Contact Attorney Kensley Barrett for a Free, No Obligation Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit Evaluation
The top rated personal injury class action lawsuit attorneys at the Marin and Barrett Law Firm are pursuing hair relaxer lawsuits after new scientific research has found that the chemicals in hair relaxers can cause cancer. Women who have used hair relaxer products for long periods can now file a product liability lawsuit against the cosmetic manufacturers for compensation for the following types of cancer:
Many women, especially African American women, have developed cancer after years of exposure to phthalates and hazardous chemicals in hair relaxer and hair straightener products. We are focusing our efforts in this mass tort litigation against the following hair relaxer manufacturer defendants:
Contact our class action and personal injury lawyers today (888) 348-2735 for a free, no obligation claim evaluation. Or, if you prefer, you can complete our Hair Relaxer Claim Intake Form HERE to receive and online consultation or a call or email at your convenience and around your schedule from one of our top rated product liability lawyers to talk about the current status of the litigation and how our law firm can help you sue.
Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits
Women are filing lawsuits against chemical hair straightener companies after a National Institutes of Health Study, known as the Sister Study, published on October 17, 2022 found scientific evidence showed that women who used chemical hair straighteners had a greater risk of developing uterine cancer. The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found that women who used chemical straighteners more than four times a year had more than double the risk of uterine cancer. The study’s scientific evidence also linked chemical hair straighteners as one of the risk factors for breast cancer, uterine fibroid and endometriosis and endometrial cancer.
By the end of 2022, the NIH Sister Study spurred the filing of approximately a dozen personal injury and class action hair relaxer lawsuits against cosmetic companies in Federal District Courts across the United States from Georgia to Illinois to California. The women in these cases allege the cancer-causing chemicals in the hair relaxer products caused them to develop medical conditions later in life including uterine cancer, fibroids, and endometriosis. Additionally, these lawsuits allege that hair relaxer companies failed to comply with new FDA regulations issued in 2014 which mandate that hair relaxer and chemical straightener manufacturers disclose the ingredients and chemicals in hair straightening products to consumers.
On November 15, 2022, the attorneys for four plaintiffs filed a motion to consolidate the hair relaxer cases asking the the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to centralize all the cases in multidistrict litigation in the Northern District of Illinois.
The attorneys for the Plaintiffs argued that multidistrict litigation is warranted because it eliminates duplicative discovery, harmonizes pretrial rulings, and preserves court resources. They argue that the lawsuits “involve materially identical facts, the same or similar Defendants, and the same or similar legal claims. The number of cases grows by the day. Unless these cases are transferred for pretrial proceedings, the parties will incur excessive costs due to duplicative discovery, and will face the risk of inconsistent rulings on a variety of matters.”
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation is scheduled to hear the motion to centralize all of the hair relaxer cancer cases involving involving chemical hair relaxer products in multidistrict litigation on January 26, 2023 in Miami, Florida.
Contact Attorney Kensley Barrett for a Free, No Obligation Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit Evaluation
Hair Relaxers Contain Harmful Chemicals
Many of the toxic chemicals in hair straighteners, including formaldehyde, phthalates, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, are very dangerous and controversial. Yet many of these products today continue to use these ingredients without disclosing information about the cancer risk and potential reproductive effects. Prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals by the long term use of hair straighteners has been shown through medical studies to lead to an elevated risk of cancer in women. Our chemical relaxer legal team is currently helping individuals hold chemical hair relaxer manufacturers liable for the injuries caused by their products including uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, breast cancer and endometriosis with fibroids.
If you think your cancer was caused by exposure to chemical hair straightening products, take legal action and contact the product liability attorneys at Marin and Barrett, Inc. today for a free case evaluation. We are available 24/7 at (888) 348-2735 to take your call and stand ready to fight for you. The manufacturers of chemical straighteners should have warned the public of the dangers of its product as well as the potential risks of cancer and reproductive effects.
Hair Relaxer Class Action Lawsuits Update
January 24th, 2023
More Hair Relaxer Suits Filed
In a flurry of filings in the last week, at least ten new hair relaxer cancer lawsuits were filed in Federal Courts. The filings span the United States from the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Shirley Dixon) to the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (Debora Benton and Carrie Jones) to the US District Court for the Western District of Washington (Debra Ward).
Nearly all of these chemical hair straightener lawsuits allege uterine cancer. Some of these lawsuits also allege chemical relaxers caused endometriosis and uterine cancer. There are now over 35 hair relaxer personal injury cases pending. The legal community now awaits the hearing before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation on January 26th. The JPML is expected to rule on whether to consolidate these cases into a new hair relaxer class action lawsuit in early 2023.
