After a National Institute of Health report revealed that repeated use of chemical hair relaxers could be causing uterine cancer, women have begun filing personal injury lawsuits against the negligent manufacturers of these hair straightening products. The lawsuits claim companies like L'Oreal are liable for designing a carcinogenic product, as well as failing to warn consumers of its cancer-causing properties.
If you sustained injuries and legal damages due to another party's negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses. The experienced and dedicated team of personal injury lawyers at Dolman Law Group is ready to discuss your situation, explain your legal rights, and calculate your potential damages. We offer free consultations and case evaluations at your convenience.
For many women diagnosed with uterine cancer, legal damages can include losses like medical bills, lost wages, and loss of quality of life. Our hair relaxer cancer attorneys are available to answer your questions and explain the benefits of our services. Schedule a free consultation with our team to learn more about what your hair relaxer cash settlement could be worth in a product liability lawsuit.
Why Choose Dolman Law Group to Represent You
When your life has been upended by a uterine cancer diagnosis, you should be able to focus on caring for your health and your family. Instead, you will likely be besieged with inquiries from insurance companies and bill collectors, overwhelmed with urgent paperwork deadlines, and pressured to settle a claim that could ruin your family's finances.
In order to increase the likelihood of maximizing your compensation and reducing your stress, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer. Dolman Law Group has an established history of securing fair settlements from negligent parties and their insurance carriers. We have the technical expertise and networks of resources to effectively negotiate on your behalf. And we will treat you with the respect and dignity you deserve.
Over the last decade, we have relied on a results-driven approach to obtain maximum compensation for our injured clients. That has allowed us to expand our services throughout Florida and on a national scale. As a result, we have successfully handled a variety of mass tort lawsuits for clients who have been diagnosed with cancer after using defective products, including AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits. This invaluable experience makes us the best choice for women facing physical, financial, and emotional losses after using carcinogenic hair straightening products.
How Chemical Hair Relaxers Can Increase the Risk of Uterine Cancer
Multiple studies have identified a link between the consistent use of chemical hair relaxers and the development of uterine cancer. In a study published by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers assert that women who use chemical hair straighteners four or more times a year can more than double their risk of uterine cancer.
These findings may disproportionately impact Black women, who tend to use chemical hair straighteners at higher rates compared to other demographics. Statistically speaking, uterine cancer also has a significantly higher mortality rate for Black women. Women who have used chemical hair straighteners should exercise caution and seek medical treatment immediately if they experience any symptoms of uterine cancer.
Staying on Top of the National Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
We are closely monitoring the pending Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) brought by women who used hair-relaxing products and were subsequently diagnosed with uterine or other hormone-related cancers. For the most up-to-date information about this complicated litigation, keep an eye on our Hair Straightener Uterine Cancer Lawsuit page.
How Much Is My Hair Relaxer Uterine Cancer Lawsuit Worth?
While it is difficult to place a specific dollar value on a hair relaxer lawsuit without any additional specifics, we anticipate that settlements could be substantial if the makers of these products are found liable. Damages could include a variety of losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Hormone therapy
- Hospital stay
- Job-related losses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Missed Promotions
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
Losses with a set monetary value, called economic damages, can be accounted for with a bill, pay stub, or other clear receipts. Non-economic damages, which cover emotional losses, are most effectively calculated by an experienced personal injury attorney.
Hair Relaxer Settlement Projections
Please note these figures relate to very early projections concerning the potential settlement value for hair relaxer lawsuits. We are in the very early stages of hair straightener litigation and will have a much better idea of potential settlement values once discovery is conducted by all parties. Keep in mind that hair relaxer lawsuits involving cancer diagnoses will have the highest settlement potential as compared to uterine fibroid diagnoses. Likewise, uterine fibroids resulting in a hysterectomy in a woman of childbearing age will generate higher settlement potential as compared to women of advanced age.
Hair Relaxer Uterine Cancer Lawsuit Settlement Projection
There are two types of uterine cancer; uterine sarcoma and endometrial cancer. A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found women who reported frequent use of chemical hair relaxer products (four or more times per year) were 2.5 times more likely to develop uterine cancer. Endometrial cancer is far and away the most common uterine cancer. Thus, we feel very confident in the science illustrating the link between the endocrine-disrupting chemicals in hair straighteners and uterine cancer.
An early projection for a woman who developed uterine cancer during her childbearing years as a result of using chemical hair relaxer products is estimated at $500,000.00+ due in part to permanent infertility. Age and frequency of use will help dictate the potential settlement value of hair relaxer uterine cancer claims. We foresee these cases having jury verdict potential for $1,000,000.00+.
A woman of advanced age (45+) who developed uterine cancer following regular use of hair relaxers has a claim with a settlement value worth $250,000.00+.
Hair Relaxer Ovarian Cancer Settlement Projection
The study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute did not specifically focus on ovarian cancer. However, ovarian cancer is another hormone-based cancer of the female reproductive system. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone react strongly to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, and fragrances.
An early projection for a woman in her childbearing years who developed ovarian cancer after using chemical hair relaxer products stands at $300,000.00+. We feel the science is somewhat strong for hair relaxer ovarian cancer claims based on the above assumptions. The downside is there is a lack of scientific evidence by way of peer-reviewed studies which illustrate the causal link between chemical hair relaxers and ovarian cancer. We believe hair relaxer ovarian cancer claims have a seven-figure potential at trial.
