Hair Relaxer

About Hair Relaxer Lawsuits 

  • Long-term use of hair relaxer products has been linked to serious health issues, including uterine, ovarian, breast, and endometrial cancers, and uterine fibroids. Despite research showing this connection, there’s been no formal federal recall.
  • Individuals who develop an associated illness after using chemical straighteners may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages through a product liability lawsuit. 
  • Widespread hair relaxer lawsuits are being filed on behalf of those injured after years of product use claiming that manufacturers knew, or should have known, of the increased health risks their products may cause. They also allege failure to warn.

Why Hire CSS for a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

If you have been diagnosed with cancer such as uterine, ovarian or endometrial, or another illness after long-term hair relaxer use, it is crucial to seek experienced legal representation to ensure your rights are protected and to pursue the compensation you deserve. 

At Childers, Schlueter & Smith, we have a proven track record in handling complex product liability cases, particularly those involving carcinogenic chemicals. Our deep understanding of the medical and legal intricacies surrounding hair relaxer cancer lawsuits positions us to build a robust case on your behalf.

Our CSS attorneys prioritize individual lawsuits by ensuring that each client’s unique circumstances and suffering are fully addressed. We consult with medical experts to strengthen claims and provide tailored legal strategies and dedicated attention. This approach enhances the potential for a favorable outcome and allows for more significant compensation based on your specific damages and suffering.

Choosing Childers, Schlueter & Smith means opting for a firm that combines legal prowess with compassionate client support, and we’re committed to guiding you through the legal process with empathy and professionalism. Our goal is to hold negligent manufacturers accountable and secure the financial resources you need for medical treatment and other associated costs, offering you a path to justice and recovery.

Contact our firm online or call 1-800-641-0098 for a free consultation.

black woman getting hair relaxer treatment by stylist

Health Issues Linked to Hair Relaxers

For years, women in the United States have relied on chemical hair relaxer products to style their hair for personal or professional reasons, and to meet beauty standards. Straighteners are predominantly used by African Americans and other women of color due to their natural hair types, and their use of them often begins at an early age.

The health issues linked to chemical straighteners can be life-changing, and for some, they’re fatal. Many of the chemicals in hair relaxers, including Formaldehyde, Parabens, Bisphenol A, Metals, and Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), have been associated with serious health conditions; research indicates these products increase the likelihood of uterine, ovarian, breast and endometrial cancer, and uterine fibroids.

In addition to cancers, infertility, and other reproductive conditions, many women who have filed hair relaxer lawsuits underwent a hysterectomy due to cancer or fibroids. In a lot of cases, these women were very young. In fact, the first hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuit was filed by a woman who had a hysterectomy at 28 years old, leaving her unable to have biological children. This adds another layer to the chemical straightener lawsuits, as the impact and treatment of the illnesses alleged to be caused by these products are extensive.

Understanding Hair Relaxer Lawsuits 

In October 2022, the first hair relaxer cancer lawsuit was filed against L’Oreal. It was filed within one week of the release of a research study showing women who used chemical straighteners four or more times a year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than those who never used them. Since then, there’s been a massive influx of other hair relaxer lawsuits filed. Due to the size and widespread impact, hair relaxer lawsuits were consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Illinois in February 2023.

The types of health conditions and illnesses that plaintiffs claim are caused by chemical hair relaxers include:

  • Uterine cancer
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Fertility issues

The chemical hair straightener lawsuits are based on several allegations. First, plaintiffs claim that relaxers increased the risk of and caused them to develop certain cancers. They allege that manufacturers knew or should have known of increased risks, failed to warn consumers, and marketed and advertised them as safe.

There are also wrongful death cases in the MDL. Family members who filed a wrongful death lawsuit alleged that regular and/or prolonged use of hair relaxers caused their loved one to develop associated cancers that eventually led to their deaths. They claim these beauty products contain harmful chemicals, were not properly tested and that product labels failed to warn of the increased health risks.

The hair relaxer MDL has involved a long discovery phase that’s still ongoing, and some defendants have leveraged strategies to delay progress. This complex product liability litigation is set to have its first bellwether trial in November 2025. It’s possible that settlement offers and agreements will be reached before the test trials. If not, the outcome of the bellwether trials will show both sides their arguments and evidence, and what outcome individual court cases may lead to.

In addition to the hair relaxer MDL, a class action lawsuit has been filed. The hair relaxer class action is seeking reimbursement of product purchases, punitive damages, and medical monitoring funds due to the increased risk of cancer and other health problems.

We believe the hair relaxer claims are too serious for a class action and that individual lawsuits will more effectively and adequately compensate for the depth of suffering and damages from such serious health conditions. While our firm does NOT handle class actions, individuals who use chemical straighteners should know of this alternate litigation, especially those who have not developed any associated illnesses.

