Hair Relaxer Lawsuit:
Are Hair Relaxers Causing Uterine Cancer?
What is a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit and How Can You Get Compensated?
The military claims to strive for inclusivity in their grooming and appearance guidelines; however, that has not always been the case. The regulations for haircuts and hairstyles in the military often included policies such as wearing ponytails or braids, short or medium-length hair, and much more. Although these regulations may seem feasible for some, others must work much harder to follow the rules. For decades, People of Color (POC) have had to use hair relaxers and straighteners to adhere to military rules.
These products often assist POC to slick back their hair in braids and ponytails. However, these hair care products contain chemicals that affect the endocrine system and hormones. Over time, these chemicals have the ability to disrupt the body and sometimes causing the development of uterine cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, and other serious medical conditions. As a result, many veteran People of Color are plaintiffs in hair relaxer lawsuits and will need to seek financial compensation due to recent news.
Were you or someone you know a member of the military who used hair relaxers? If so, it’s important that you understand the different types of lawsuits available and how you can participate in them. However, time is of the essence as there are varying statutes of limitations. Don’t wait, take action now to learn more about hair relaxer lawsuits and determine if you can file a claim.
Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Types –
Legal Options and Compensation
Female veterans were urged to follow strict rules regarding appearance. Both women overseas serving in places like Iraq and Vietnam, and those in basic training in their hometowns, must stay within the regulations the military outlines. Hair relaxers and straighteners contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, meaning that many people develop medical conditions relating to the endocrine and endometrial systems.
most common illnesses linked to hair relaxers include:
- Breast Cancer
- Uterine Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Endometriosis
- Uterine Fibroids
If you have developed conditions such as ovarian cancer or endometriosis after using chemical hair straighteners, you may be eligible to file a case. If you choose to file a case, your hair relaxer cash settlement amount will be influenced by the type of illness you developed and its severity, your unique pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. Although hair relaxer settlements vary based on each legal case, the average hair relaxer lawsuit payout per person ranges from $100,000 to $1,500,000.
If you are a veteran that used hair relaxers due to the U.S. military rules and regulations, you may have a case; however, you will not be suing the military but rather the hair relaxer manufacturers. Learn more about the types of hair relaxer case lawsuits and how to participate in a case.
Hair Relaxer Class-Action Lawsuit
In the legal realm, a class-action lawsuit serves as a mechanism for a group of individuals, also known as the class, to bring a case to court. The awarded compensation from the lawsuit, after legal fees are deducted, is shared among all members of the class. Despite the recent discovery of negative side effects connected to hair relaxers, there are currently very few class-action lawsuits related to this matter. However, many individual claims against a single manufacturer and its affiliates have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. This method allows similar hair relaxer cases to be combined and worked on collaboratively by attorneys, making it easier for plaintiffs to receive the just compensation they deserve.
We are gathering plaintiffs affected by hair relaxers to begin our own class-action suit. If you or someone close to you has experienced the devastating effects of cancer due to the use of hair straighteners, there may be legal options available to help you seek compensation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out for support and guidance during this difficult time.
Hair Relaxer Individual Lawsuit
In contrast to how class-action lawsuits involve multiple plaintiffs, individual cases are brought by one person seeking damages for the harm caused by the defendant. As there are relatively few class-action hair relaxer lawsuits, many veteran plaintiffs opt to file individual claims. Fortunately, numerous individuals have already achieved success in filing independent claims against hair straightener manufacturers. If you have been diagnosed with cancer after using chemical hair relaxers, it may be worth considering filing an individual lawsuit or joining an existing MDL.
The first wave of individual personal injury lawsuits against cosmetic companies was filed in October of 2022. Below is a chart detailing the number of cases filed as of the end of the year.
|
Case Number |
Court |
Products Used by Plaintiff |
Injuries |
|
3:22-cv-336 |
S.D. Ohio |
Dark & Lovely Optimum Just for Me |
Uterine Cancer |
|
1:22-cv-6033 |
N.D. Illinois |
Dark & Lovely Just for Me |
Uterine Cancer Breast Cancer |
|
N/A |
N.D. Illinois |
Dark & Lovely Just for Me Cantu Shea Butter |
Uterine Cancer |
|
1:22-cv-6113 |
N.D. Illinois |
Care Free Curl Optimum Dark & Lovely Motions |
Uterine Cancer |
|
1:22-cv-6560 |
N.D. Illinois |
ORS Olive Oil Motions Just for Me SoftSheen |
Uterine Fibroids Endometriosis |
|
4:22-cv-256 |
S.D. Georgia |
Just for Me Motions ORS Olive Oil |
Uterine Fibroids Endometriosis |
|
4:22-cv-257 |
S.D. Georgia |
Dark & Lovely Optimum Motions African Pride |
Uterine Fibroids |
|
1:22-cv-257 |
N.D. Illinois |
Dark & Lovely Motions ORS Olive Oil |
Uterine Cancer |
|
3:22-cv-6395 |
N.D. California |
Dark & Lovely Just for Me ORS Olive Oil |
Uterine Fibroids |
|
1:22-cv-9008 |
S.D. New York |
Motions Dark & Lovely Soft & Beautiful |
Uterine Cancer |
|
1:22-cv-5815 |
N.D. Illinois |
Motions ORS Olive Oil Dark & Lovely |
Uterine Cancer |
Blogs Related To This Lawsuit
Dark and Lovely Relaxer Legal Help for Women
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Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Statute of Limitations
If you have experienced adverse effects from a hair relaxer treatment, it’s crucial to know about the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit. This legal time limit determines the duration within which you must file your case, failing which you may not be eligible for compensation. The statute of limitations for hair relaxer lawsuits is typically between one and six years from the date of the injury, depending on each state. Therefore, it is essential that you act quickly upon receiving your diagnosis to ensure you act within the scope of your state’s statute of limitations. Our team is here to assist you in navigating this process and ensuring that you receive the justice you deserve.
|
State |
Hair Relaxer Statute of Limitations |
|
Alabama |
2 years |
|
Alaska |
2 years |
|
Arizona |
2 years |
|
Arkansas |
2 years |
|
California |
2 years |
|
Colorado |
2 years |
|
Connecticut |
2 years |
|
Delaware |
2 years |
|
District of Columbia (D.C.) |
3 years |
|
Florida |
4 years |
|
Georgia |
2 years |
|
Hawaii |
2 years |
|
Idaho |
2 years |
|
Illinois |
2 years |
|
Indiana |
2 years |
|
Iowa |
2 years |
|
Kansas |
2 years |
|
Kentucky |
1 year |
|
Louisiana |
1 year |
|
Maine |
6 years |
|
Maryland |
3 years |
|
Massachusetts |
3 years |
|
Michigan |
3 years |
|
Minnesota |
2 years |
|
Mississippi |
3 years |
|
Missouri |
5 years |
|
Montana |
3 years |
|
Nebraska |
4 years |
|
Nevada |
2 years |
|
New Hampshire |
3 years |
|
New Jersey |
2 years |
|
New Mexico |
3 years |
|
New York |
3 years |
|
North Carolina |
3 years |
|
North Dakota |
6 years (wrongful death is 2 years) |
|
Ohio |
2 years |
|
Oklahoma |
2 years |
|
Oregon |
2 years |
|
Pennsylvania |
2 years |
|
Rhode Island |
3 years |
|
South Carolina |
3 years |
|
South Dakota |
3 years |
|
Tennessee |
1 year |
|
Texas |
2 years |
|
Utah |
4 years |
|
Vermont |
3 years |
|
Virginia |
2 years |
|
Washington |
3 years |
|
Washington, D.C. |
3 years |
|
West Virginia |
2 years |
|
Wisconsin |
3 years |
|
Wyoming |
4 years |
Brands Involved in Hair
Relaxing Lawsuits
A recent study by the National Institute of Health found that women who use hair straighteners at least four times per year are twice as likely to develop uterine cancer, breast cancer, and hormone-related cancer compared to those who do not use them. As a result of this study, more women are coming forward and filing lawsuits against popular hair relaxer brands. These women claim that the companies did not properly warn consumers about the potential health risks associated with the chemicals in their hair straightening products. Due to the fact that hair relaxer lawsuits are relatively new, the outcomes of many major cases have not yet been determined.
Notable hair lawsuit brands include:
- African Pride – Godrej Consumer Goods
- Cantu Shea Butter – Parfums de Coeur, Ltd.
- Care Free Curl – Softsheen-Carson (Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of L’Oreal)
- Dark & Lovely – Softsheen-Carson (Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of L’Oreal)
- Just for Me – Strength of Nature Global, LLC
- Motions – Strength of Nature Global, LLC
- ORS Olive Oil – Namaste Laboratories, LLC
- Optimum – Softsheen-Carson (Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of L’Oreal)
- Soft & Beautiful – Strength of Nature Global, LLC
Many of these products fall under different names but belong to the same manufacturing brands. The manufacturers of these products are located in major cities like Chicago, Illinois, Savannah, Georgia, and Stamford, California.
Do I Qualify for Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
If you have used chemical hair straightening products or relaxers and have been diagnosed with endometriosis, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or uterine cancer, you may be eligible to file a hair relaxer lawsuit.
As a female veteran, it can be disheartening to be forced to change your appearance while serving your country, especially when it may be linked to serious medical conditions. We understand how difficult this can be, and we are here to help. Our team of experts is dedicated to connecting you with the best medical care available in the country and ensuring that you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve. No matter what you are going through, we are committed to providing you with the support and assistance you need to overcome any challenges you may face.
Works Cited
Douglas, D. (2022, December 12). Why some Black women won’t or can’t quit hair relaxers – even as the dangers become clearer. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/12/black-women-hair-relaxers-chemicals-cancer-risk
Peters, A. (2020, August 21). One Proposal for Improving Army Inclusivity for Women of Color: Update Hair Regulations. Retrieved from Military: https://www.military.com/daily-news/opinions/2020/08/21/one-proposal-improving-army-inclusivity-women-of-color-update-hair-regulations.html
J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2022 Feb 3. Published in final edited form as:J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2021 May; 31(3): 476–486. Published online 2021 May 6. doi: 10.1038/s41370-021-00335-3
PMCID: PMC8812815NIHMSID: NIHMS1696623PMID: 33958708