Uterine cancer rates have increased over the past couple of years, and scientific research has indicated that hair straighteners may have played a role. Hair straighteners contain carcinogenic EDCs, which can seep into the scalp and cause uterine cancer. Research studies have gathered that using hair straighteners at least four times a year can double a woman’s chance of uterine cancer diagnosis.
Women can file hair straightener lawsuits to pursue compensation for damages, including medical bills, lost earning potential, and loss of enjoyment of life. These lawsuits can be complicated, as multi-million dollar companies will try to deny, delay, or devalue claims as much as they can to keep their profits up. There is a hearing in January 2023 that could consolidate all hair straightener lawsuits and provide greater clarity as to how long victims will have to wait before receiving compensation.
Consistent Hair Straightener Use Can Cause Uterine Cancer
Hair straightener lawsuits have been filed due to scientific research that has connected the consistent use of hair straighteners to increased uterine cancer risk. It is a type of cancer that affects the uterus and has happened more frequently over the past couple of years. There are two forms of uterus cancer: endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. Endometrial cancer is when an abnormal growth of cells happens in the uterus’ inner lining (endometrium), whereas uterine sarcoma involves cancerous cells growing in the uterus’ muscle wall (myometrium).
The National Institute of Health (NIH) published a scientific study in October of 2022 about the causal relationship between hair straightener use and uterine cancer risk. This study was derived from data collected from the Sister Study, which was a study conducted by an NIH subsidiary. The Sister Study tracked the hair care product usage and health of about 50,000 women aged 35-74 over the course of eleven years. According to the NIH study, women who used hair-straightening products at least four times a year had double the risk of a uterine cancer diagnosis.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Hair Straightener Lawsuit?
It’s in the best interest of product liability victims, including hair straightener victims, to file their product liability lawsuits as soon as they can. These types of lawsuits can take a long time to reach a conclusion, so beginning the process early can put you in a position to recover compensation quicker. As medical bills and economic damages pile up, getting to a fair settlement or award quicker can be a huge help.
On top of that, each type of personal injury lawsuit has a certain statute of limitation, which is how long a victim has to file a lawsuit. Each state will have its own laws regarding product liability statute of limitations. For example, Florida has a statute of limitations for product liability lawsuits of four years from the date of the injury or illness. That would change to two years if there is a wrongful death. Speak to a product liability lawyer in your state to see how long you have to file a hair straightener lawsuit.
When Can Your Hair Straightener Lawsuit Conclude?
There is no set time for how long your hair straightener lawsuit is likely to take. As of right now, a lot regarding hair straightener litigation is up in the air because of potential hair straightener lawsuit consolidation. There is a date set for January 23rd when the Judicial Panel for Multi-District Litigation (JPML) will hear oral arguments and make a decision about whether to establish a hair straightener multi-district litigation.
How Would a Hair Straightener MDL Affect How Long Your Lawsuit Takes?
Depending on what decision the JPML makes, your hair straightener lawsuit could still take years to reach its conclusion. If a hair straightener multi-district litigation (MDL) consolidates, there will be a lengthy discovery period, as well as bellwether trials. These are test trials where a select number of cases go to trial to show both sides how a jury will respond to the evidence and details of the case.
Despite the potentially long process involved in an MDL, it can ultimately help hair straightener victims recover compensation. Instead of taking on a powerful hair product manufacturer or retailer with just your product liability lawyer, you can pool resources with other hair straightener victims. The discovery process will be streamlined and be less of a burden on your product liability lawyer. A successful MDL will allow plaintiffs to receive compensation for their specific damages, not just receive a cut of a global settlement. Consolidation allows plaintiffs to recover compensation like a regular lawsuit but reap the benefits of the resources, expertise, and experience of a collection of product liability lawyers.
Damages in a Hair Straightener Lawsuit
Victims of uterine cancer due to the consistent use of hair straighteners can experience significant damages. Their financial situation can be dire, as they have to find a way to pay for expensive medical costs that can include surgery, medication, and hospitalization. They’ll have to find a way to pay for this treatment while they may not be able to receive wages from their job.
On top of the economic fallout of their uterine cancer diagnosis, they can experience psychological impact from the unexpected diagnosis. Women with uterine cancer can experience depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life due to worrying about their health. Their social relationships can also suffer as they experience anxiety and depression over uterine cancer.
Examples of Damages in a Hair Straightener Lawsuit
A product liability lawyer can help you to calculate the true value of your hair straightener lawsuit by considering economic and non-economic damages. They likely have connections with medical experts who can help to evaluate the cost of your illness already and what costs you could incur in the future.
The following are some examples of hair straightener damages you could pursue compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of society
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
How Can a Product Liability Lawyer Help With Your Hair Straightener Lawsuit?
Hiring a product liability lawyer can help with the process of a hair straightener lawsuit, whether there ends up being an MDL or not. They have experience with multiple types of product liability claims and can use that experience to inform the legal counsel for your hair straightener lawsuit. A product liability attorney can help assess your current and future hair straightener damages, determine the liable party, collect evidence, interview expert witnesses, and negotiate a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
A product liability lawyer can also be an invaluable resource should hair straightener lawsuit consolidation occur. They can represent your interests as all lawsuits become consolidated and ensure your damages are paid for in a potential global settlement. They can also keep you up-to-date on how the MDL is progressing and provide a timeline for when you could possibly receive compensation for your damages.
Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Hair Straightener Lawsuit
Dolman Law Group is a personal injury law firm that has experienced product liability lawyers that can help with your hair straightener lawsuit. They have intimate knowledge of national hair straightener litigation and can keep you up-to-date on how the hair straightener MDL is progressing. Our product liability lawyers can ensure you recover full compensation for damages by using the firm’s vast resources and providing personalized legal counsel that caters to your specific situation. Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your hair straightener lawsuit.