that the manufacturer of Taxotere, Sanofi-Aventis, be required to answer for the suffering they have caused.
Looking Back as Things Move Forward
There is a monthly status conference scheduled for July 7th, which should provide more concrete dates for the trials moving forward.
Perhaps the most promising news that has come out of pretrial developments is that a request by Sanofi-Aventis lawyers to have the suits litigated on an individual basis was not approved.
The request came in spite of years of data showing a repeated pattern of Sanofi-Aventis ignoring the potential of long-term hair loss in patients treated with Taxotere.
In 2012, in the Annals of Oncology, a study was done on 20 patients who were treated with Taxotere during their therapy. Every patient in the study experienced a lasting alopecia.
While that may be an extreme example, a study conducted by Sanofi itself showed the same risks for Taxotere users as far back as the late 1990s.
This study, known as GEICAM 9805, yielded results that showed nine percent of patients who were given Taxotere were afflicted with hair loss that lasted ten years or more.
Those chronic side effects were still not enough for Sanofi-Aventis to provide more than a vague warning concerning hair loss on Taxotere packaging.
In some cases, the alopecia experienced by patients in this study was not restricted to just the scalp. The loss of eyebrows was another long-term consequence for at least one woman in Canada.
[bctt tweet=”#Alopecia (hair loss) can affect more than just the #scalp. #HotzeRunkle #Facts” username=””]
One case that comes up most often is the lawsuit filed by Ami Dodson.
A former breast cancer patient from California who used the drug during her chemotherapy treatment has made a number of allegations against the defendants, concerning events that go as far back as 1996 – over 20 years ago.
The fact that the timeline of her claims stretches back to this year is no accident. It was in 1996 that docetaxel was first approved by the FDA for use in breast cancer therapy.
Dodson was one of the earliest to voice opposition to Sanofi’s marketing of Taxotere as more effective and less toxic in comparison to other chemotherapy drugs. Her suit is something of a template case illustrating how the potential side effects of Taxotere have resulted in lasting, chronic hair loss.
Mrs. Dodson’s case, as well as all those currently pending in Louisiana, should serve as a reminder to all those affected by Taxotere that they don’t have to remain silent.
The national litigation team of Hotze Runkle PLLC is here to help you figure out the legal rights and options that you have.
You can fight back against the negligence and indifference of Sanofi-Aventis and get justice for your troubles.
The time to act is now. Contact our national litigation team today at 512-476-7771 and let us go to work for you. We want to bring you the peace of mind you need to move forward in life.
There are side effects that breast cancer patients can expect when undergoing chemotherapy, with hair loss being among the most common.
One thing that eases the strain of these treatments and their byproducts is the knowledge that the effects are temporary and that patients can expect a return to normalcy after completing them.
Unfortunately, for many breast cancer patients who were treated with the chemotherapy drug Taxotere, the hard times have continued. Many patients have completed treatment only to find that they have suffered from permanent hair loss, or also known as alopecia.
Lawsuits have begun to emerge, revealing that the manufacturer of this drug did not sufficiently warn patients or doctors about the risk of this side effect.
At Hotze Runkle PLLC, we understand that dealing with any type of cancer treatment is difficult enough and no one should have to face continued suffering after the treatment has been completed. Taxotere creator Sanofi-Aventis needs to be held accountable for their negligence.
Our team of experienced attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC want to provide you valuable information so that you can be better informed about the current situation should you find yourself affected by the drug.
Taxotere Allegations In-Depth
There are now more than 1,000 lawsuits undergoing pretrial coordination in the Eastern District of Louisiana centered around allegations that Taxotere caused autoimmune skin disease alopecia in breast cancer patients.
Plaintiffs charge that the drug, which was approved by the FDA in 1996, comes with a higher risk of permanent alopecia when compared to other equally effective chemotherapy drugs. One main point of contention for plaintiffs is that this information was not included on labeling for Taxotere until 2015.
