Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit

Hair Relaxer Products Involved in Lawsuit

African American women predominantly use hair relaxers to straighten their hair. Recent research shows certain hair relaxer products may cause uterine, breast, and other cancers.

Alkali solutions with a high pH can degrade the keratin proteins in hair, which causes the hair to "relax". By breaking the disulfide bonds in the hair, the application of a relaxer loosens the hair’s tight curls. This product’s strong chemicals flatten the hair by altering its protein structure.

Filling out our Free Hair Relaxer Case Value Calculator allows you to see how much compensation your case could be worth.

Which substances are harmful?

Phthalates, often known as plasticizers, are used by L'Oréal® and other manufacturers to give their hair products a softer feel. Research shows these phthalates may disrupt the endocrine system, which controls the body’s production of hormones.

Because hair relaxers are applied to the hair’s root, they can “burn” the scalp. These harmful chemicals can seep into the skin through the openings left by burns.

The Link Between Hair Relaxers and Cancer

Recent research shows some of the chemicals used in L'Oréal® hair straightening treatments may increase a woman’s risk of developing uterine cancer. For instance, a recent study indicated that women who use chemical hair-straightening treatments have a 4% chance of developing uterine cancer by the time they are 70 years old. However, for women who did not use these products, the probability was only 1.6%. Therefore, this study found that women who used hair rela uterine cancer than those who did not use hair relaxers.

First Lawsuit Filed Over Hair Relaxer

On October 21, 2022, a young Missouri woman who had spent her whole life using chemical hair relaxers filed the first hair straightener case in the U.S. in a Chicago federal courthouse. The most notable defendant listed is L'Oréal®, but several other companies were also named.

The plaintiff used the following products: Dark & Lovely, Motions, Organic Root Stimulator, and Olive Oil Relaxer. Other hair products that may be hazardous include:

• Ultra Precise
• Bantu
• Optimum
• Just for Me
• African Pride
• TCB Naturals
• Luster’s
• Africa’s Best
• Creme of Nature
• TCB
• Mizani Rhelaxer
• Soft & Beautiful
• Ultra Sheen Supreme

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Plaintiff Used Hair Relaxer and Then Developed Cancer

The plaintiff in the Chicago lawsuit first started using chemical hair relaxer products in 2000 when she was just ten years old. She did this regularly, roughly every two months. She would either apply the products at home or have a professional do it in a salon.

In August 2018, at the age of 28, the plaintiff was diagnosed with uterine cancer. She underwent a complete hysterectomy and is still being treated and cared for regularly. There was no history of cancer in her family.

Product Liability Lawsuit

The lawsuit filed against L'Oréal® is a product liability lawsuit. This is a specific type of personal injury claim made by someone that was harmed by a hazardous or defective product. The product’s manufacturer is typically the target of product liability lawsuits, while some people also target distributors, retailers, and other parties involved in the supply chain.

One distinctive feature of product liability lawsuits is that injured parties may not need to show that the manufacturer was negligent; instead, they only need to show the product contained a defect that caused their injuries. Although this makes proving product liability claims simpler in some ways, there are still challenges in proving a company’s product was defective or unreasonably dangerous.

L'Oréal® Knew its Products Were Hazardous

Evidence suggests that L'Oréal® knew as early as 2015 that the chemicals in its hair straightening products were hazardous. However, the FDA did not require the company to obtain prior approval before putting these items on the market. Additionally, hair product manufacturers are not required to list each chemical individually. Instead, they can classify all of the substances together as "fragrance" or "perfume."

As a result, consumers bought L'Oréal® hair straightening products not knowing they contained a potentially cancer-causing ingredient. However, the recently filed lawsuit against L'Oréal alleges the company knew its products included hazardous phthalates and knew these chemicals might cause serious health problems.

The plaintiff in this lawsuit is specifically alleging L'Oréal "actively and intentionally concealed and/or suppressed material facts, in whole or in part, to induce consumers, including Plaintiff, to purchase and use the Products and did so at her expense".

