Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
At Flint Cooper, we are committed to upholding the rights of women who have been adversely affected by the use of chemical hair relaxers or straighteners. These products have been linked to an increased risk of uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancers.
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Schedule a Free Consultation
Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
At Flint Cooper, we are committed to upholding the rights of women who have been adversely affected by the use of chemical hair relaxers or straighteners. These products have been linked to an increased risk of uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancers. The manufacturers of these products failed to warn women about the potential health risks. These products are still being sold with no cancer risk warnings today.
Recent studies have shown that all chemical hair straighteners and relaxers are dangerous. Manufacturers have successfully marketed these products for decades by exploiting the stigmatization of the natural hair of women of color, while having no regard for the potential health impacts. Because of these marketing tactics, black women account for a majority of the consumers that have been exposed.
If you have used chemical hair straightener or relaxer products and later developed uterine, endometrial or ovarian cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. We encourage you to schedule a free consultation with Flint Cooper at +1 618.288.4777 to discuss your legal options and potential recourse.
$2,000,000,000+
Latest Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Updates
October 2023: Presently, there are 5,996 active lawsuits in the Illinois MDL, with a total of 6,0227 cases filed.
August 2023: The Illinois MDL reports an additional 39 chemical hair straightener or relaxer cancer lawsuits.
July 2023: The Illinois hair relaxer MDL documents 236 pending cases as of July 2023.
June 2023: Currently, there are 149 cases awaiting resolution in the Illinois MDL out of the 152 lawsuits that were initially filed.
March 2023: The Illinois MDL reported 78 cases awaiting adjudication.
February 2023: All chemical hair straightener or relaxer lawsuits have been consolidated in the Northern District of Illinois by the Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
January 2023: Tamara Sigars initiated legal action against L’Oreal and other companies following an ovarian cancer diagnosis.
November 2022: A motion was filed to centralize chemical hair straightener and relaxer lawsuits in multidistrict litigation in Illinois.
November 2022: Carla G. Rose and Dollie Dillon filed a class action against Dabur International and Namaste Laboratories, seeking reimbursement for hair straightening product purchases.
October 2022: Jenny Mitchell, diagnosed with uterine cancer, filed one of the initial lawsuits against L’Oreal and other companies.
October 2022: A study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) discovered an elevated risk of uterine cancer, breast cancer, fibroids and other serious conditions among women using chemical hair straighteners.
What Are Chemical Hair Straighteners?
Chemical hair straightening or relaxing products employ heat and chemicals to alter the natural bonds in hair, focusing on disulfide, hydrogen and salt bonds. Application breaks the disulfide bonds, leading to permanent straightening or relaxing, and the results require continuous maintenance until new hair growth occurs.
The compositions of these products consists of chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate, sodium thioglycolate, formaldehyde, cyclosiloxanes, parabens, diethanolamine, phthalates, benzophenone-3 and triclosan. Exposure to these substances raises concerns about potential health complications, including cancer.
Uterine cancer and breast cancer stand as the primary cancers associated with chemical hair straighteners and relaxers. Studies attribute the heightened risk to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present in these products. Beyond cancer, studies have also linked chemical hair straighteners and relaxers to endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Women who use these products more than four times per year face the highest risk of developing uterine or breast cancer.
Data from a 2022 NIH study reveals that women using these products were nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with uterine cancer, and 30% more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer. While the current litigation primarily focuses on uterine, endometrial and ovarian cancer, legal experts suggest that the scope could expand through further scientific studies.
Do I Qualify To File a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
If you have been diagnosed with uterine, endometrial or ovarian cancer after using chemical hair straighteners or relaxers, you may be entitled to compensation. Only a licensed attorney can determine whether or not you qualify.
There may be time limits to file a claim, so contact an experienced attorney today. While it’s helpful to have receipts and information about your diagnosis available, Flint Cooper will work to obtain all relevant records.
How Flint Cooper Can Help
Our legal team is ready to advocate on your behalf and seek compensation for the hardships you have endured. Your well-being is our priority, and we are dedicated to seeking justice for those who have suffered from the negligence of the manufacturers of the hair products. Flint Cooper operates on a contingency basis, meaning you will pay zero expenses unless a settlement is won on your behalf. To schedule a free consultation please call +1 618.288.4777.