At Chelsie King Garza P.C., our law firm has been handling hair relaxer lawsuits across the country. Our attorneys are committed to representing victims diagnosed with endometrial, ovarian, and uterine cancer caused by hair relaxer products. We aim to ensure victims get the justice and the compensation they deserve.
If you’re suffering, do not hesitate to reach out to our hair relaxer lawsuit lawyers for better assistance. In general, the statute of limitations for personal injury hair relaxer cancer lawsuits is between one and four years from the date of your injury, depending on your state. Get in touch with us for a free case evaluation and to determine the strength of your claim.
What Are Hair Relaxer Products?
Hair relaxers are hair straightening chemicals in the form of cream or lotion, used mainly by (black) women with extremely curly or coiled hair. These products generally contain lye (or sodium hydroxide), an active ingredient that penetrates the hair shaft and breaks down the natural protein bonds of the hair to loosen its curl pattern. Most of these products are made and heavily marketed to ethnic people, and girls as young as 12 might use these chemical hair straighteners. It’s a norm today but it seems to be coming at a greater price. Due to the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like phthalates (DEHP in particular), dioxins, lead, and triclosan, hair relaxers can cause cancer and many other serious health problems. Frequently using chemical hair straighteners can also cause severe scalp irritation, burns, and other toxic chemicals being absorbed into the bloodstream.
The Risk of Cancer Is Real
Recent studies have shown a link between hair relaxers and uterine, ovarian, and breast cancer. DEHP phthalates in these products are an extremely concerning human carcinogen known for causing adverse health effects. This study suggests that women regularly using hair relaxers are at a 4.05% more risk of developing uterine cancer. Another research reflects that using hair relaxers is also linked to the risk of ovarian cancer. Breast cancer is another major concern associated with the regular (or every five to eight weeks) use of hair relaxers affecting around 30% of women.
Is There A Hair Relaxer Lawsuit & What Is It About?
Yes, dozens of lawsuits have been filed nationwide claiming that hair relaxers cause cancer and other health concerns. The defendants include LÓreal, Strength of Nature LLC, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd, and several smaller, non-public companies.
The first-ever hair relaxer lawsuits were filed against L’Oreal in October 2022 in federal courts in Illinois, California, and New York. Since then, cases have been consistently pouring in.
Apart from personal injuries, a product liability lawsuit was also filed against L’Oreal, alleging their hair relaxers had caused uterine cancer. A group of plaintiffs then filed a motion with the JPML (Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation) to consolidate the cases into a new class action MDL and be assigned to Judge Mary Rowland. This motion pointed out that hair relaxers can cause burns, resulting in an easy path for dangerous chemicals to enter the body.
Several developments occurred after that, including a woman’s uterine fibroid case claiming she started using the products at six and developed the condition at 22. Despite having them removed, her fibroids reoccurred after eight years. Meanwhile, there was a lot of opposition to the consolidation of cases into a class action MDL.
Different cases were being filed at the following federal district courts, with the primary injury being uterine cancer and the other two including ovarian cancer and uterine fibroids:
- The Western District of Missouri
- The Eastern District of Michigan
- The Northern District of Ohio
- The Eastern District of Louisiana
- The Central District of California
On February 6, 2023, the court AGREED to have a class action lawsuit. JPML issued the order consolidating all cases into a new MDL class action litigation in the Northern District of Illinois. The mass tort was assigned to Judge Mary Rowland. Since then, cases have been adding up, and the MDL is only expected to keep building. Additionally, using a short-form complaint referring back to the standardized master complaint streamlines the process.
As far as the compensation is concerned, we’d say every hair relaxer lawsuit may be unique, but plaintiffs can broadly recover:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses
Women who’ve used hair relaxer products for longer periods and have subsequently been diagnosed with associated cancers may qualify for compensation.
Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit – June 2023 Updates
Earlier in the month of June, plaintiffs and defendants were ordered to file briefs addressing the medical causation issues. So far, the evidence linking hair relaxers to uterine cancer is solid. We’re eager to see how defendants dispute causation claims.
In addition, defense lawyers are asking for a bifurcated discovery plan. Under their proposal, the first discovery phase would be strictly limited to causation and the evidence linking to different cancers, putting the discovery of all other issues on hold. Plaintiffs are opposing this as it will only drag the litigation, which may be favorable for the defendants but not the victims.
As of June 16, 2023, there are 149 pending cases in this class action MDL, where 25 cases have been added in the last 30 days and 128 cases since the MDL was established in February 2023. We are assuming that the cases will keep increasing with time.
We really don’t know when the lawsuit may be settled since the MDL was formed earlier this year, and the cases are still in the beginning stages. However, we anticipate years of battle before a mass tort like this can resolve.
File Your Claim Today!
If you believe to have developed uterine cancer or ovarian cancer due to long-term use of hair relaxers, you may be entitled to compensation for your suffering and care costs. Our compassionate legal team has years of professional expertise to assess your case and determine the legal recourse available to you. If you can’t participate in the legal procedure due to your treatment, you can engage a loved one on your behalf. We are committed to going greater lengths to obtain favorable outcomes for hair relaxer victims. Call us at 713-893-8808 or contact us here to get started with your claim.
