Who is Eligible to File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

January 26, 2023 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
Who is Eligible to File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

A growing number of product liability lawsuits against the makers of chemical hair relaxers accuse these companies of neglecting to provide a warning label. Women who have developed uterine cancer and other cancers of the reproductive system claim that the repeated use of chemical hair relaxers caused their health issues. 

They believe that makers of chemical hair relaxers should be held liable for their damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and loss of quality of life. You may have questions about whether or not you qualify to receive compensation in a hair relaxer cancer lawsuit. The product liability lawyers of Dolman Law Group offer prospective clients free consultations to evaluate their claims and provide legal advice. 

Women Who use Chemical Hair Relaxers Are Exposed to Carcinogens

Several reputable studies have identified chemical hair relaxers as cancer-causing products. Specifically, the presence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) in chemical hair relaxers has been named as a carcinogen. When women absorb EDCs through their scalps, the EDCs are mistaken for estrogen by their endocrine systems. The abnormally high levels of estrogen cause tissues in the female reproductive system to overproduce mutated cells, or cancer.

In order to disrupt your body’s endocrine system, studies indicate that consistent or heavy usage is needed to significantly increase the risk of developing cancer. Based on data examined by the NIH, women who use chemical hair relaxers 4 or more times a year are doubling their risk of uterine cancer and other serious health conditions.

Certain Women Are Already at an Increased Risk

The NIH noted that Black women accounted for 60% of the group that reported using chemical hair relaxers 4 or more times a year. That means that Black women are likely at a notably higher risk of developing cancer from chemical hair relaxers because they tend to use them much more frequently. 

Women with a family history of reproductive cancer or other risk factors should be aware of their increased risk and see a medical provider as soon as possible if they notice any of the signs of uterine cancer or other cancers of the reproductive system.

Who Can Claim Compensation in a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

In order to be eligible to file a hair relaxer cancer claim, you must meet certain criteria. First, you must have habitually used chemical hair relaxers, either at home or in the salon. Be prepared to demonstrate that you used these products repeatedly over time, whether that be with salon or store receipts, pictures, or other forms of documentation.

In addition to being a frequent user of chemical hair relaxers, you must have been diagnosed with one of the following conditions:

Finally, you must have sustained meaningful losses as a result of your cancer. This can include a wide range of financial, physical, and emotional losses. A product liability lawyer handling chemical hair relaxer claims can help you establish the links in the chain of causation in order to meet the burden of proof in a civil claim.

Status of the Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuits

Women who meet these qualifications have begun filing product liability lawsuits against chemical hair relaxer makers like L’Oreal for their failure to warn consumers about the carcinogens in their products. Plaintiffs have requested to consolidate their claims into a multidistrict litigation.

There is a hearing scheduled for January 26th, 2023, to decide if the chemical hair relaxer lawsuits should be considered a multidistrict litigation. Plaintiffs favor this action because it will reduce their individual responsibilities while maintaining their ability to receive damages that are specific to their claim.

Damages in a Chemical Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit

Cancer can ravage your body, drain your finances, and harm your mental health.  In a product liability lawsuit, you have the ability to make a claim for compensation that reflects the value of your losses. The damages in hair relaxer claims are likely to be extensive, including both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages have a set price tag and compensate plaintiffs for their monetary losses. Non-economic damages refer to losses that are more subjectively quantified, such as emotional costs. 

Examples of Damages in a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit:

The representatives for the defendants in the hair relaxer claims and their insurance carriers will want to avoid paying out any more than they absolutely have to in order to avoid cutting into their profits. You can protect your claim by seeing a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms or and keeping up with regular visits. This prevents insurance companies from claiming you neglected your health in a ploy to secure a larger settlement.

In addition to seeking medical attention, you should secure the services of a personal injury lawyer taking hair relaxer claims. The sooner you start this process, the better, as product liability claims are typically subject to a statute of limitations and you don’t want to forfeit your right to pursue the compensation you need due to a missed deadline. It also means that you are a step closer to getting the compensation you deserve.

Why Should I Choose Dolman Law Group to Represent Me?

In terms of what Dolman Law Group can bring to the table, our team has been at the forefront of the hair relaxer cancer lawsuits. Not only do we specialize in product liability law, but we have also been heavily involved in other prominent mass tort claims involving defective consumer products, such as the NEC baby formula lawsuits.

At Dolman Law Group, we have a consistent record of recovering maximum compensation for our clients. This is based on our relentless work ethic, expertise, and strategic approach. Our former clients often recommend us to their friends, which is how we expanded our Florida-based firm to a nationwide personal injury law firm.

As a client of Dolman Law Group, you can expect to be treated with the highest level of respect. We understand the impact that your settlement can have on the rest of your life, which is why we won’t pressure you to settle just to close your case. Instead, we will devote the time and resources necessary to maximize your compensation. 

Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

At Dolman Law Group, we are in the habit of going above and beyond for our injured clients. To us, that means staying accessible, being diligent in our work, and keeping our promises. Our team has the knowledge and experience to be an invaluable asset to your personal injury claim.

Our courtroom experience means that we are well-equipped to handle stalemates with insurance companies, as we will not hesitate to take your claim to trial to secure a fair settlement. You can trust us to keep you in the loop as we pursue the maximum compensation available for your chemical hair relaxer cancer claim.

We encourage you to take advantage of a free consultation with one of our product liability lawyers to learn more about the qualifications for filing a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit. You can schedule a free consultation by reaching out to our office today. The hair relaxer cancer attorneys of Dolman Law Group look forward to discussing your personal injury claim in greater detail.

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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