The recent rise in lawsuits connecting the two seemingly unrelated issues of hair relaxer and endometriosis stands as an alarming reminder that environmental hazards can lead to serious medical conditions. While products like hair perms and relaxers have long been a common part of many beauty regimens, the link between hair relaxers and endometriosis (and uterine cancer) has become more evident in recent years as research continues to uncover potential risks associated with their use.
Contact Attorney Kensley Barrett for a Free, No Obligation Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit Evaluation
Chemical hair relaxer products and chemical hair straightener products contain a variety of potentially hazardous chemicals, including sodium hydroxide (lye), guanidine hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate, and cysteamine hydrochloride. All of these chemicals in hair relaxers have been linked to endometriosis in studies conducted by the World Health Organization and other medical research organizations.
Hair Relaxer Endometriosis Lawsuits
The plaintiffs in these hair relaxer lawsuits are women who used relaxer and hair straightener products regularly for long periods and were later diagnosed with endometriosis, endometrial cancer, uterine cancer, and uterine fibroids. The defendants named in the lawsuits include major cosmetic companies such as L’Oreal, SoftSheen Carson, Strength of Nature, and Namaste Laboratories.
As class action personal injury lawyers take up Hair Relaxer Endometriosis Lawsuits on behalf of those suffering from this condition due to prolonged usage of such chemical-based agents, it’s important for us all to understand both the evidence behind these claims and why it’s essential that individuals are protected from potentially dangerous products when using them for cosmetic purposes.
LATEST UPDATE ON HAIR RELAXER ENDOMETRIOSIS LAWSUITS
November 16th, 2023
Critical Progress in Hair Relaxer Litigation Focused on Endometriosis Claims
On November 13, 2023, U.S. District Judge Mary Rowland issued a groundbreaking ruling in the ongoing legal battle against leading cosmetic companies like L’Oréal and Revlon concerning their hair relaxer products. This significant decision paves the way for the majority of over 8,000 lawsuits to proceed, particularly those alleging a link between hair relaxers and endometriosis.
Central to these lawsuits is the grave accusation that the use of chemical hair relaxers, mainly marketed to women of color, is connected to an increased risk of developing endometriosis. This concern has been heightened by research, including studies from the National Institutes of Health, which suggest a possible association between the frequent use of hair relaxer products and an elevated risk of endometriosis.
While the court dismissed certain claims regarding fraud for lack of comprehensive evidence, the key allegations of negligence, flaws in the product design, and the failure to provide adequate warnings to consumers about potential health risks have been sustained and will proceed through the legal system.
This litigation has cast a spotlight on the issue of these beauty brands targeting their marketing towards Black and Brown women and young girls, without full disclosure of the potential health implications, specifically concerning endometriosis. The legal teams representing the plaintiffs, including noted attorneys such as Ben Crump and Jennifer Hoekstra, are determined to hold these companies accountable for the alleged harm caused by their products.
This latest ruling represents a crucial advancement in the quest for justice and accountability for those affected, highlighting the ongoing concerns about the safety of chemical hair relaxers in the beauty industry. It marks an important milestone for the numerous individuals engaged in this lawsuit, particularly focusing on the alleged link between hair relaxers and endometriosis.
Why You May Be Entitled to Compensation in Hair Relaxer Endometriosis Lawsuits
At Marin and Barrett legal firm, we believe that women who have suffered from endometriosis after using hair relaxers may be entitled to compensation through a hair relaxer settlement. Endometriosis can cause swelling of the uterus, painful periods, and heavy bleeding. In severe cases, it can even lead to infertility.
Therefore, individuals who have developed endometriosis due to hair relaxer use could be eligible for compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you or someone you know has been affected by this condition after continuous usage of such products, it’s important to seek legal counsel in order to determine whether you are entitled to damages.
At Marin and Barrett, our team of personal injury attorneys has a wealth of experience representing clients in endometriosis hair relaxer lawsuits and uterine cancer lawsuits. We understand the complexities of this area of law and can provide you with the legal counsel and representation needed to ensure that your case is given due consideration and that you are awarded any compensation to which you may be entitled.
Studies Showing How Hair Relaxer Products Cause Endometriosis
Exposure to phthalates and endometriosis are linked in many ways. Phthalates are a type of plasticizer used to make plastics soft and pliable; they are found in many everyday items such as food packaging, cosmetic products, cleaning products, toys, and medical devices. Unfortunately, these chemicals can leach into the environment and accumulate in our bodies, as evidenced in increased concentrations shown in some blood tests and blood levels over time. This can lead to a number of health issues including hormone disruption. Studies have shown that exposure to phthalates is associated with an increased risk of cancer in general as well as:
- risk of endometriosis (endometrial tissue growth/endometrial cancer) or uterine cancer (abnormal uterine tissue growth),
- risk of ovarian cancer,
- risk of breast cancer,
- risk of uterine fibroids,
- risk of infertility,
- female infertility, and
- other life-threatening health risk factors
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where cells from the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus, attaching themselves to other organs such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Symptoms include pelvic pain, heavy periods, infertility, fatigue and digestive problems.
In one of the medical studies conducted in South Korea on more than 600 women with endometriosis and an equal number without it, researchers found that those with higher levels of four different types of phthalates were more likely to have endometriosis than those with lower levels. Another scientific study involving 2000 women showed that those who reported using cleaning products containing phthalates at least once a month had a 22% greater risk of being diagnosed with endometriosis than women who did not use such products. This epidemiologic evidence is a piece of causation evidence that suggests that there may be an association between regular phthalate exposure and endometriosis risk.
Although more research needs to be done to confirm this connection, it’s important for people with endometriosis (or those at risk for developing it) to be aware of their exposure to chemicals so they can reduce their potential health risks. By avoiding contact with items containing phthalates or choosing products labeled “phthalate free” when possible (such as nail polish), you can help protect yourself from these potential toxins.