Filling out our Free Hair Relaxer Case Value Calculator allows you to see how much compensation your case could be worth.

Types of Cancer Caused by Hair Relaxer Products

Scientific and medical research suggests there is a link between exposure to phthalates (the harmful chemicals in hair relaxer products) and the following medical conditions:

• Uterine Cancer,
• Uterine fibroids,
• Breast Cancer,
• Endometriosis, and
• Preterm delivery.

The two different types of uterine cancer are endometrial and sarcoma. Endometrial uterine cancer is much more common and more treatable. Sarcoma is less common but is much more aggressive and difficult to treat.

Uterine cancer has a 5-year survival rate of 81%. Sarcoma uterine cancer is far more aggressive and its survival rate is much lower.

Unfortunately, people suffering from these conditions might not realize they were caused by hair relaxer products. Now that the L'Oréal® case has received widespread attention, however, many people who have been harmed by these products will seek compensation.

Potential Value of Hair Relaxer Cancer Cases

At this early stage of development, it is difficult to estimate the value of hair relaxer cancer cases at trial or in a settlement. We cannot yet predict how the scientific causation evidence in these cases will fare in court.

However, we can speculate about the settlement value. A strong uterine cancer case might have a potential value of $400,000 to $1,750,000 if the evidence connecting the chemicals in hair relaxers to uterine cancer is sufficient. Cases involving relatively young plaintiffs may be valued higher because uterine cancer frequently results in permanent infertility.

Contact Dickey Law Firm About a Potential Claim

Dickey Law Firm is investigating product liability claims involving hair relaxer products that contributed to uterine, breast, or other types of cancer. We are filing lawsuits for those who were harmed or died because of these hazardous products. Call us at (866) 706-1151 for a free consultation if you were diagnosed with these conditions after using chemical hair relaxers on a regular basis for years.

The manufacturers of these products must be held accountable for the damage they cause to innocent consumers. Filing lawsuits helps achieve this and can help stop manufacturers from selling products they know are potentially hazardous without warning consumers.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit

What companies are involved in the recent Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit?

Several companies are being sued in a recent lawsuit that claims their hair relaxer products may cause cancer. Cosmetics giant L'Oreal is the main defendant, but several other manufacturers of beauty products are included.

Who can file a lawsuit against L'Oréal or other hair relaxer manufacturers?

A lawsuit can be filed by anyone who has been using hair relaxer products regularly and has been diagnosed with the following: Uterine Cancer, Uterine fibroids, Breast Cancer, Endometriosis, or, Preterm delivery.

Does it cost anything to file a hair relaxer cancer lawsuit?

No. We will never ask you for money upfront. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis (NO WIN-NO FEE POLICY). This means you never pay us out of your own pocket for anything. We pay for all the costs of handling your case. If we recover money for you from a lawsuit or settlement, we take our fees and costs from that recovery. If we don't recover any money for you, you will not owe us any money.

We want our clients to put themselves, their families, and their medical care first. Our job is to carry the burden of fighting for our client's rights and securing payment for them.

Why should I file a lawsuit against hair relaxer manufacturers?

These manufacturers sold products they knew could be hazardous to your health without providing any warnings. They must be held accountable for the damage they cause to innocent consumers.

This can be done by filing lawsuits and discouraging companies from continuing this reckless practice of selling products that can cause cancer without warning consumers.

How long do I have to file a hair relaxer cancer lawsuit?

The deadline for filing a lawsuit against a hair relaxer product manufacturer depends on the statute of limitations in the state where you live. The best way to ensure you are properly informed about this deadline is to speak to an experienced attorney.

"It's always better to file sooner rather than later."

The sooner you file, the less you risk running out of time and losing your chance to file a lawsuit. If you miss the deadline (statute of limitations), you will be unable to get compensated for your injuries. We would be happy to discuss the deadline based on your specific situation and advise you about the best time to file a lawsuit.