Question 1

What are the primary health risks associated with hair relaxers?

Accepted Answer

Here are the main health risks tied to the use of hair relaxers:

Ovarian tumors
Uterine polyps
Fibroids
Endometriosis pain
Uterine cancer
Breast cancer
Ovarian cancer
Endometrial cancer

Question 2

Can hair relaxers lead to the development of uterine cancer in women?

Accepted Answer

Uterine cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers found in women. A vital study that came out in October 2022 linking hair relaxer use and uterine cancer was the main trigger of this class action MDL.
It’s possible that harmful phthalate metabolites found in these products are the culprit behind your uterine cancer.
This study revealed that women who used hair relaxers at least 4 times a year are 2.5 times more likely to develop uterine cancer. African-American women who use these products more often reported nearly twice as many cases of uterine cancer compared to other women.
However, not all cancers are born the same. There are two distinct types of uterine cancer that could be triggered by your hair relaxer use:

Endometrial cancer – more common, better chances of recovery.
Sarcoma – rare, with lower odds of survival.

The severity of your condition and intensity of treatment will play a key role in the size of your compensation.

Question 3

Are there any specific hair relaxer products and manufacturers being targeted in lawsuits?

Accepted Answer

t’s important to know which haircare products are being named in lawsuits. You need to do this as a health precaution and for identifying if you qualify for taking legal action.
Here are the primary defendants that have been targeted in the hair relaxer lawsuits so far:

L’Oreal – Dark & Lovely, Ultra Sheet, etc.
Namaste, LLC – ORS Olive Oil Hair Relaxer
TCB Naturals/Godrej Consumer Products – Just for Me
Strength of Nature Global, LLC – Motions
Revlon

Question 4

What role do EDCs and phthalates play in hair relaxer-related health issues?

Accepted Answer

Most victims were unaware that they were poisoning their bodies with endocrine-disrupting chemicals and phthalates found in hair relaxer creams. Multiple studies have confirmed these findings.
However, it’s difficult to pinpoint a fixed set of health issues tied to these chemicals. Why? Because these chemicals disrupt your body’s natural hormonal balance. EDCs can unnaturally elevate your estrogen production and lower androgen production.
Your body’s functions are delicately orchestrated by a natural balance of hormones. Even a minor imbalance can trigger a chain reaction that sabotages some other important processes in the body.
You are at a greater risk of developing ovarian tumors, uterine polyps, fibroids, and endometriosis pain. And if you don’t treat these issues early, it can turn into something far more sinister. We’re talking about uterine, breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.
Multiple reports confirmed that hair relaxer products also contain other toxic substances like phthalates, formaldehyde, and parabens. Di-2- ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a highly carcinogenic substance that can mess up your natural hormone production.
Here are some of DEHP’s worst side effects:

Cancer
Endometriosis
Developmental issues
Reproductive dysfunction
Infertility

Question 5

Is there any ongoing effort to regulate the chemicals used in hair relaxers?

Accepted Answer

Frankly, it’s the weak regulation standards prevailing in the cosmetics industry that allow dangerous products to sneak into the market.  You’ll be surprised to know that cosmetics don’t even require any FDA premarket approval unless they’re packed with color additives. The FDA’s primarily equipped to regulate foods, drugs, and medical devices.
We’re not exaggerating when we say that the cosmetics industry is still in its Wild West days of existence. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have seen a massive rise in billion-dollar lawsuits related to toxic cosmetics.
So there’s hardly any supervision or strict guidelines about what you can and cannot add to hair relaxer products. They must declare all their ingredients under the FDA’s Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.
However, companies can easily mix unregulated chemicals with fragrances or flavors and get away with it. Why? Because there’s no law mandating them to list fragrances or flavors. They can add all the toxic EDCs and phthalates they want.
A lot of product liability lawyers and their clients are hoping this momentum will force regulatory agencies to make the necessary regulatory changes.

Question 6

How do hair relaxers impact ovarian cancer rates?

