Hair Relaxers Case Evaluation

Hair Relaxers and Cancer

Hair relaxers are common products that are generally used by women to make hair more manageable or to straighten hair.

Unfortunately, studies have shown a corralation between hair relaxer use and certain types of cancer. For example, a 2022 study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) provided evidence of these correlations. Called the Sister Study, it showed that use of hair relaxers was linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. It also showed that frequent users of hair relaxers were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer as users who did not use these products at all.

Hair relaxers use chemicals that vary by brand and product. Some include harmful chemicals to break down the protein structure of hair, therefore making it easier to manage. Some of the most common dangerous chemicals in hair relaxers are:

• Cyclosiloxanes: Some cyclosiloxanes may be carcinogenic to female reproductive organs in animals but may or may not be in humans.
• Diethanolamine (DEA): DEA is carcinogenic to animals and possibly in humans. DEA may be present in as many as half of all hair relaxers.
• Formaldehyde: This chemical is used to make or preserve various products and has been found in some hair relaxer products.
• Parabens: These chemicals have been linked to cancer in laboratory studies. They are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that can be a risk factor for multiple health issues.
• Phthalates: Exposure to some phthalates has been linked to cancer and hormone disruption in humans. Two of these chemicals, DEP and DEHP, have been found in hair relaxers.

There are a variety of companies and brands that produce and sell chemical hair relaxers or straighteners.

The Gori Law Firm Mass Torts Team

At The Gori Law Firm, we have over 35 attorneys across 8 offices who have the complex litigation knowledge that is necessary to pursue your case. With a national reputation for excellence, you can rest assured that your case will be handled professionally, efficiently and effectively. With two locations in the St. Louis area, and several others throughout the U.S., our law firm handles cases nationwide.

Our lawyers are particularly compassionate and supportive to our clients throughout the process. As seasoned personal injury attorneys with a nationwide reputation, we have more than 20 years of experience in handling complex lawsuits and will use our knowledge for your case. The Gori Law Firm has obtained more than $3 billion in settlements for previous clients.

To best serve you, it is important to share with us certain information that will help us preliminarily evaluate your potential case by filling out the form at the top of the page. This information that you provide will be personally reviewed by the head of the mass torts group Attorney Beth Gori-Gregory to determine if our firm may be able to assist you with your case.

Attorney Beth Gori-Gregory is the leader of the Gori Law Firm mass torts group. Ms. Gori-Gregory is a member of the American Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association, Missouri Bar Association, National Trial Lawyers, American Association for Justice, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, National Asbestos Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers, and the Madison County Bar Association.

Honors and awards include recognition by Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and Lawyers of Distinction – Personal Injury. In 2022, Attorney Gori-Gregory served as a panelist on the topic of Ethical Challenges with Mass Torts at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference.

Major Hair Relaxer Companies and Products

Some companies and brands have already been named in lawsuits involving cancers linked to hair relaxer use. The chart below provides more details.

Holding Irresponsible Cosmetics Manufacturers Responsible

As a cosmetic product user, you put your trust in the companies that design and manufacture these products, including hair relaxers. At the expense of customer safety, companies like L'Oréal, Revlon, AFAM Concept, Avalon Industries, Beauty Bell Enterprises, Dabur International, and Strength of Nature have manufactured and sold dangerous chemical hair relaxers and now face mounting lawsuits. While this is a new area of personal injury law, lawsuits are being filed, and we want to hear your story.

Current Hair Relaxer Lawsuits

The first hair relaxer lawsuit was filed in October 2022. It named many prominent hair relaxer companies, such as L'Oréal and Revlon, and it came soon after the release of the Sister Study. Hair relaxer lawsuits have continued to be filed ever since.

Currently, federal hair relaxer lawsuits are condensed into multidistrict legislation (MDL) for pretrial matters. This makes it easier for the courts, lawyers and victims to finish pretrial matters fast. The cases are then uncombined for individual trials seeking compensation for diseases developed because of repeated hair relaxer use.

Hair Relaxer Class Action Lawsuits

Class action lawsuits are different from MDL, or individual, lawsuits. They are filed by plaintiffs representing a larger group of parties with similar complaints.

A class action lawsuit that was filed in November 2022 is unrelated to the MDL lawsuits being filed specifically for cancer victims. This class action suit seeks reimbursement for purchasers of certain chemical hair relaxers. The plaintiffs claim the consumers would not have purchased the products had they known the potential dangers.

Hair Relaxer Lawsuits: How to File

If you or a loved one used hair relaxers frequently and were subsequently diagnosed with ovarian or uterine cancer, you should consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to see if you are eligible to file a hair relaxer lawsuit. In many cases, our clients do not know exactly which products were used that caused their cancer. This information can be easily found for you by our team through a free case evaluation. Whether you live in Madison County, Illinois, the St. Louis area, or anywhere in the U.S., we can help. In fact, we have a national reputation for excellence, experienced attorneys, and personal service, all on a contingent fee basis, which means that we only collect fees if we recover damages for you.

Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Compensation: How Much Will I Receive?

Lawsuits against hair relaxer manufacturers are new and therefore there are few precedents set for these cases at this time. However, it is important to keep in mind that compensatory damages awarded in hair relaxer lawsuits will vary by an individual's case and will take into consideration such factors as:

• A plaintiff’s overall medical expenditures
• Total income lost due to an inability to work (past and future)
• The extent of pain and suffering resultant of ovarian or uterine cancer related to the use of hair relaxers

What Is the Cost to File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

The Gori Law Firm offers a free hair relaxer case evaluation. Once we accept your case, there are no fees to you unless we win your case. This is called a contingency fee. Your fee will be discussed upfront and is competitive with rates you will see from other lawyers.

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