We encourage anyone who’s been diagnosed with uterine, endometrial, ovarian, or breast cancer, or uterine fibroids after long-term use of hair relaxers to contact our dangerous products attorneys for a free consultation. We’ll review your case and outline your legal options, and if eligible, file a hair relaxer lawsuit on your behalf.

Research Shows Increased Rate of Cancer Among Hair Relaxer Users

On October 17, 2022, results of a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) showed chemical hair relaxers are associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer. The research study involved 33,497 participants who were followed for almost 11 years.

Over the course of the NIH study, 378 women were diagnosed with uterine cancer. Compared with women who didn’t use hair relaxers, those who used them more than four times in the previous year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer. More Black women were diagnosed with uterine cancer than other demographics, but researchers indicated this was likely due to higher use of hair straightener products; they didn’t find a connection between race and incidence rate.

The study was not the first that showed chemical hair relaxers may increase the risk of certain cancers. Several other studies over the last decade have shown greater rates of hormone-related cancers among women who use(d) these products.

A study published in the International Journal of Cancer in 2019 showed a possible link between chemical hair straighteners and breast cancer. In this study, African American women had a significantly increased risk of breast cancer compared to white women. Like others, researchers suggested this was due to certain hair products, like chemical straighteners, being more frequently used by and marketed to women of color.

Why File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Being diagnosed with any form of cancer is a moment in life that’s never forgotten. What follows a diagnosis of uterine, endometrial, ovarian, or breast cancer varies, but surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are some of the ways they’re treated.

Often, patients need a combination of treatments for cancer. Even when they’re successful, the experience has widespread effects on the patient and their family; the impact of health conditions caused by chemical hair relaxers extends far beyond physical health effects and the high cost of medical bills.

The emotional suffering and stress, time off work, loss of opportunities, decreased enjoyment of life, inability to care and provide for children, and strain on relationships are some of the ways cancers and other health issues associated with hair relaxer use affect individuals. A hair relaxer lawsuit can seek compensation for these damages and more. While money can’t erase what you’ve suffered or bring back a loved one, it can provide financial stability and hold negligent manufacturers accountable.

Our experienced product liability attorneys can ensure you hold the makers of chemical hair relaxer products accountable. We are dedicated to investigating the links between hair relaxer chemicals and cancer, leveraging scientific research, and consulting with medical experts to build a strong, evidence-based foundation for your claim. We understand the toll that health issues can take and the additional impacts of learning a product you trusted to be safe may be the cause of your suffering.

If you’ve been diagnosed with an illness associated with long-term use of these hair relaxers, we can help. We’ll review your case, outline your legal options, and if entitled to compensation, protect your rights and fight for justice. Contact Childers, Schlueter & Smith online or at 1-800-641-0098 for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hair relaxer lawsuit?2024-12-03T20:24:45+00:00

A hair relaxer lawsuit is a legal action taken by individuals who claim to have suffered health problems due to using various hair straightening products. These product liability lawsuits often allege that manufacturers did not adequately warn consumers about the potential risks associated with these products.

What health issues are associated with hair relaxer lawsuits?2024-12-03T20:26:08+00:00

Health issues from hair relaxers include chemical burns, scalp irritation, and hair loss. However, more severe conditions, such as uterine, breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancer, are cited in hair relaxer lawsuits. These cancers and other reproductive conditions have been linked to harmful chemicals found in chemical straighteners.

What types of cancer are linked to hair relaxer products?2024-12-03T20:29:15+00:00

Studies have suggested that certain chemicals in hair relaxers, such as formaldehyde and phthalates, may be carcinogenic. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals has been linked to an increased risk of cancers, particularly hormone-related cancers like breast, ovarian, endometrial, and uterine cancer.

Who can file a hair relaxer lawsuit?2024-12-03T20:30:42+00:00

Individuals who have used hair relaxers and have been diagnosed with cancer, or other significant health issues potentially related to these products, may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Family members of deceased individuals who passed away due to cancer linked to hair relaxers may also have legal options, such as filing a wrongful death lawsuit.

Can I file a hair relaxer lawsuit if I have underlying health conditions?2024-06-14T13:39:11+00:00

You can file a hair relaxer lawsuit even if you have underlying health conditions. These conditions do not prevent you from seeking compensation if you believe your cancer or other health issues are linked to hair relaxer products.

How long do you have to file a hair relaxer lawsuit?2024-06-14T13:41:32+00:00

There is a statute of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits, which varies by state. Generally, this period ranges from one to six years from the date of diagnosis or from when the plaintiff became aware of the link between their cancer and hair relaxer use. Consulting with a lawyer as soon as possible is advisable to ensure the lawsuit is filed within the appropriate time frame.

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