Hair Straightening Chemical
Lawsuits
If your law firm is representing clients affected by chemical hair relaxers, understanding the latest developments in the litigation is crucial.
Chemical hair relaxer lawsuits have been filed by women who developed uterine, breast, or ovarian cancer after using these products, alleging that manufacturers failed to warn consumers about the associated health risks.
With thousands of lawsuits now consolidated in multidistrict litigation (MDL 3060) in the Northern District of Illinois, the number of cases continues to grow. There are lawsuits ongoing outside of the MDL in Southern District of Georgia, Southern District of Ohio, Southern District of New York, and Northern District of California.
Which Hair Relaxer Brands Are Involved in the Chemical Hair Straightener Lawsuits?
Lawsuits have been filed by a growing number of women who used these hair straightener/relaxer products and subsequently developed severe health conditions, such as uterine cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. They allege that the chemicals in the products were responsible.
Multiple beauty brands have been named in the chemical relaxer lawsuits. Some of the brands sued include:
- L’Oréal/SoftSheen-Carson LLC (including Dark & Lovely, Optimum, and Mizani)
- Revlon (including Creme of Nature and Revlon Realistic)
- Strength of Nature, LLC (including products like Just for Me, Soft & Beautiful, African Pride, Motions, and others)
- Dabur/Namaste Laboratories/Dermoviva Skin Essentials (ORS Olive Oil)
- McBride Research Laboratories (Design Essentials)
- Parfums de Coeur (Cantu)
- Avlon Industries (Affirm)
- AFAM Concept/JF Labs (Hawaiian Silky)
- Luster Products (including Pink and Smooth Touch)
- Sally Beauty (Silk Elements)
- Beauty Bell/House of Cheatam (Africa’s Best)
Primary Allegations Against Hair Relaxers
Hair relaxers/straighteners use chemicals that “relax and straighten” the curls. Phthalates are chemical compounds found in these products. It is a known endocrine disrupting chemical, which interferes with the function of the endocrine system of the body.
The endocrine system is responsible for helping to maintain body homeostasis or balance. It regulates the nervous system, metabolism, and reproductive system. A slight disruption to this can cause serious health conditions. Further, one of the phthalates in the products (Di-2-ethylhexylphthalate or DEHP) is known to be a toxic artificial chemical that is known to cause serious health conditions.
These chemicals have been known to cause conditions such as:
- Uterine cancer
- Breast cancer
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Pre-term delivery
Research studies have reported adverse health risks caused by the phthalates in hair relaxer/straightener products.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute (October 2022)
This study found that using hair relaxer products was associated with a higher risk of uterine cancer in comparison with individuals who never used the products.
Cancer Medicine
(March 2016)
This study found a connection between hair products containing endocrine disrupting chemicals (including hair relaxers) and an increased risk of breast cancer in African American women.
American Journal of Epidemiology (March 2012)
This study found an increase in the risk of uterine fibroids (uterine leiomyomata) and the use of hair relaxers in African American women.
Background on Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
Hair relaxer/straightener products are commonly used hair products. Usually a cream or lotion, these products use chemicals to “relax and straighten” curly or wavy hair. The market for these products in 2021 was very robust and is expected to increase significantly by 2030.
Complaints against many companies that sold these products were initiated in 2022. The plaintiffs allege that they used these hair relaxer products and subsequently developed uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, and/or other cancers. They allege the following:
- Negligent failure to warn
- Negligent design and manufacturing
- Negligence and/or gross negligence
- Negligent misrepresentation
- Design and/or manufacturing defects
- Fraud
- Fraudulent concealment
- Breach of warranties
Plaintiffs maintain that they used the hair relaxer/straightener products according to the instructions and had no knowledge of the dangers the products carried. They demand compensatory, economic, and punitive damages as well as their attorney fees and costs of bringing the cases.
Plaintiff firms acquiring hair straightener cases can expect a high volume of interest in this litigation. Case Works helps law firms quickly scale with expert qualification, intake, signup, case development, and on-going case management and communication services. Contact us today to discuss your firm’s needs and how our turnkey solutions can make the front-end of your firm’s intake process highly efficient.
