After years of marketing hair relaxers to the public, numerous manufacturers are facing a series of lawsuits related to the dangerous chemicals present in these products. Many hair-relaxing products have been linked to life-threatening illnesses, including uterine cancer.
If one of our mass tort attorneys agrees to take your case, you will need to meet certain criteria to recover compensation from the makers of hair relaxers. Proving legal damages after using hair relaxer can be challenging, especially without experienced legal help. At Charles, Schlueter & Smith, we offer free consultations to evaluate your potential claim.
How to Prove Damages
Proving damages in a mass tort case is different compared to most personal injury lawsuits. In a car or truck accident case, a plaintiff must establish that the other driver acted negligently in causing a crash. If they cannot establish negligence in their specific accident, their claim for compensation will not be successful.
Mass tort claims – including for hair relaxers – are different. In this type of claim, you do not establish that you were singled out by the manufacturer and do not have to trace your medical issues back to a specific instance of negligence made at the corporate level. However, you must meet certain criteria to prove damages and recover compensation.
There are two important elements that your lawyer must establish in order to prove damages in a hair relaxer case. The first requires a diagnosis of uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, or other medical conditions that have been linked to popular hair relaxers.
The second element requires you to show that you have used specific hair relaxers on multiple occasions in recent years. It is also helpful to your potential case if you can show that you followed the instructions on these products exactly as directed.
What Damages Are Available in a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
There are different types of damages that might be available for someone who was injured by hair relaxers. You will need proof of loss in order to be awarded damages. Some of the damages that might be available include:
Medical Expenses
The cost of treating uterine cancer or other issues stemming from hair relaxers can quickly add up. Surgery may be necessary, and in cases of cancer, there could be extensive radiation or hormone therapy. Any of these treatments might also require a lengthy hospital stay. Legal damages could cover the costs of all of these expenses.
Employment-Related Losses
There could also be notable financial costs related to the loss of employment after a cancer diagnosis. If you are unable to work, you will lose out on wages and you might even have diminished future earning power due to your diagnosis. It could be possible to recoup lost income with a civil suit.
Pain and Suffering
The physical and emotional pain related to uterine cancer and other conditions can be severe. For many people, it is difficult or impossible to ever return to the same quality of life they enjoyed previously. You might be able to get compensated for these non-economic damages with a lawsuit against the product manufacturer.
Talk to an Attorney About Potential Legal Damages in Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
It can be challenging to prove legal damages after suing hair relaxer manufacturers. This is especially true if you are not relying on the guidance of experienced legal counsel. Our lawyers can help you navigate the legal system and pursue the damages you deserve. Contact us to set up a free consultation.
