If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or other uterine conditions after using chemical hair relaxers, you may be entitled to compensation by filing a hair straighteners lawsuit.
Hair care products can have serious side effects and injuries. The National Institute of Health (NIH) found that women who used chemical hair straightener or hair relaxer treatments were at an increased risk for developing cancer.
What is this hair straightener investigation about?
The connection between hair straightening chemicals and uterine cancer was first discovered in 2012. Since then additional studies on the consequences of hair straightener products have been conducted, strengthening the original findings on the impact of chemical hair relaxers and products.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (“NIEHS”) released a study on October 17, 2022, which found that women who used chemical hair straightening products are at a higher risk for developing uterine cancer than those who have never used the products. The NIEHS study observed 33,497 U.S. women ages 35-74 over a period of nearly eleven years as part of its Sister Study, which was a long-term study designed to follow sisters of breast cancer patients. According to the study, the rates of uterine cancer among women who used hair straightening products at least four times a year were more than double when compared to those of women who never used hair straightening products. The study found that while 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners developed uterine cancer by the age of 70, women who used hair straightening products for at least four (4) times a year reported suffering from uterine cancer at a rate of 4.05%. [1] The findings were particularly disproportionate for Black women, since they use hair straightening products at a higher rate than others.
The study concluded that certain chemicals used in the hair straightening products, including parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde likely contributed to an increased incident of uterine cancer rates. [2] These chemicals, known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (“EDCs”), alter hormonal actions and promote growth of cancer cells. [3]
After these hair straightener findings were published, people have started suing hair-straightening manufacturers for the damages and injuries they have incurred from using the chemical products.
Who are we representing in hair straightening lawsuits?
Our attorneys are representing individuals who used chemical hair straightening products, also known as hair relaxers, and who subsequently developed uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and/or endometriosis resulting in a hysterectomy. Our attorneys can help you file your hair straightener cancer lawsuit.
How long does a person need to have used hair straighteners/relaxer products to be at risk?
Studies have suggested that the use of hair straighteners and/or relaxers at least four times a year has been associated with increased risk of cancer. If you suspect that you have developed cancer or other injuries from your hair products, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. Talk to one of our attorneys to see if you have a strong enough hair straightener case.
TIMELINE FOR A HAIR STRAIGHTENER LAWSUIT
Oct 22, 2022: First lawsuit Filed against hair straightener manufacturer by cancer victim
Oct 17, 2022: New study shows that hair straighteners may increase uterine cancer risks by 2.5 times.
2019: Doctors link chemical straighteners to increased breast cancer risk
2012: Studies first link chemical hair straighteners with uterine cancer risk
1909: Garrett Augustus Morgan invents the 1st chemical hair relaxer
How Do Hair Straighteners Cause Cancer?
Chemical hair straighteners aren’t entirely safe. Hair straighteners can cause serious risk and damage like scalp burn or hair loss, and more recently, studies have shown that the products can cause certain types of cancers. This is due to the presence of chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA), formaldehyde, parabens, and metals. Though, according to the FDA, these typically pose little to no risk, the results of the study by the NIEHS raise concerns about chemical straightener’s safety when applied frequently to sensitive and high-risk areas of the body, like the scalp.
Types of Cancers Linked With Hair Straightening Chemical
Researchers are studying the following types of cancers to determine if their heightened occurrence in women could be caused by the frequent use of chemical hair straighteners and hair relaxer products:
Uterine Cancer Risk
Uterine cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the uterus. Uterine cancer occurs in around 65,000 women in the U.S. each year, with more than 90% of those cases manifesting as endometrial cancer, in which the cancer cells form in the uterus lining.
The NIEHS study states that uterine cancer is the most common type of cancer associated with chemical hair straightener use among women.
Breast Cancer Risk
A study published by Oxford University concluded that black women who used lye-based hair relaxers at least seven times over fifteen years had a higher risk of developing breast cancer—30% more than those women who used the same products less frequently. The study showed that between 1997 and 2017, around 2,311 African-American women (out of a study of 50,000) who used lye-based hair relaxer prodcuts developed breast cancers.
Uterine Fibroids
Women, particularly African-American females, see two to three times higher uterine fibroid incidences after the use of chemical hair relaxers. The occurrence of uterine leiomyomata is also two to three times higher in black women versus white women, assuming that black women the former uses chemical hair straightening products more frequently.
Which Companies Are Involved in Hair Straighter Lawsuits?
Many popular hair straightener brands have been implicated in hair straightener lawsuits. These hair straightener companies include:
- L’Oreal
- Just for Me
- Dark and Lovely
- Optimum
- Soft and Beautiful
- TCB Naturals
- Motions
- Namaste
If you’ve used any of these hair straighteners and been diagnosed with cancer, you may have a valid legal claim against the company that manufactured these hair straighteners.
Keep in mind that this list isn’t exhaustive. If you have used a different chemical hair straightener not listed here and were diagnosed with cancer, you may still have a valid lawsuit claim. Be sure to speak with a lawyer from Strom Law if you have any questions about your legal rights and options for your injuries.
How to File a Hair Straightener Lawsuit to Receive Compensation for Injuries
There are a few important steps involved in filing a hair straightener lawsuit.
First, you’ll need to acquire legal representation from an experienced product liability lawyer. It’s important to find a lawyer who has experience in cases involving hair products and cancer–they can help you assess your situation and determine if you have a valid legal claim and sufficient injuries for a lawsuit.
Then, you and your lawyer will need to gather evidence and documentation that shows the connection between your cancer diagnosis and the hair straightener product you used. Evidence of your diagnosis could include medical records, hair product labels, and any other information that may be relevant to the lawsuit; this evidence can also help your lawyer evaluate the strength of your hair straightener case and determine what kind of injury compensation you may be entitled to.
At this point, it might be a good idea for you and your lawyer to look out for other victims of the same hair straightener who may have filed similar lawsuits. Joining forces with other individuals seeking injury compensation can strengthen your hair straightener case and increase the chances of a successful outcome.
Finally, you’ll need to submit your chemical hair straightener lawsuit and follow the legal proceedings until a settlement is reached or a verdict is given. Your lawyer can help guide you through this process and make sure that your rights are protected throughout the lawsuit. It’s important to remember that the legal process can be lengthy, so it’s crucial to stay patient and keep in touch with your lawyer throughout the proceedings of your hair straightener case.
What Is the Expected Damage Compensation for a Hair Straightener Lawsuit?
This is a difficult question to answer because the outcome of any lawsuit is ultimately determined by the court and depends on the strength of your hair straightener case and the injuries you sustained.
In general, compensation for a chemical hair straightener lawsuit may include reimbursement of medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages due to missed work, and punitive damages. The amount will ultimately depend on the specifics of your injuries and the judge or jury’s opinion.
It’s important to remember, though, that filing a hair straightener lawsuit can have several positive effects. Not only can the lawsuit provide financial compensation, but it can also draw attention to the issue and raise awareness about the potential dangers of using certain hair straightening products.