January 17th, 2023
Hair Relaxer Lawsuit January 2023 Update
The start of 2023 has resulted in a surge of hair relaxer class action lawsuits filed across the country against cosmetic companies and manufacturers of hair relaxer products, including cosmetic giants L’Oréal, Revlon, Dabur, Soft Sheen Carson, Strength of Nature, Godrej, and Namaste. The growing number mass torts hair straightener lawsuits allege that the chemicals found in hair relaxers cause uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and breast cancer. A motion has already been filed with the JPML (Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation) seeking to have all of the future hair relaxer lawsuits consolidated into a new class action MDL (multidistrict litigation). There will be a hearing on January 26, 2023 to hear the motion hair relaxer attorneys have filed seeking consolidated proceeding in an MDL. The personal injury lawyers representing the individual Plaintiffs in these hair relaxer product liability lawsuits are seeking to have the cases consolidated into Multidistrict Litigation MDL 3060 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
January 3rd, 2023
Michelle Christal v. L’Oréal (Dark & Lovely), SoftSheen Carson, Strength of Nature, and Namaste Laboratories
On January 3rd, 2023 Michelle Christal filed a endometrial cancer hair relaxer lawsuit in United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The Christal lawsuit named L’Oreal USA Products Inc., Strength of Nature Global, SoftSheen Carson Inc., and Namaste Laboratories, LLC as defendants. Ms. Christal alleges that her regular and prolonged exposure to phthalates and other endocrine disrupting chemicals found in Defendants’ hair care relaxer products directly and proximately caused her serious health issues including endometrial cancer. For nearly 40 years, Ms. Christal used hair relaxing products including Dark & Lovely, Optimum, Motions, Just for Me, and Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Relaxer to chemically straighten or relax her hair.
Ms. Christal also started using the hair straightener products at age 15 and continued until she was diagnosed with uterine cancer at age 51. At that time in 2022, Ms. Christal underwent a laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, bilateral sentinel pelvic lymph nodes dissection. The harm caused by her use of hair relaxing treatments caused her to sustain severe and permanent personal injuries, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
December 23rd, 2022
Krystal Sanders v. L’Oréal, SoftSheen Carson, Strength of Nature, Godrej Consumer Products, Dabur and Namaste
Just before Christmas, Krystal Sanders filed a hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuit in United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The Sanders lawsuit named L’Oreal USA Products Inc., Strength of Nature Global, Soft Sheen/Carson Inc., Soft Sheen Carson Inc., Dabur International Ltd, Dabur USA Inc., and Namaste Laboratories, LLC as defendants and alleges that the increased use of the hair straightening products over a period of nearly 30 years led to the development of Krystal Sander’s uterine cancer. Over those 30 years, Ms. Sanders used hair relaxing products including Dark & Lovely, TCB Naturals, Just For Me, ORS Olive Oil, Optimum, and Motions to chemically straighten or relax her hair.
Ms. Sanders also started using the hair straightener products at age 10 and continued until she was 37 years when she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. At that time in 2020, she sustained severe and permanent personal injuries, pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
December 13th, 2022
Jackie Brownlee v. L’Oréal
On December 13th, 2022, a recent hair relaxer lawsuit was filed. The case, Brownlee v. LÓreal USA, Inc., et al. (3:22-cv-336), was filed in Federal Court in the Southern District of Ohio and alleges that the Plaintiff’s use chemical relaxer products continuously and regularly since she was 15 caused her uterine cancer.
The suit identifies three products which Brownlee used: Dark & Lovely, Optimum, and Just for Me. The lawsuit does not provide specific dates for when Brownlee used each particular product. However, Brownlee was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2010, when she was 52 years old.
The defendants named in the Brownlee Complaint include LÓreal, Strength of Nature LLC, and Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. The complaint asserts a number of different causes of action including strict liability, failure to warn and general negligence after using Dark & Lovely, Optimum, and Just For Me to chemically straighten or relax her hair for over 30 years.
October 21st, 2022
Jenny Mitchell v. L’Oréal, Soft Sheen/Carson, Dabur, and Namaste
One of the first hair straightener uterine cancer lawsuits was filed by Jennifer Mitchell in October in the Federal District Court in the Northern District of Illinois located in Chicago. The Mitchell lawsuit named L’Oreal USA Products Inc., Strength of Nature Global, Soft Sheen/Carson Inc., Soft Sheen Carson Inc., Dabur International Ltd, Dabur USA Inc., and Namaste Laboratories, LLC as defendants and alleges that the increased use of the hair straightening products over a period of years led to the development of Jenny Mitchell’s uterine cancer.