Accepted Answer

A major NIH study revealed a strong link between hair relaxer use and ovarian cancer. They put the spotlight on EDCs being absorbed into the bloodstream as the primary cause. Another study reported that women who frequently used hair relaxers were twice as likely to face ovarian cancer.
Although ovarian cancer only accounts for less than 1% of all cancer cases, it’s a lot harder to recover from. You are more likely to survive uterine and breast cancer compared to ovarian cancer.
Its diagnosis is even trickier than its treatment. You barely experience any strong symptoms in the initial stage. Even medical tests find it hard to catch early. Only 20% of ovarian cancer cases are detected in the first stage. By the time you diagnose ovarian cancer, it has already progressed to its advanced stages.

Question 7

Are hair perms also linked to cancer risks like hair relaxers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Hair perm products can be just as dangerous as hair relaxers. Many of them contain the same toxic soup of EDCs and phthalates that cause cancer.
It’s important to stay away from any chemical products you’re unsure about. This includes exotic treatments like Brazilian blowouts, Japanese hair smoothing treatments, and keratin treatments. Consult a trusted dermatologist if you need before shopping for new haircare and skincare products.
People are filing several hair perm lawsuits to get compensated for their health issues.

Question 8

Is there a possibility of a hair relaxer class action lawsuit in the future?

Accepted Answer

In February 2023, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Legislation greenlit the hair relaxer class action lawsuit. Judge Mary Rowland is overseeing this MDL in the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago.
This outcome was a breath of fresh air for plaintiffs spread across all 50 states. It allows them to directly join the MDL instead of filing it in their home state. They’ll also benefit from a rich pool of legal and financial resources to take on billion-dollar companies named in the lawsuit. You’ll have a much better chance of getting the settlement you deserve through this MDL.
The trial is still in its early stage with a record number of plaintiffs joining the hair relaxer class action lawsuit. Over 236 pending cases have been filed as part of the MDL. This figure will only keep shooting up as the evidence against the defending parties piles up.

Question 9

What factors influence the statute of limitations for hair relaxer lawsuits?

Accepted Answer

The statute of limitations is the time window you have to file a claim. You won’t be able to take any legal action if you miss this legal deadline.
Each state follows its own statute of limitations that can vary from 2 to 6 years. You need to look up the statute of limitations for personal injury cases in your state.
It’s important to be clear about when this legal deadline kicks in. It has nothing to do with the date of your injury in lawsuits like these. The statute of limitations comes into play only when you’ve discovered or should have discovered that you have grounds for a lawsuit.
For instance, there’s no way you would have known your uterine cancer was tied to hair relaxers if the October 2022 study hadn’t come out.
Even if you got diagnosed with cancer 7 years ago, you still have a case. Because now you’ve had a chance to evaluate the evidence needed to take legal action. So a two-year statute of limitations started in October 2022 that will run till October 2024.
Some states also adopt a &#8220;statute of repose,&#8221; which means you have to follow a fixed deadline irrespective of the discovery rule. This legal window usually lasts 7-12 years.

Question 10

How can individuals determine if they have a potential hair relaxer lawsuit?

Accepted Answer

Here are the essential conditions you need to meet to qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit:

You must have used hair relaxers or hair perm products frequently
You must be diagnosed with health issues tied to hair relaxer use and have a clear track record of treatment
You must be able to prove negligence
You have to file the case within the statute of limitations

Blog

German Shepherd Bites

Beware of Dog Sign Law: What are the Legal Protections for Owners?

Do You Need a Tetanus Shot for a Dog Bite?

Treating and Preventing Dog Bite Hand Injuries

Assisted Living vs Nursing Home: Which is Right for You?

Can a Nursing Home Take My Home?

How to Protect Your Parents’ Assets from Nursing Homes

Can Nursing Homes Take Your Savings Account?

Hair Relaxer Lawsuit: Understanding the Risks and Legal Implications

Article Categories

Shuman Legal® named as one of America's Most Trusted Lawyers Award for the 6th year in a row.