Last month, a federal judge presiding over the Taxotere multidistrict litigation (MDL) set the first five bellwether trial dates. This is a big step for plaintiffs with more than 5,600 claims centralized under Taxotere MDL 2740. It means they’ll finally get their chance to present their cases against Sanofi-Aventis in court. It also signifies hope for these cancer survivors who have had to live with disfiguring alopecia years after chemotherapy treatment.
Judge Orders Trial Dates for Taxotere MDL Lawsuits
Judge Milazzo assigned the following dates for Taxotere MDL 2740’s first five bellwether trials:
- May 13, 2019
- September 16, 2019
- January 27, 2020
- May 11, 2020
- September 14, 2020
During these bellwether trials, juries will hear evidence and render a verdict (unless both parties choose to settle first). Each trial’s conclusion will help guide future Taxotere rulings and litigation outcomes. They will also give both sides an idea about the allegations and evidence involved in these cases.
Judge Names First Four Bellwether Trial Candidates for Taxotere MDL 2740
Judge Milazzo hasn’t yet selected individual cases, but she did name several candidates up for the first trial date in May. Get a closer look at the women who may get to present their cases first under Taxotere MDL 2740 below.
Taxotere MDL Trial Candidate #1: Antoinette Durden
Durden’s doctor relayed her breast cancer diagnosis in June 2011. Durden received her first Taxotere dose around October 18, 2011 and underwent six rounds total. As a result, Durden suffered “disfiguring permanent alopecia” afterwards. Her lawsuit states Durden’s doctor never warned her about this possibility.
Taxotere MDL Trial Candidate #2: Barbara Earnest
Earnest suffered permanent baldness after taking docetaxel (generic Taxotere). “Permanent baldness is a disfiguring condition, especially for women,” says Earnest’s court filing. “Women who experienced disfiguring permanent alopecia as a result of the use of Taxotere… suffer great mental anguish as well as economic damages.”
Taxotere MDL Trial Candidate #3: Tanya Francis
Francis received breast cancer chemotherapy with Taxotere from approximately July 2009 to October 2009 in New Orleans. According to court documents, Sanofi told neither Francis nor her treating healthcare providers that disfiguring alopecia was a potential Taxotere side effect. She will likely suffer from “disfiguring permanent alopecia” for the rest of her life for this reason.
Taxotere MDL Trial Candidate #4: Lisa Tuyes
Tuyes’ lawsuit says she suffered damages as “severe and personal injuries that are permanent and lasting in nature.”
In addition, her lawyers demand compensation for past and future damages that include:
- Medical expenses
- Psychological counseling and therapy expenses
- Lost earnings
- Permanent disfigurement
- Lost earning capacity
Tuyes’ filing alleges that “Had Plaintiff and her healthcare providers known the true facts with respect to the dangerous and serious health and/or safety concerns of Taxotere… Plaintiff would not have purchased, used, and… relied on Defendants’ drug.”
It’s Not Too Late to Join the Taxotere MDL
We will continue to provide trial updates and news regarding the Taxotere MDL as it unfolds. If you or a loved one want to file your claim and join this litigation, it’s not too late. To see if you may qualify for a cash settlement, complete your free online Taxotere evaluation now. Checking your claim’s eligibility for compensation is fast, free and easy to do online. Once you submit your information, an experienced lawyer will call to discuss your case. It’s the first step towards getting the justice and compensation you deserve!
Related: Docetaxel, Taxotere Plaintiffs Make Heartbreaking Lawsuit Claims
Mandy Voisin
Mandy Voisin is a freelance writer, blogger, and author of Girls of the Ocean and Star of Deliverance. As an accomplished content marketing consultant, mom of four and doctor's wife, Mandy has written hundreds of articles about dangerous drugs and medical devices, medical issues that impact disabled Americans, veterans' healthcare and workers' compensation issues since 2016.