This becomes even more damning for the defendants, Sanofi-Aventis, because regulators and patients in Europe were made aware of this potential side effect a decade earlier, in 2005.
Furthermore, Canadian labels were changed in 2012 to inform patients and other parties there.
It was only in the U.S. that Taxotere came with a vague note that “hair usually grows back” concerning any possible permanent hair loss.
Orders Addressing Discovery and Bellwether Trials
On May 15, a pretrial order instructed both plaintiffs and defendant to propose an order for a discovery schedule as well as dates for bellwether trials by May 26th.
Bellwether trials are a common feature of situations like this where so many lawsuits are directed against a single defendant. The trials will usually involve lawsuits that are representative of the majority of the other cases.
This is done to help all parties involved see whether there is strength behind a plaintiff’s claims. The results can be a good predictor of how future, related trials might be decided by juries.
A May 18th Case Management Order set a number of important deadlines concerning Personal Jurisdiction Discovery:
- By May 26, plaintiffs had to serve personal jurisdictional discovery in response to Sanofi’s motion to dismiss.
- Before June 2, 2017, the two sides would meet again and discuss any discovery that had been served.
- As of June 30, 2017, the defendants would respond and cite objections to discovery.
Another Case Management Order, on the 23rd of May, also addressed discovery. This order stated that any foreign merits discovery related to French Sanofi entities would also be served on the 26th of the month.
The deadlines currently set concerning discovery make it likely that the whole process will last until the early stages of Autumn. In this scenario, the first bellwether trials would likely begin in either November or December of this year.
It is important that everyone who has been affected by Taxotere, whether involved in a similar lawsuit or not, follow the developments around these cases.
Hotze Runkle PLLC is the support you need if you have been harmed as a result of taking Taxotere.
If you have been affected by Taxotere and are unsure about what your legal options are, contact Hotze Runkle PLLC today at (877) 919-0830. Our national litigation team can provide you with the guidance you need to sort through these difficult times.
Don’t face the shadow of Taxotere alone. Our attorneys have the experience you can trust to get the justice and compensation you deserve.
A woman bald from a health problem putting on makeup in the mirror.
Although this treatment has presented itself as a superior option to other chemotherapy drugs such as Taxol, which offers similar results without a greatly increased risk of permanent hair loss, patients are having to deal with the consequences of going through Taxotere treatment without full awareness of its side effects.
Your national litigation firm, Hotze Runkle PLLC, wants to ensure that you are protected from the immoral and illegal actions of major pharmaceutical companies, like Taxotere maker Sanofi-Aventis, who try to take advantage of innocent people.
A Brief History of Taxotere
Developed and marketed by the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi-Aventis, Taxotere was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. While the drug has been prescribed for a number of cancers including non-small cell lung cancer, advanced stomach cancer, head and neck cancer, and metastatic prostate cancer, it has primarily been used as a treatment plan for breast cancer.
According to BreastCancer.Org, as of 2017, there were more than 3.1 million women with a history of breast cancer in the United States. The vast majority of these women, estimated at around 75%, were prescribed Taxotere as a part of their treatment plan.
Because the treatment plan for Taxotere calls for chemotherapy sessions only once every three weeks, in comparison to other drugs that require treatment sessions weekly, the drug was marketed as more effective and less time consuming – an attractive option to patients.
Taxotere has made manufacturer Sanofi-Aventis billions of dollars in profit.
Litigation Issues Against Taxotere
Lawsuits have emerged against Sanofi-Aventis accusing the pharmaceutical company of deliberately failing to disclose the risk of permanent hair loss in order to increase sales.
Various studies, some sponsored by Sanofi itself and others conducted by third party institutions, revealed that a higher percentage of women were likely to suffer permanent hair loss (alopecia) in comparison to other chemotherapy drugs such as Taxol.
This means that the company was fully aware of the life damaging risk of its drug, yet purposely avoided disclosing the dangers to patients.
Other claims against Sanofi include:
- Selling the drug without proper testing.