Ms. Mitchell started using the hair straightener products at the early age of 10 and continued until she was 28 years when she was diagnosed with uterine cancer. At that time in 2008 she had to undergo a full hysterectomy. Ms. Mitchell is suing for physical injury and damages including losing her ability to have children, suffering extreme pain and suffering, and suffering extreme emotional distress.
How to Sign Up for the Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit
Signing up to file a chemical hair straightener lawsuit is quick and easy. To get started, complete the contact form on our website or giving us a call at (888) 348-2735. Our legal team of personal injury lawyers can review your situation in a few short minutes and let you know if we are able to help you sue those responsible. Don’t delay, if you have been exposed to chemicals in relaxer and straightener products and later diagnosed with cancer, there are time constraints and in some cases a strict statute of limitations which may prevent you from bringing a product liability lawsuit or a wrongful death lawsuit if you wait too long.
When you speak with our legal team, they may ask you questions about your experience with chemical hair straighteners, hair relaxers, and permanent hair dyes. Have any receipts and information about your medical examination, surgery, medical records and diagnosis available. If you can’t get these, our hair relaxer lawsuit attorneys may be able to help you obtain records including your medical treatment records and medical bills.
What Hair Products are Part of the Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit?
Currently, some of the chemical hair relaxer brands who have been sued in these lawsuits owned by L’Oreal, Schwarzkopf, and Pantene include, but are not limited to:
Dark & Lovely
Motions
Olive Oil Relaxer
Organic Root Stimulator
Africa’s Best
African Pride
Cantu
Creme of Nature
Just for Me
Optimum
Soft and Beautiful
TCB Naturals
Can You Get Cancer From Relaxing Your Hair?
Hair Relaxer product dates back to 1909 and has historically targeted African-American women taking care of their hair. The product helps to straighten naturally curly hair, making it more manageable to style. Over the years, black women adopted many of the products for a variety of beauty and unfortunate social reasons including adhering to the Eurocentric beauty standards that are pervasive within the workplace, society, and Hollywood as well as intense social media pressure.
While ingredients over the years have changed, most recently these products contain an alkali agent which breaks down the sulfide bonds in the hair, allowing it to become softer and easier to comb. The stylist will then apply a flat iron device (hair straightener) to seal the solution into the strands of the hair. Once the solution is heated, different chemicals are released from the product into the air as a gas. If the salon is not properly ventilated, you, your stylist, and others in the salon are at risk of exposure to chemicals by inhaling the released formaldehyde.
Other types of chemicals in hair care products such as chemical relaxers, root stimulator hair products, and chemicals in hair perm that carry a risk of cancer include:
Sodium hydroxide
Ammonium thioglycolate
Guanidine carbonate
Dimethyl sulfoxide
These chemicals are known carcinogens and have been linked to several cancers, including breast cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, endometrial cancer or endometriosis with intervention or anticipated intervention and leukemia. Because these chemicals are found in cosmetic products, there is now a link between hair relaxers and these common types of cancer and other health risks.
Chemical hair relaxer products contain chemicals known as phthalates. Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more durable and they are often called plasticizers. Phthalates are widely used in various cosmetic products, including chemical hair relaxers. These chemicals, which are linked to endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and cancer, have been banned from cosmetics in the European Union, but still remain prevalent in U.S. products. Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (“EDCs”). EDCs are types of chemicals that impact and disrupt the endocrine system and interfere with hormone receptors.
Hair relaxers contain a phthalate chemical called Di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (“DEHP”). DEHP is a synthetic chemical that is not found naturally in the environment. It is biologically toxic. DEHP is considered a probable human carcinogen and it is known to cause significant adverse-health effects including developmental abnormalities, reproductive dysfunction, infertility and pre-term delivery.
Do Chemicals in Hair Relaxers Cause Uterine Cancer?
The NIH Study published in October 2022, known as the Sister Study, found evidence that the endocrine-disrupting chemicals in hair straightener products contributed to the risk of developing uterine cancer.
The Sister Study occurred over a period of almost 11 years and included nearly 34,000 participants between the ages of 35 and 74. There were 378 cases of uterine cancer diagnosis reported among the study participants. More uterine cancer diagnoses were reported in women who used hair straightener products than in women who never used hair relaxers and the uterine cancer risk was higher when the frequency of hair straightener product use increased.
The Sister Study concluded that 1.64 percent of women who never used hair straightener products would be diagnosed with uterine cancer by age 70. The uterine cancer rate significantly increased to 4.05 percent in women who frequently used hair straightener or relaxer products. The uterine cancer rate includes both endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma.
