An Illinois breast cancer survivor has filed a lawsuit against Sanofi-Aventis, manufacturer of the chemotherapy drug Taxotere, alleging the drug caused permanent hair loss.

Plaintiff Christine P. underwent a lumpectomy in January 2011 to have a cancerous mass removed from her breast. She discussed treatment options with her oncologist that would lessen the chance of her cancer recurring.

Christine and her oncologist decided that chemotherapy would be the best choice, and she underwent the treatment from February 2011 to May 2011. She suffered permanent Taxotere hair loss after chemotherapy, according to the lawsuit.

In her Taxotere lawsuit, Christine claimed that neither she nor her doctors were aware of or informed of the fact that permanent hair loss could result from Taxotere side effects.

The permanent hair loss Christine has endured has caused emotional issues as well. Women generally expect that they will lose their hair in chemo and it will grow back after treatment ends. For those whose hair does not grow back, it can be devastating.

“Women who experience permanent alopecia suffer great mental anguish as well as economic damages, including but not limited to loss of work or inability to work due to significant psychological damage,” the Taxotere lawsuit read.

Christine claimed that the drug manufacturer overstated the benefits of the chemo drug and, at the same time, failed to mention Taxotere side effects, including permanent Taxotere hair loss.

“There were already products on the market at least as effective as Taxotere that did not subject users to the same risk of permanent alopecia, but users of Taxotere were not presented with the opportunity to make an informed choice as to whether the benefits of Taxotere were worth its associated risks, the Taxotere lawsuit claims.

Not only does Christine claim that she suffered permanent Taxotere hair loss, she also experienced other problems as a result, including severe and permanent physical and emotional injuries as well as past, current and future economic loss.

The Taxotere lawsuit brings forth four claims against Sanofi including strict liability- failure to warn, negligence, fraud, and punitive damages.

The plaintiff is seeking general damages, past and future mental and emotional distress, punitive or exemplary damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, restitution, disgorgement of profits, attorneys’ fees and costs and other relief the court deems proper. She is demanding a jury trial.

The Taxotere Hair Loss Lawsuit is Pistone v. Sanofi-Aventis, Case No. 1:16-cv-04028 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.

Filing a Taxotere Side Effects Lawsuit

If you or a loved one had breast cancer treatment using the chemotherapy drug Taxotere and suffered permanent Taxotere hair loss, you may be entitled to legal compensation.

Plaintiffs may be eligible to receive compensation for their physical and emotional injuries, lost economic wages and more.

Filing a lawsuit can also give a plaintiff the feeling that they can take back some control over the situation and can hold drug manufacturers accountable, while helping to protect others from suffering the same fate.

A Taxotere attorney can review your case at no charge and can detail the legal options that are available to you.