- Failing to warn healthcare providers.
- Misleading patients through advertisements.
- Falsely assuring patients of returning hair growth.
- Failing to provide adequate warnings on packaging.
Many of these allegations are specific to patients in the United States, as the drug was marketed in other countries with warnings about the potential for permanent hair loss. It was not until 2015 that FDA finally issued a warning in the United States about the potential risks associated with the drug. Prior to the FDA warning, Sanofi suggested that patient’s hair would regrow after treatment.
Additionally, studies suggest that Taxotere is less effective than another chemotherapy drug – Taxol. Evidence found shows that over 89% of women who received Taxol had a higher survival rate than those undergoing treatment with Taxotere.
Additional Chemotherapy and Alopecia Side Effects
Because of the strength of chemotherapy drugs within the human body, many adverse side effects are known to occur in certain patients including:
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Pain at injection site
- Hair loss
- Diarrhea
- Infection
- Anemia
- Mouth or throat sores
- Numbness in fingers and toes
While hair loss does commonly occur with chemotherapy treatment, there are a number of symptoms that you should be aware of that may suggest you are being affected by alopecia:
- Loss of hair on entire body
- Loss of eyebrow and eyelash hair
- Baldness
Unnecessary Suffering
As if having to deal with breast cancer isn’t painful enough, Sanofi-Aventis has subjected women to an on-going, life-changing battle.
The impact of hair loss can greatly affect the quality of life, body image, social functioning, and self-esteem of women who have undergone chemotherapy. Even more so, these unfortunate women must also suffer the loss of or inability to work, which can have dire economic effects in their lives.
If you or a loved one has suffered through the painful and serious side effects of Taxotere, do not hesitate to contact the law offices of Hotze Runkle PLLC today at (877) 919-0830.
Our reliable national litigation team at Hotze Runkle PLLC are here to guide and support the women and cancer patient survivors who have been injured by Taxotere.
Your situation may mean you are entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering.
A eye-opening study conducted by the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (IDVSA) at the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work, and released in late 2016, revealed a startling discovery—Texas had more than 300,000 cases of human trafficking victims, including almost 79,000 minor and youth victims, and over 230,000 adult victims of labor trafficking.
Human trafficking is generally defined as a person being deceived or physically, emotionally, or psychologically coerced into situations of prostitution, forced labor, or domestic value. The United States Department of State considers human trafficking to be a form of modern-day slavery and punishes perpetrators severely; in Texas a convicted offender can receive a sentence of five years to life, substantial fines, restitution to victims, and possible asset forfeiture.
Texas statutes prohibit a number of activities related to the trafficking of humans including: recruiting, transporting, enticing, and providing.
Understanding the Problem
One of the biggest problems of understanding the complications of human trafficking has been to adequately track data. Most databases are only able to provide information on identified victims, which only helps to offer slight insight into the greater problem.
To better address the dilemma of human trafficking, especially in the state of Texas, which is a hub for human trafficking in the nation, the initiative known as the Statewide Human Trafficking Mapping Project of Texas was developed. Various agencies including IDVSA, the Bureau of Business Research at IC2 Institute at UT, and Allies Against Slavery, joined together to better understand the pervasiveness of human traffickings and its socioeconomic impact on the state.
With funding provided by the Criminal Justice Division at the Texas Office of the Governor, researchers were able to analyze numerous databases, work with social service agencies that assist victims, and develop other methods to track human trafficking cases more effectively.
While the authors of the study did note that their estimates were conservative, they hoped that their findings would still be able to offer some support in helping law enforcement agencies better deal with such a devastating and complex crime.
An Unfortunate Reality
The IDVSA research exposed some dismal benchmarks for human trafficking in the state of Texas including:
- An estimated 313,000 victims of human trafficking reside in Texas
- Children and young adults who are homeless or in foster care have the highest risk of falling victim to human traffickers
- The largest number of victims in labor trafficking were found in construction, cleaning services, and restaurant kitchen work
- $600 million is exploited from victims of labor trafficking in Texas
- An estimated $6.5 billion is spent on the lifetime costs of care to victims and survivors of minor and youth trafficking in Texas
Bruce Kellison, Director of the Bureau of Business Research stated, “The economic and social costs of human trafficking in Texas emphasize the importance of preventative solutions and help inform how to prioritize resources to support those who have experienced exploitation.”
When Tragedy Strikes
One of the most recent landmark human trafficking cases in Texas includes a Houston motel that has been accused of knowingly accommodating human traffickers and their victims, and which now faces a civil lawsuit filed by the victim’s family including two younger daughters. The lawsuit against Plainfield Inn, located in Southwest Houston, will be the first of its kind in Texas.
KHOU 11 News reported that the lawsuit claims the owners of the hotel were aware of prostitution, human trafficking, and other criminal activities occurring on their property, yet willingly continued to rent rooms to known criminals. The lawsuit also states that Houston Police responded to over 400 calls in just a two-year period at the Plainfield Inn for numerous crimes.
The news station confirmed that the motel has been sued multiple times by the city and state in an attempt to “clean it up.”
To better develop a case against the defendants, investigators will be able to utilize hotel records, which provide evidence of which rooms were rented out to human trafficking criminals and their victims. Phone records will also help to link traffickers to their victims and to confirm the timeline of events.
If you or a loved one fallen victim to human trafficking, contact the law offices of Hotze Runkle PLLC toll-free today at 877-919-0830. Our attorneys can help you find the justice you deserve.
Potential Causes for the Fracturing of IVC Filters
The adverse effects of IVC filters have caused numerous patients to suffer from perforations to their vital organs, undergo life-threatening surgeries to remove the fractured pieces, and in worst case situations, some IVC filter users have perished. Medical professionals have concluded that if these medical devices are left implanted in a patient that is no longer at risk of a blood clot, the metallic components of the device can fracture and travel to vital organs in the body, causing internal lacerations and bleeding.
Numerous cases and studies have shown that the dangers associated with these medical devices outweigh their benefits, and investigations have raised the concern that two of the largest IVC filter manufacturers, C.R. Bard and Cook Medical, unlawfully misrepresented the efficacy and safety of their products.
Were you directly affected by the fracturing of an IVC filter? Do you know of anyone who has died as a result of vital organ perforations caused by these medical apparatuses?
Contact the law offices of Hotze Runkle PLLC toll free at (877) 919-0830.
A possible reason for the fracturing of these devices.
It was after a CT scan that indicated the intestinal rupture in an IVC filter user that medical professionals began to thoroughly evaluate the reasons why these apparatuses were fracturing and causing plenty of bodily harm to Americans. It appeared that the movement of the inferior vena cava vein itself was connected to reasons why IVC filters were breaking apart and internally perforating patients.
As per a study by Baylor Scott and White Health’s Department of Radiology in Dallas, it was found that the “foreshortening and flattening” of the inferior vena cava was the direct cause of the displacement of the IVC filters.
Plaintiffs argue that doctors are also at fault for IVC filter negligence.
In recent years, a vast number of cases associated with the fracture of IVC filters have come into suit, in order for patients to attain financial compensation, and justice, for their medical burdens caused by the negligence of various parties. Plaintiffs involved in IVC filter litigation have alleged that they were unaware of the life-threatening side effects of these devices and that the risks were never properly disclosed to them.
There have also been allegations against doctors and other medical practitioners involved in the implantation of IVC filters. One major concern has been the lack of removal of these devices in patients who are no longer in threat of blood clots. This inadequate concern about the long-term use of these devices has only increased IVC filter failure.
Other claims state that although IVC filters are used to decrease life threatening blood clots, specifically in patients who cannot receive conventional medical treatment, in many cases, they have been implanted regardless of the patient’s medical status.
What can we learn from these occurrences?
