Hair Relaxer Lawsuits

Many people use chemical hair relaxers and related products to straighten their hair and “relax” and smooth their natural curls. Unfortunately, exposure to certain products has been linked to medical problems and serious diseases, including hormone-related cancers in women.

If you’ve used a hair relaxer and were later diagnosed with a qualifying condition, you may be eligible for compensation. The attorneys at Rosen Injury Lawyers will guide you through the legal process and hold the manufacturers and corporations accountable for your losses. 

Our legal team has over 75 years of combined experience, and we’ve secured hundreds of millions of dollars for people throughout the U.S. Our primary focus is fighting for justice for victims injured by unreasonably unsafe consumer products. 

Contact our experienced mass tort injury attorneys at (866) 892-0285 to request a free consultation. We serve clients nationwide and are available 24/7 to take your call.

How Rosen Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

How Rosen Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Hair relaxer cases are complicated. You need evidence proving that the use of the chemical hair product directly led to your injury. That requires an in-depth look at available research, an evaluation of your medical records, and expert witness testimony. 

You need an experienced lawyer to ensure that your case is successful. A mass tort lawyer from Rosen Injury Lawyers will diligently pursue your claim. We’ll devise an effective case strategy that best suits your needs and fight for the compensation you deserve. 

If you hire our law firm for help with your hair relaxer injury lawsuit, we’ll: 

Call our law office today to schedule a free initial consultation with a hair relaxer injury lawyer. Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not owe us anything upfront for representation. You only pay attorney’s fees if we secure compensation on your behalf. 

Therefore, there’s no risk in reaching out to our award-winning, nationally recognized attorneys for a free consultation.

How Do Chemical Hair Relaxers Work? 

Chemical hair relaxers are lotions or creams used to straighten curly or textured hair. These products contain chemicals that break down the protein bonds in the hair and permanently reform them, leading to a smoother texture.

Once the desired effect is achieved, the relaxer is rinsed from the hair with shampoo to neutralize the chemicals. 

Depending on the product, different active ingredients are used to straighten hair, including: 

The product used depends on the person’s hair type, scalp sensitivity, and desired outcome. Some of the chemicals can cause burns and irritation, and some people also damage their hair using relaxers.

What Are the Dangers of Using Hair Relaxers and Straighteners?

Many hair relaxer brands contain phthalate and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Endocrine disruptors can affect the body’s hormonal balance and cause reproductive disorders, such as infertility and various cancers.

A 2022 study from the National Institutes of Health found that women who regularly use chemical hair relaxers and straightening products were twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than those who don’t. The study didn’t find a link between uterine cancer and the use of other hair products, such as perms, highlights, or dyes.

Because Black women use relaxers and straighteners more frequently than others, they are at a heightened risk of developing adverse health effects. 

Prior studies have also noted an association between the frequent use of chemical straighteners and a higher risk of hormone-related cancer.

The potential conditions that can result from the use of these products include: 

Many women have undergone hysterectomies, chemotherapy, and other therapy and surgeries to address these issues. 

In addition to physical pain, some young women who have used hair relaxers since childhood have had fertility problems. The emotional pain of being unable to have a family is another injury to consider in a hair relaxer injury case.

What is the Basis of the Hair Relaxer Lawsuits? 

Various lawsuits related to the use of hair relaxers have been filed across the country. 

That includes a class action lawsuit against L’Oréal and Softsheen-Carson, Inc. 

In that lawsuit, the plaintiffs haven’t yet suffered a particular injury. However, they claim that the manufacturers should stop selling the Dark & Lovely Hair Relaxer due to its potential to cause harmful effects. They’re also requesting payment for the medical monitoring of class members and refunds for their purchases.

Due to the various cases alleging similar causes of action, federal hair relaxer cancer lawsuits were consolidated by the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) at the beginning of 2023. Multidistrict litigation (MDL) for federal hair relaxer claims is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Individual lawsuits have alleged the following:

Most of the lawsuits are based primarily on product liability and/or consumer protection.

Do I Qualify to File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit? 

You may qualify as a claimant in a hair relaxer or straightener lawsuit if you: 

Exposure to the following hair products has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers and medical conditions in women: 

If you’re unsure whether you qualify to file a lawsuit, contact Rosen Injury Lawyers. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation where you can discuss your situation with a hair relaxer injury attorney.

What Compensation Can I Receive in a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit? 

People who have developed illnesses and suffered complications due to the use of chemical hair straighteners can seek compensation for their damages. The types of damages available will depend on the plaintiff’s specific injuries and the type of case they file.

You can potentially recover economic damages for the financial losses and expenses you’ve incurred. You may also be entitled to non-economic damages for the personal, more subjective effects of your injuries. 

For example, hair relaxer injury victims may receive compensation for: 

Punitive damages may be available in some cases. These are reserved for cases involving particularly egregious behavior by the defendant and are awarded as punishment. For example, the court may award punitive damages if it finds that a company knew of the high risk of developing cancer after using its product and continued to sell it. 

What Is the Deadline to File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit? 

Every state has a unique statute of limitations that sets a deadline to file a lawsuit. It can range anywhere from one year to several years, depending on the jurisdiction. 

Usually, the statute of limitations starts to run on the date of injury. However, the discovery rule may apply in some cases. Under this rule, the statute of limitations begins when the plaintiff knew or should’ve known about their injury. 

For example, you may have had a hysterectomy years ago. However, studies only recently tied the use of hair relaxers to the risk of developing reproductive injuries. Thus, the deadline may be tolled until you reasonably discover the connection. 

The statute of limitations in these cases can get complicated. If you miss the applicable deadline, you’ll be barred from pursuing legal action for your hair relaxer-related injuries. 

Contact Rosen Injury Lawyers today to speak with an experienced mass tort lawyer and preserve your legal rights. 

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Product Liability Lawyers to Discuss Your Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

If you were diagnosed with cancer or a medical condition after using chemical hair relaxers, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. However, it’s essential to act fast to hold the at-fault party liable for your damages. 

Contact Rosen Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation with our experienced product liability attorneys.