When Jacqueline S. of Mississippi was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, she had no idea she would be filing a Taxotere hair loss lawsuit just a few years later.

Faced with a fight against Stage III cancer in her right breast, her mind was on survival.

Heeding the advice of her oncologist, she had chemotherapy, and ultimately, a mastectomy of her right breast.

She had her first dose of Taxotere on or near Aug. 19, 2013, followed by five more rounds of treatment that ended around Dec. 2, 2013.

While she and her healthcare providers were aware that chemotherapy treatments could cause temporary hair loss, they were not aware, nor were they told by maker Sanofi-Aventis, that Taxotere could lead to permanent hair loss.

What Did Taxotere’s Maker Know?

Somewhere between 3 percent and 8 percent of women who received chemotherapy drug Taxotere to battle breast cancer have been left with permanent hair loss, also called Taxotere alopecia.

The drug’s manufacturer, Sanofi-Aventis, is accused of knowing of the possibility of permanent hair loss, but not including the warning on its packaging. Women often opted for the Taxotere treatment because only four to six treatments were required; other chemotherapy options included 12 treatments.

However, some women – including the plaintiff – say they would have opted for more treatments and a greater chance of their hair returning to its original lustrous condition.

As early as 2005, Sanofi-Aventis knew of a study that showed that 9.2 percent of Taxotere patients suffered alopecia (hair loss) for up to 10 years and five months, sometimes even longer.

Still, this fact was not disclosed to doctors, healthcare providers or patients in the United States, leading to the Taxotere hair loss lawsuit.

In 2006, a Denver oncologist reported he had observed 6.3 percent of his Taxotere patients suffer from permanent and disfiguring hair loss for years following ending the treatment.

Sanofi-Aventis Response Is Underwhelming

After facing several Taxotere hair loss lawsuits, Sanofi-Aventis responded.

Laurent-Didier Jacobs, vice-president of medical affairs for Sanofi-Aventis Canada, said, “We fully understand that persistent alopecia may be a burden for patients, but still we consider it’s certainly something which is not life-threatening or is not something which impairs the likelihood of survival. Taking into account the benefit brought by this type of therapy, we think things should be put in perspective.”

Patients wonder, if the company thought the permanent loss of hair was basically inconsequential, why was the company not forthcoming about this potential side effect from the beginning?

Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit Details Damage

In Jacqueline’s lawsuit, she claims to suffer serious and dangerous severe and personal injuries that are permanent. She claims past and future medical expenses, psychological counseling and therapy expenses, past and future loss of earnings, plus past and future loss and impairment of earning capacity among her financial losses.

In her Taxotere hair loss lawsuit, Jacqueline states she has suffered permanent disfigurement including permanent alopecia, mental anguish, severe emotional distress and increased risk of future harm.

Because of past, present and future physical and mental pain, suffering and discomfort, along with the similar losses of the quality and enjoyment of life, Jacqueline seeks compensation.

The Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit is Case No. 3:16-CV-192-MPM-JMV in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi.