Hair Straighteners/Relaxers

Why Do Hair Relaxers Allegedly Cause Cancer? 

Just one week before Mitchell filed her lawsuit, a study was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The 10-year study of nearly 34,000 women found that the rate of uterine cancer was almost 3 times higher for women who regularly used hair-relaxing products.1

Regular use was defined as one application every 5-8 weeks. The study was the first published research to show an association between hair relaxers and uterine cancer. However, previous studies have found that certain hair products were associated with a higher risk of hormone-sensitive cancers including breast and ovarian cancer.   

Synthetic chemicals are to blame for serious illnesses that have allegedly been caused by hair relaxers. Of particular concern are phthalates (“tha-lates”), which are a group of chemicals. In hair products, phthalates are added to lubricate other ingredients and to enhance fragrance.

One particularly egregious phthalate is “DEHP.” The U.S. Department of Health  and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program concluded in 2021 that DEHP “is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.”2

In several research studies, phthalates such as DEHP have been associated with many reproductive disorders. Yet there are no warning labels on hair relaxers about the risks of using hair relaxers.

How Many Hair Straightener Lawsuits Are There? 

As of February 6, 2023, at least 57 hair relaxer lawsuits have been filed in federal courts across the country. Because of the number of additional personal injury claims filed, thousands more lawsuits are expected to be filed. 

What Hair Relaxer Products Allegedly Cause Cancer?

• Johnson & Johnson
• Namaste Laboratories
• Dabur USA
• Strength of Nature Global
• SoftSheen/Carson

Brands of hair relaxers either currently involved in the litigation or those that may be considered include:

• Dark & Lovely
• Just For Me
• Optimum Care
• Soft & Beautiful
• Olive Oil Girls
• Motions
• TCB Naturals
• Brazilian Blowout

Where Will The Hair Relaxer Lawsuits Be Tried?

On Feb. 6, 2023, all the federal hair relaxer lawsuits were assigned to multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Chicago. 

The purpose of an MDL is to consolidate cases so that U.S. District Courts across the country do not get clogged with potentially thousands of cases that are very similar.

Who Can File A Hair Straightener Lawsuit?

 Lawsuits can be filed by anybody who has used chemical hair straighteners and received a diagnosis of uterine cancer, breast cancer, uterine fibroids or endometriosis.

How Much Money Can You Get By Filing A Hair Straightener Lawsuit?

It’s too early in the litigation to be able to tell. If a settlement is reached, it will likely be because the manufacturers end up losing the first few- or several test cases, which are called bellwether trials. Compensation could be in the six or even seven figures, depending on the severity of the injury and the age of the plaintiff, among other factors. 

The best way to tell if you can file a lawsuit is to contact an attorney who specializes in hair relaxer lawsuits. 

What Is The Statute of Limitations For Hair Relaxer Lawsuits?

The length of time you have to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires depends upon which state you live in. Contacting a law firm that is helping hair straightener plaintiffs is the best course of action in determining if you are eligible. 

How Do You File A Hair Straightener Lawsuit?

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