Just For Me Hair Relaxer Lawsuits

February 2, 2023 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman

Just For Me is a chemical hair relaxer explicitly marketed to children that has been named in hair relaxer lawsuits for containing toxic chemicals that can cause hormone-sensitive cancer. Despite being marketed as a gentler form of hair relaxer, it contains the same toxic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as other hair relaxers, which can disrupt natural hormone production and result in hormone-sensitive health conditions such as uterine cancer.

If you suffered from a hormone-sensitive health condition such as ovarian cancer or endometriosis due to using Just For Me hair relaxers, you could file a hair relaxer lawsuit to pursue compensation for damages. A product liability lawyer can help you hold Strength of Nature, LLC and its parent company Godrej Group accountable for negligence that led to severe health conditions like uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, and ovarian cancer.

The History of Just For Me

Recent hair relaxer lawsuits have been filed to hold manufacturers of hair relaxers accountable for possible health risks not mentioned in product labeling or marketing. One of the products mentioned in hair relaxer litigation is Strength of Nature, LLC’s Just For Me, a popular at-home hair relaxer brand for children. Just For Me hit the market in the 1990s as a product advertised to help girls straighten their hair.

After Just For Me became a prominent children’s hair relaxer brand, Godrej Group acquired Strength of Nature, LLC. Godrej Group is an Indian-based international conglomerate that owns and operates subsidiaries in various business sectors, such as real estate, furniture, and consumer products.

Just For Me continues to be a popular children's brand of hair relaxers, currently being sold in most major retailers like Amazon, Walgreens, and Walmart.

Just For Me Hair Relaxers Contain Toxic Chemicals

Just For Me has come under fire like other hair relaxer brands for containing toxic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). They can interfere with the endocrine system and the body’s natural hormone production, leading to hormone imbalance and health issues. Consistent use of hair relaxers like Just For Me can expose someone to EDCs and cause health issues because they can block hormone functionality and alter the body’s hormone sensitivity.

The following are some of the EDCs discovered in Just For Me hair relaxers: 

  • Formaldehyde
  • Phthalates
  • Bisphenol A
  • Parabens 
  • Cyclosiloxanes
  • Metals
  • Triclosan
  • Diethanolamine
  • Sodium hydroxide

Study Draws Causal Relationship Between Hair Relaxer Use and Uterine Cancer

The basis for the hair relaxer lawsuits Strength of Nature has been named in is an October 2022 study from the National Institute of Health (NIH). The research assessed data from a separate study, the Sister Study, to determine the relationship between hair relaxer use and increased rates of uterine cancer. They used the data of 33,497 women ages 35-74 who answered annual questionnaires about their hair care product use and health status over the course of eleven years.

The NIH study established that if a woman uses hair relaxers at least four times a year, they can more than double their risk of uterine cancer. Women who do not use hair relaxers have a 1.64% chance of uterine cancer diagnosis, whereas consistent hair relaxer users have a 4.05% chance.

The study was used to draw a connection between the toxic EDCs in hair relaxers and increased uterine cancer risk, which many plaintiffs used in hair relaxer lawsuits meant to hold manufacturers like Strength of Nature accountable for negligence.

Uterine Cancer Caused by Just For Me Hair Relaxer Use

The most common health condition caused by EDC exposure through hair relaxer use is uterine cancer. It is a type of hormone-sensitive cancer that affects the cells of the uterus. There are two types of uterine cancer: uterine sarcoma and endometrial cancer. Uterine sarcoma affects the uterus's muscle wall (myometrium), whereas endometrial cancer affects the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium).

Uterine cancer can cause significant symptoms, such as thin white or clear vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and pelvic and abdominal pain. Those who have uterine cancer due to the consistent use of Just For Me hair relaxers may require treatment in the form of a hysterectomy, a surgery that removes part or all of the uterus. This is a life-altering surgery, as it can leave a woman without the ability to become pregnant.

Other Health Conditions Caused by Just For Me Hair Relaxer Use

Another hormone-sensitive health condition caused by using hair relaxers like Just For Me is uterine fibroids, which are muscular tumors that can appear in the uterus. Although these tumors are not cancerous, they can cause significant symptoms, such as heavy bleeding, lower back pain, and bloating. According to an American Journal of Epidemiology study from 2012, hair relaxer use and EDC exposure can cause uterine fibroids. Most people need to get a hysterectomy to prevent uterine fibroids from reoccurring and growing too large. 

Women can also have ovarian cancer from hair relaxer use, which is when the cells in one or both ovaries mutate. The ovaries are important for storing and creating eggs, so ovarian cancer can cause reproductive issues. Ovarian cancer does not have obvious symptoms, making it hard to detect. Treatment for severe ovarian cancer cases requires removing an ovary or ovaries. 

Just For Me is Marketed Specifically to Young People

Just For Me is a hair relaxer specifically targeted toward young children, which can expose them to dangerous toxic chemicals from a young age. The consistent use of hair relaxers from childhood can cause them to be exposed more to EDCs than if they were to start in adulthood.

You have a chance of EDC exposure that can cause uterine cancer no matter when you use hair relaxers. However, beginning the process at a young age can increase the likelihood of future hormone-sensitive health issues because they would be using hair relaxers consistently over many years.

Strength of Nature Failed to Warn Consumers of Just For Me Health Risks

Strength of Nature, the manufacturer of Just For Me, failed to disclose to consumers that the hair relaxer product contained toxic EDCs that could cause hormone-sensitive health issues. Failing to inform consumers of the health risks associated with a product is negligent behavior that can leave a manufacturer liable for damages in a product liability lawsuit.

By failing to disclose information about the EDCs in Just For Me, Strength of Nature breached the duty of care they owe its consumers. If you used Just For Me and can prove you received hormone-sensitive health issues, you could file a hair relaxer lawsuit with Strength of Nature as a defendant to pursue compensation for damages.

Filing a Just For Me Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Victims of hormone-sensitive health issues that used Just For Me hair relaxers can file a hair relaxer lawsuit to hold Strength of Nature liable for negligence. It would fall under product liability, a type of personal injury lawsuit meant to hold manufacturers responsible for dangerous products. Godrej Group and Strength of Nature failed to warn consumers about the toxic EDCs contained in Just For Me hair relaxers, which can result in them being held liable in a hair relaxer lawsuit.

Plaintiffs of hair relaxer lawsuits have recently attempted to consolidate their cases into a hair relaxer lawsuit multi-district litigation (MDL). This would consolidate all hair relaxer lawsuits before one judge, benefitting plaintiffs by promoting consistency in discovery, allowing them to pool resources, and increasing the chances of a global settlement.

The Judicial Panel on Multi-District Litigation (JPML) heard oral arguments from both the plaintiffs and defendants on January 26th and will now deliberate on a decision regarding consolidation. Contact an experienced product liability lawyer today to learn how they can help you file a hair relaxer lawsuit for damages caused by Just For Me hair relaxers.

Damages in a Just For Me Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

If you received a hormone-sensitive cancer diagnosis because of the use of Just For Me hair relaxers, you could recover compensation for damages through a hair relaxer lawsuit. Your health condition will likely affect you financially, as you have to pay for medical expenses and miss time off of work.

You can also suffer psychologically and have your standard of living worsened by worries over your health, possible surgery, and life-altering complications of your medical condition. Contact a product liability lawyer today to calculate the true value of your current and future damages.

The following are some of the hair relaxer damages caused by Just For Me hair relaxer products:

How Can Dolman Law Group Help With Your Just For Me Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

At Dolman Law Group, our product liability lawyers have a proven track record of helping victims of dangerous products recover fair compensation for their damages. Our hair relaxer lawyers can use their experience, skills, and insight to inform the lawsuit process and put you in the best position to recover compensation for your damages.

The following are some of the ways Dolman Law Group’s product liability lawyers can help you with your Just For Me hair relaxer lawsuit:

  • Calculate the total cost of your current and future damages
  • Explain your rights
  • Draft and send the demand letter to the at-fault party
  • Collect evidence to prove Strength of Nature’s liability
  • Speak to expert witnesses
  • Negotiate a fair settlement to compensate you for hair relaxer damages
  • Represent you in a hair relaxer court case
  • Keep you updated on the potential hair relaxer MDL

Our personalized legal counsel has helped many product liability victims recover fair compensation for their damages and get back on their feet after a severe injury or illness. Let our product liability lawyers use their considerable experience to help you recover compensation for damages in a Just For Me hair relaxer lawsuit.

Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Just For Me Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Dolman Law Group is a personal injury firm with product liability lawyers with over 100 years of combined experience holding manufacturers liable for negligence that leads to injuries and medical conditions. They can help you hold Godrej Group and Strength of Nature, LLC accountable for failing to warn consumers of the toxic EDCs in their Just For Me hair relaxers.

Allow our product liability attorneys to assist you by calculating your damages, collecting evidence to prove the at-fault party’s liability, and keeping you updated on the progression of the potential hair relaxer lawsuit MDL. Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your Just For Me hair relaxer lawsuit.

 

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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