Additionally, the adverse health effects associated with straightener use could be more consequential for African American and Black women because of the higher prevalence and frequency of hair product use, younger age of initiating use, and harsher chemical formulations than other races and ethnicities. Common symptoms of uterine cancer include vaginal discharge or vaginal bleeding. Oftentimes, uterine cancer can cause heavy bleeding or abnormal bleeding. The standard treatment for stage I uterine cancer is surgery: a complete hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries) with or without removal of the pelvic and para-aortic lymph nodes.
If you or a loved one has received a uterine cancer diagnosis, contact our hair straightener uterine cancer lawyers today to sue by filing a class action personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for damages caused by your exposure to hair straightener chemicals and hold the beauty industry accountable.
Do Chemicals in Hair Relaxers Cause Uterine Fibroids?
A 2012 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology associated fibroid risk with the use of hair relaxers. In the Black Women’s Health Study, the authors assessed hair relaxer use in relation to uterine leiomyomata incidence. In 1997, participants reported on hair relaxer use (i.e., age at first use, frequency, duration, number of burns, and type of formulation). From 1997 to 2009, 23,580 premenopausal women were followed for incident uterine leiomyomata. The authors noted that the incidence of uterine leiomyomata was two to three times higher in US Black women than in US white women, with the lifetime risk estimated to be 80% in US Black women. The study showed positive trends for frequency of use, duration of use, and number of burns:
Uterine fibroids, or uterine leiomyomata, are associated with phthalate metabolites and BPA found in hair care products. Although typically benign, uterine fibroids can cause significant health issues such as excessive menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain, which can significantly affect a woman’s quality of life, and may require invasive surgery. It has been estimated that uterine fibroids account for approximately 30% of all hysterectomies performed on women aged 18-44 years, and are the leading indication for hysterectomy in the U.S. It has been estimated that more than 80% of Black women will develop uterine fibroids, with 20% requiring a hysterectomy.
Many women who have fibroids don’t have any symptoms. In those that do, symptoms can be influenced by the location, size and number of fibroids. The most common signs and symptoms of uterine fibroids include:
Heavy menstrual bleeding, heavy periods, painful periods, and heavy bleeding
Menstrual periods lasting more than a week
Pelvic pressure or pain
Frequent urination
Difficulty emptying the bladder
Constipation
Backache or leg pains
Treatment for uterine fibroids can range from no treatment at all to surgery. Unless fibroid tumors are causing excessive bleeding, discomfort or bladder problems, surgery usually isn’t necessary. In some cases, a myomectomy may be necessary to remove fibroid cysts while preserving the uterus. There are three types of myomectomies: abdominal myomectomy, laparoscopic myomectomy, hysteroscopic myomectomy.
In other cases, surgery for hysterectomy may be required to treat uterine fibroids. A complete hysterectomy is a major surgical procedure in which the uterus is removed. Many women choose hysterectomy to definitively resolve their uterine fibroid symptoms. After hysterectomy, menstrual bleeding stops, pelvic pressure is relieved, frequent urination improves and new uterine fibroids cannot grow. A woman can no longer become pregnant after a hysterectomy. When uterine fibroids require surgical intervention, a partial hysterectomy or a complete hysterectomy may be performed. If you or a loved one has been required to undergo surgery for hysterectomy due to exposure to hair relaxers, the hair relaxer lawyers at the Marin and Barrett law firm can help you recover compensation for damages caused by your exposure and the necessary medical treatment. Additionally, in addition to your potential claim for compensatory damages you are entitled to request punitive damages to punish the beauty industry and cosmetic companies for putting their profits above your health and safety.
Do Chemicals in Hair Relaxers Cause Endometriosis?
The developing fetus and the female reproductive tract are particularly susceptible to EDCs. EDCs are known to interfere with hormonal homeostasis, leading to alteration of estrogen signaling. Specifically, DEHP is known to cause enhanced-estrogenic activity.
Studies have shown that endometriotic women have significantly higher plasma DEHP concentrations than those without the disease. A study that included a sample size of approximately 500 women living in various states observed that DEHP’s metabolite, MEHP, was the only phthalate consistently associated with endometriosis. Another study found high serum levels of DEHP in women diagnosed with endometriosis, with an increasing trend in advanced stages, which led the authors to suggest a role of phthalates in endometriosis etiology. A separate study also found a correlation between BPA serum levels and endometriosis.
Do Chemicals in Hair Relaxers Cause Breast Cancer?