A woman of advanced age (45+) who developed ovarian cancer following regular use of hair relaxers has a settlement value worth $175,000.00+.
Hair Relaxer Uterine Fibroids With Hysterectomy Settlement Value
Women who developed uterine fibroids that result in a hysterectomy following regular use of hair relaxers have a lower settlement value. However, these cases may be a wild card because a hysterectomy renders a woman infertile, and that holds an obvious value for those of childbearing age. Keep in mind that hysterectomies are a very invasive procedure and have a settlement value for women of advanced age as well.
At this time, the scientific link between hair relaxers and uterine cancer is not quite as strong as the causal link for hair relaxer cancers. If new scientific studies prove a causal link, we will update this section as well as this page as a whole throughout the developing hair relaxer lawsuit.
Settlements for Chemical Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits May Vary
Additionally, it is important to remember that any settlement will be evaluated in the context of an individual plaintiff's lifestyle, career, and health. For example, a young, childless woman who required a hysterectomy to treat her uterine cancer would be more likely to receive substantial compensation for losing her ability to have biological children than a post-menopausal woman who required a much less invasive treatment.
Multiple women have already filed product liability lawsuits against the makers of these chemical relaxers, which will also help determine what the average settlement could be worth. Because the chemical hair straightener uterine cancer lawsuits have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation, the discovery and settlement negotiation processes should be streamlined. The outcome of the MDL could also provide a clearer picture for potential plaintiffs regarding the amount of compensation they can expect to receive.
How Toxic Chemicals in Hair Relaxers May Cause Uterine Cancer
The issue appears to be connected to the endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are present in certain chemical hair straighteners. The chemicals in question have a similar effect on the female body as the hormone estrogen, which influences the reproductive system. Uterine cancer can be caused by a hormone imbalance, and it is especially sensitive to high levels of estrogen.
When women apply these chemical relaxers several times a year for many years, these estrogen-like chemicals are absorbed into the body and accumulate, leading to abnormal cell growth in the uterus. Uterine cancer has a high survival rate, but the treatment is often exhausting and painful and may compromise fertility.
Hair Relaxers Contain These Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
Chemical hair relaxer products contain phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as parabens and phenols. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals tend to disrupt the functions of our endocrine systems, which regulate the body’s production of specific hormones.
Phthalates have been the subject of numerous studies and are known to dramatically alter estrogen levels. They are commonly used in cosmetic products because they are known to stabilize liquids. A 2020 epidemiological study of phthalates found this endocrine-disrupting chemical can induce cancers of the female reproductive system by causing a rapid increase in cancer cells.
As previously mentioned, phthalates also raise estrogen levels. Higher estrogen levels lead to the growth and spread of cancer cells. In turn, this leads to the genesis of hormone-dependent cancers such as uterine and ovarian cancer. Other endocrine-disrupting chemicals commonly found in hair relaxers, such as formaldehyde and parabens, are also known carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals).
It is important to note that chemical hair relaxers are known to irritate and even burn the scalp. Lesions (even microscopic ones) to the scalp allow dangerous endocrine-disrupting chemicals to easily enter the bloodstream.
These chemicals have also been associated with the development and growth of uterine fibroids, which often lead to a hysterectomy which causes permanent infertility. Genetics and prolonged exposure to estrogen are known to cause fibroids of the uterus.
Who are the Potential Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Defendants?
The largest corporate defendant in this lawsuit will be L'Oreal which manufactures well-known hair relaxers, including Dark & Lovely and Soft & Beautiful. Other companies with competing products that will be named as defendants include Unilever, which manufactures Sunsilk and Just For Me, and Proctor & Gamble, which manufactures Ultra Sheen.
Smaller manufacturers who will also be named in forthcoming lawsuits include:
- Softsheen Carson, Inc.
- Dabur International and Namaste Laboratories
- Beauty Bell Enterprises
- Cureplex
- Avlon Industries, and
- House of Cheatham.
Which Hair Relaxer Brands Could Be Involved in Hair Straightener Lawsuits?
Popular brands of chemical hair relaxers that might be involved in hair relaxer lawsuits include;
- Bantu
- Dark & Lovely
- Soft & Beautiful
- Just For Me
- Sunsilk
- Ultra Sheen
- Creme of Nature
- Motions Hair Relaxer
- African Pride
- TCB Naturals Relaxer Crème
- Positively Smooth Relaxer System, and
- ORS Olive Oil
If you have used any of these products or other hair straighteners and have been diagnosed with cancer or other medical conditions, don't wait any longer to understand your legal rights. To start moving forward toward a hair relaxer settlement, reach out today.
Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
At Dolman Law Group, you can rest assured that your concerns will be taken seriously. Our dedicated product liability attorneys will relentlessly pursue fair compensation for your damages by gathering the evidence needed to establish liability and validate the true value of your losses.
You can expect us to offer the personalized attention provided by smaller firms, as well as access to resources that you would anticipate from a larger firm. Additionally, we bring valuable trial experience that distinguishes our personal injury law firm from those that simply want a quick settlement.
If you believe that your use of hair straightening products caused your uterine cancer, you should consider filing a product liability lawsuit to recover the value of your damages. We encourage you to take advantage of a free consultation with one of our product liability lawyers to determine the next steps in your hair relaxer uterine cancer claim. Call our team at 833-552-7274 today, and we promise to work tirelessly to exceed your expectations.