Scientific studies have revealed a connection between the consistent use of hair relaxers and being diagnosed with uterine cancer, which can cause vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, and vaginal discharge. Many women have filed hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuits with manufacturers and retailers to hold them accountable for negligence that caused their damages.
Uterine cancer from hair relaxer usage can cause economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and lost earning potential. However, it can also have a psychological impact on the person diagnosed, as an unexpected cancer diagnosis can drastically alter a person’s life. Women with uterine cancer suffer from anxiety, depression, and mental disorders before and after surgery and can pursue compensation for these non-economic damages.
Scientific Studies Indicate Consistent Hair Relaxer Use Can Cause Uterine Cancer
Many hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuits have been filed over the past couple of months due to recent scientific studies connected using hair relaxers consistently to uterine cancer risk. Over the past couple of years, there has been an increase in uterine cancer, which has led to scientific studies seeking to know why. It is a cancer that affects the uterus and can come in two forms: endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma. Endometrial cancer affects the uterus’ inner lining (endometrium), and uterine sarcoma affects the uterus’ muscle wall (myometrium). Some of the symptoms include unusual vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, and abnormal vaginal bleeding.
An October 2022 study from the National Institute of Health (NIH) used data from The Sister Study, which was a study conducted by an NIH subsidiary, to examine the causal relationship between hair relaxer use and uterine cancer. The NIH study found that using hair relaxers at least four times a year could double a woman’s risk of suffering from uterine cancer. Hair relaxers contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that have carcinogenic properties and can cause uterine cancer through scalp absorption.
Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Disorders Caused by Uterine Cancer Diagnosis
A study published by the National Library of Medicine sought to identify the psychological effect of an endometrial cancer diagnosis on women. The study assessed 8,155 women in South Korea between January 1st, 2010, and December 31st, 2014.
Of the 8,155 women involved in the study, 567 (seven percent) suffered from some form of mental disorder. Out of those 567 women, 249 received a depression diagnosis, while 248 were diagnosed with anxiety. According to the researchers, depression was more frequent in women under the age of fifty, and anxiety was more common in women over the age of fifty.
This study indicates that an endometrial cancer diagnosis can cause mental difficulties for women. Some of the factors that could lead to the negative psychological impact include anxiety over surgery, the pain of living with it daily, and the financial burden of medical costs.
The Psychological Impact of Uterine Cancer Surgery
The standard treatment for uterine cancer is a hysterectomy, which is a surgical procedure that removes all or part of the uterus. A study published in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology discovered that women experienced significant psychological trauma in the period before, during, and after surgery. According to the study, about 16% of women suffered from anxiety before surgery, while about 6% of women suffered from depression immediately after the surgery.
About 16% of women who were diagnosed with uterine cancer experienced some form of anxiety or depression in a six-month timeframe that included diagnosis, surgery, and recovery. During the three-month perioperative period, women involved in the study noted that worry, focusing on receiving treatment, and psychological distress were their main three problems before surgery.
What Non-Economic Damages Can Hair Relaxer Uterine Cancer Victims Suffer?
The psychological impact of a uterine cancer diagnosis can result in reduced quality of life through worries about their health, depression, and surgical anxiety. It can be difficult to live with constant fear and anxiety about the cost and possible complications that come along with surgery. Depression and anxiety can cause a person to alienate themselves, retreating from society and social relationships due to their worries about their future. These qualify as non-economic damages that you could pursue compensation for in a hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuit.
The following are some of the non-economic damages caused by a uterine cancer diagnosis:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of society
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of companionship
Recovering Compensation for Psychological Damages in a Hair Relaxer Uterine Cancer Lawsuit
It’s common for people to file lawsuits to pursue compensation for economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and lost earning potential. However, non-economic damages that stem from the psychological impact of a personal injury or illness are also fair game.
Those who were diagnosed with uterine cancer because of the consistent use of hair relaxers can suffer psychological trauma and mental disorders. While there may be no tangible cost, the negligence of another party caused damage that they can be liable for. A product liability lawyer can help you assess the value of your non-economic damages caused by the psychological impact of a uterine cancer diagnosis.
What is the Value of Non-Economic Damages in a Hair Relaxer Uterine Cancer Lawsuit?
Identifying the non-economic value of a hair relaxer lawsuit could be difficult, as there are no concrete monetary values to point to. There are many methods for determining the value of non-economic damages and what method is used depends on the severity of the non-economic damages and what state you live in.
The following are two of the common methods for determining non-economic damages:
- Multiplier method: This method for calculating non-economic damages includes multiplying the monetary damages you suffered by a number ranging from one to five. What number is used depends on the severity of your non-economic damages.
- “Per diem” method: This involves evaluating the daily cost of your non-economic damages and receiving payment for each day you suffered. You can receive a sum of money for each day from the day you were diagnosed with uterine cancer until the day you reach maximum medical improvement.
How Can a Product Liability Lawyer Help With Your Hair Relaxer Uterine Cancer Lawsuit?
A product liability lawsuit filed against a multi-million dollar company can be difficult to handle independently, especially without product liability claim experience. Hiring a product liability lawyer to help with your hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuit can put you in the best position to recover compensation for damages.
They can assess the psychological impact that you suffered because of your uterine cancer diagnosis. They can work to ensure your non-economic damages are paid for by any settlement or award. With their help, you can receive fair compensation for the full cost of your current and future damages, allowing you to move on as you recover from uterine cancer.
The following are some of the ways a product liability lawyer can help with your hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuit:
- Assess your hair relaxer uterine cancer damages
- Determine the liable party
- Send the demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Explain your rights
- Keep you up-to-date on any hair relaxer class action lawsuits
- Collect evidence to prove your case
- Interview witnesses and experts witnesses
- Negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company
- Represent you in court
Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Hair Relaxer Uterine Cancer Lawsuit
Dolman Law Group is a personal injury law firm with experienced product liability lawyers equipped to help you with your hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuit. Our product liability lawyers can help assess the psychological and emotional impact of your uterine cancer diagnosis and put you in the best position to recover compensation for depression, anxiety, and mental disorders. With hair relaxer uterine cancer MDL centralization possibly on the way, we can keep you up-to-date on any developments that can help you recover compensation for damages. Contact us today for a free consultation.