A previous study titled “A review of hair product use on breast cancer risk in African American Women” and published in Cancer Medicine in March 2016 found that the incidence rate of breast cancer for African American women converged with that of non‐Hispanic White women in the United States, although African-American women have a higher mortality rate due to this disease. While the study did not concretely identify breast cancer risks to those who use hair relaxers, it did find that there is a growing body of evidence that warrants further investigation and that exposure to chemical hair relaxers may be one of the factors for breast cancer.
Most women undergo serious medical treatments including surgery for breast cancer. Additional breast cancer treatments after surgery may include such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy or radiation. Chemotherapy might also be used before surgery in certain situations. Other breast cancer treatments may include medications for breast cancer such as hormone therapy, targeted drug treatments, and immunotherapy.
If you have received a breast cancer diagnosis after long-term use of chemical hair straighteners, contact the class action lawsuit personal injury attorneys at the Marin and Barrett law firm today for a free, no obligation initial consultation and learn how you can sue and hold the cosmetic companies resonsible.
Have Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Settlements Been Reached?
To date, no settlements have been reached in the hair relaxer cancer lawsuits against the manufacturers or retailers that produce or sell chemical hair straightening products. These claims have recently been filed and the scientific studies and scientific research supporting these claims is very new. Typically, these types of product liability cases typically take years to reach settlements or verdicts and we are still very early on in the process.
Potential Settlement Value of Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits
While a hair relaxer cancer settlement has not yet been reached, our hair relaxer injury lawyers can review historic claims with similar injuries to advise clients on potential settlement values. Typically, lawsuits that allege a defective product or medicine caused uterine cancer could expect a settlement or verdict in the range of approximately $400,000. These estimated values and potential settlement payouts are based on historic settlements, the cost of the treatments, and emotional stress that severe medical diagnoses, like ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, endocrine disruptor, and uterine cancer lawsuits have.
Uterine cancer is actually one of the most expensive cancers to treat and typically requires surgery. The treatment for uterine cancer can often include chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy radiation therapy, surgery, and targeted therapy.
Not only can you file a lawsuit if you fall into the above scenario where you believe exposure to hair relaxer products were the cause, but you can also file a hair relaxer lawsuit against a doctor for uterine cancer misdiagnosis or for failing to diagnose uterine cancer.
In some states, there is a limit on how much money doctors may have to pay for failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of uterine cancer, depending on the treatment. Some states allow for punitive damages, meaning the jury could award extra money to punish the doctor for their actions. Ultrasounds and MRI scans should be documented by doctors as evidence in court to explain the diagnosis’ results.
Did you develop uterine cancer that was undiagnosed or misdiagnosed by your doctor? Contact us today (888) 348-2735 for a free, no obligation claim evaluation.
Uterine cancer treatment options include:
Surgery
Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy
Hormone therapies
Immunotherapy
Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
The hair relaxer class action lawsuit attorneys at the Marin and Barrett Law Firm strongly believe that these cases have legal merit and are skilled legal advocates for victims with injuries due to the prolonged use of hair relaxer and chemical hair straighteners. The chemical hair straightener lawsuits are seeking financial compensation for individuals suffering with health conditions including the primary injury uterine cancer, endometrial cancer and endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and breast cancer. Call us today at (888) 348-2735. to schedule a free mass torts product liability claim evaluation to discuss your legal options to hold the beauty companies who make these dangerous products liable for the harm they have caused and make them pay for your medical expenses and future medical treatment.
Hair Relaxer Wrongful Death Lawsuits
We are frequently asked if it is possible to join the a hair relaxer litigation on behalf of a loved one that is deceased. The answer is yes, depending upon the state your loved one lived in and the relevant statute of limitations. Therefore, if a loved one passed away due to uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, or breast cancer caused by their exposure to the toxic chemicals in hair relaxers, you may be eligible to file a hair relaxer wrongful death claim on their behalf. To move forward with a hair relaxer wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of a loved one you may need to provide medical records or a death certificate corroborating your loved one’s cancer diagnosis, use of hair relaxers, and cause of death.
If would like to file a hair relaxer or chemical straightener cancer lawsuit, please contact class action and hair relaxer personal injury Attorney Kensley Barrett today at (888) 348-2735. When you call, we will provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss with you your legal options and what is required to file a hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuit. Our team of personal injury lawyers stand ready to assist you and your family and help you take legal action to recover compensatory damages for failure to users of the potential adverse health effects of the use of chemical relaxers and their link to uterine cancer and other serious cancers. Maximum compensation in these mass torts cases should include the loss of enjoyment of life as well as compensation for emotional distress and the loss of quality of life. Don’t delay, take legal action today by asserting a claim for financial compensation. Call the product liability lawyers at Marin and Barrett today to sue and hold these cosmetic companies liable for your injuries. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means that you don’t pay unless we win.