The most important thing to remember about the history of these faulty medical devices is that they can be unsafe, and may damage your overall health, especially when left implanted for longer than necessary. It is also crucial to understand that symptoms such as chest pain, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, and internal bleeding, should never be ignored, as they can be direct indications of an IVC filter complication.
At Hotze Runkle PLLC we care about the physical and financial status of our clients. We understand that circumstances of this nature are burdens that can completely change your lifestyle.
Let us represent your case today! Our success is built on a team of determined attorneys who are dedicated to the defense of our clients.
Contact us toll free at (877) 919-0830.
After 18 years, a woman learns that her IVC implant was the direct cause of an abdominal pain that could have turned fatal.
When Susan Karnstedt began to experience a swelling in her left leg and shortness of breath, she was immediately rushed to the emergency room, where she was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition – deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
Susan understood that her condition was serious and was also aware that she needed to be placed on special treatments.
In 1992, doctors recommended the permanent implantation of an IVC filter; a seemingly safe treatment that would keep blood clots from reaching vital organs.
Nonetheless, in 2010 Susan felt the need to consult with a hematologist regarding her long term use of the Greenfield IVC filter.
To check that the filter was free of clots, and that blood was flowing properly through stents that had been placed in her iliac vein, a CT was performed.
The results were shocking and not what she expected.
Symptoms that signaled medical attention.
When Susan received her CT results, she was devastated to learn that her IVC filter had punctured her intestines.
However, prior to learning that she had been directly affected by this medical device, Susan lived with a chronic abdominal pain that she would describe as a “fork poking sensation”, but never imagined that her IVC filter would have a direct connection with the endless abdominal discomfort.
Susan began to worry that perhaps it was the foods that she consumed that were giving her such a hard time living a normal life. She even began to question whether she should continue her yoga routine and water skiing activities. She also claimed that her pain would worsen as days went by and described it as “debilitating.”
But it never crossed her mind that her IVC filter would be the cause of the agony she was experiencing.
How an IVC complication can make life difficult.
The perforation or migration of these devices have caused plenty of adverse effects through the years. In most cases, the pieces of this device have traveled to the lungs and heart, making it difficult for physicians to perform surgery on patients.
When Susan consulted with the doctors who had implanted her IVC filter, she was told that no one had ever retrieved a non-retrievable filter. They explained that if she did find a physician who would attempt the surgery, it would be unsuccessful.
Fortunately, Susan was able to have her IVC filter removed at Stanford Health Care. Her life was saved, but in many cases, IVC filters have caused death.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, this risk can increase greatly.
Who to turn to for legal help.
The attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC know that a situation of this extent can be frightening and painful. We understand that a crisis can bring forth unexpected expenses that could have a direct effect on your way of life. But you do not have to carry these burdens alone. Let the team at Hotze Runkle PLLC fight for the compensation that will help you through a difficult time.
Call us today for a free consultation at (877) 919-0830
A recent study has found that one in five Medicare patients has sustained injuries from treatment unrelated to their existing medical condition.
Patients are sometimes given the wrong medication, have allergic reactions to certain medications, or receive treatments that exasperate their existing medical conditions.
Lead researcher and gerontology program director at Towson University in Maryland, Mary Carter, said the study consisted of data from over 12,500 Medicare beneficiaries between 1998 and 2005, with 19% of them having suffered from at least one adverse medical event.
Yale University Prevention Research Center director and American College of Lifestyle Medicine president Dr. David Katz mentioned that “medical care, while pledged to avoid harm above all, actually imposes quite a bit of it. Medical injury is all too common, and adverse effects of treatment are common, even in the absence of error.”
Nursing home residents should be able to spend the rest of their years relaxing, not worrying about whether they will be harmed by negligent medical personnel. As such, if your loved one is in a nursing home and has been the victim of abuse, legal action can be taken against the negligent party. Contact our Austin attorneys at Hotze Runkle PLLC by dialing (877) 919-0830.