Hair Relaxer and Chemical Straightening Lawsuits
Hair Relaxer and Straightener and Uterine Cancer
A 2022 study released by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) identified a link between frequent use of hair relaxers and uterine cancer. The study collected data from over 33,000 women, concluding that those who used these products more than four times in the previous year were over twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than those who didn’t.
Other studies have concluded similarly. Because they are more likely to use these products, black women are disproportionately affected. Hair relaxer chemicals that have been evaluated for cancer risk include:
- Parabens
- Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Phthalates
- Cyclosiloxanes
- Formaldehyde
- Diethanolamine (DEA)
- Certain metals
Hair Relaxer and Chemical Straightening Lawsuit Claim Eligibility
There are several factors that may impact your eligibility to file a hair relaxer lawsuit. Our skilled attorneys are standing by to evaluate your case and determine all routes toward legal compensation. Key considerations include whether:
- You have a diagnosed medical condition (e.g., uterine fibroids or uterine, ovarian, endometrial, or breast cancer).
- You regularly used hair relaxers and for how long.
- Your medical condition is linked to implicated products.
- Your diagnosis is attributable to another cause.
- You missed the governing statute of limitations.
What Brands Are Named as Defendants in Hair Relaxer Lawsuits?
Numerous brands have been accused of distributing dangerous hair relaxers without warning consumers of the health risks. Defendants named in the pending federal multidistrict litigation include:
- L’Oréal USA, Inc.
- Dabur International Ltd.
- Namasté Laboratories, LLC
- Strength of Nature, LLC
- Strength of Nature Global, LLC
- Godrej SON Holdings, Inc.
- House of Cheatham
- PDC Brands
- Parfums de Coeur, Ltd.
Because of the widespread distribution of hair relaxers, there may be other potential defendants. If the manufacturer of your product is not listed, do not hesitate to reach out to our skilled attorneys. We will investigate whether you have a viable case against another party.
Milestones Settlements and Verdicts in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
In Re: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 3060) is a set of cases consolidated for multidistrict litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. As of August 2024, this remains one of the largest MDLs in the nation, and new plaintiffs can still join. Key milestones include:
- February 2023 – A federal judicial panel consolidated the cases for MDL.
- November 2023 – A judge denied most of the defendants’motion to dismiss.
- August 2024 – The number of active cases in the MDL rose to 7,946.
Potential Settlements in Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
Though compensation plaintiffs can receive through hair relaxer lawsuits ranges from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars or more, it is difficult to predict and impossible to guarantee. Compensable damages depend on factors like medical expenses, lost wages, lowered future earnings, pain, suffering, and the emotional impact of a diagnosis. Because of the serious nature of a cancer diagnosis, recoveries could be very high.
Importantly, plaintiffs involved in mass tort litigation (MDLs and class actions) may receive lower individual settlements than those pursuing standalone lawsuits. However, the legal and factual conclusions in these larger lawsuits are likely to impact how individual lawsuits unfold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understandably, victims normally have many questions about hair relaxer lawsuits. These are some of the most common ones our knowledgeable attorneys receive:
1. How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in a Hair Relaxer Settlement?
No one should be denied justice simply because they can’t afford high quality legal representation. That’s why our top-tier legal team works on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t pay any anything unless we secure compensation for you. To ensure you know your legal rights and options, we also offer free, no-obligation consultations.
2. What Factors Affect Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Settlements?
The amount you may receive through a hair relaxer lawsuit depends heavily on the extent of your financial, physical, and emotional damages. People with advanced cases of uterine cancer or other life-altering conditions are likely to secure the largest settlements.
3. What Evidence Is Needed To Participate in a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
You must have evidence showing that you used an implicated hair relaxer often enough to cause cancer or another illness. You also need to show that your diagnosis is not traceable to another cause.
4. What Is the Average Settlement in Hair Relaxer Lawsuits?
As of August 2024, there are no hair relaxer lawsuit settlements. The results in the pending MDL cases will significantly impact the settlement outlook in other cases.
Importantly, due to the devastating physical, emotional, and financial nature of a diagnosis, product liability plaintiffs with cancer often obtain significant compensation. For example, in 2024, Johnson & Johnson agreed to a $6.48 billion settlement to resolve lawsuits alleging that its talc products cause ovarian cancer.
5. Can Breathing in Chemical Hair Relaxer Make You Sick?
Research shows that long-term, frequent use of hair relaxers can cause uterine, breast, ovarian, and other cancers. However, exposure normally occurs through repetitive application of these toxic products to the hair and scalp. Breathing in certain chemicals in hair straighteners and relaxers can also cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and irritation in the skin, eyes, and lungs.
6. Can I File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit If My Loved One Died?
Yes. You can file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover compensation if your loved one died due to a fatal diagnosis traceable to chemical hair relaxers.
The National Injury Law Firm™ Is Here To Help Victims of Chemical Hair Relaxers
Thousands of consumers are seeking legal compensation from hair relaxer manufacturers and distributors. They argue that these defendants failed to warn that their dangerous products cause uterine cancer and other serious illnesses. The National Injury Law Firm™ is dedicated to protecting vulnerable consumers when irresponsible corporate entities place profits over safety.
Our team of accomplished attorneys can evaluate your case and determine if you have a viable claim. Let us help you FEEL THE POWER OF JUSTICE™. Contact us online to learn about your legal rights and options in a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
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