Many women use hair relaxers routinely on their hair to smooth and straighten textured or curly hair. However, long-term use of chemical hair relaxer products could have life-altering consequences. Pending lawsuits allege that recent studies link chemical hair relaxers to an increased risk of cancer.
Have you been diagnosed with cancer after the long-term use of chemical hair relaxer products? The personal injury lawyers of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC can help you file a hair relaxer cancer lawsuit seeking compensation for damages if the hair relaxer contributed to your cancer diagnosis.
Contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation with our product liability lawyers to learn more about hair relaxer lawsuits. Your consultation is confidential, and your information remains private between you and our law firm.
How Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, Can Help You With a Hair Relaxer Injury Claim
The mass torts lawyers of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC have considerable experience handling complex consumer class action lawsuits. Our trusted lawyers have over 100 years of combined legal experience.
We have been lead counsel and co-counsel on complex litigation claims for nearly three decades. Since opening our law firm in 1996, our attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for our clients.
Our top-rated mass torts attorneys fight manufacturers, large corporations, and powerful defense firms to protect your right to fair compensation for injuries. We diligently pursue justice for injured victims and their families.
When you hire the award-winning attorneys at Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, our legal team:
- Investigates the cause of your injury and identifies each party responsible for the defective product
- Works with top-rated expert witnesses to gather evidence that strengthens your claim
- Researches scientific studies and expert opinions
- Reviews all available information from the manufacturer, independent sources, and government entities to determine the side effects and adverse reactions
- Analyzes the evidence to determine the legal claims we can pursue and develop a strategy for holding the responsible parties liable for your damages
- Provides sound legal advice, guidance, and support throughout the entire case
Our lawyers at Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC can help you file a hair relaxer lawsuit to hold the negligent manufacturer and other parties responsible for their actions. Call our law firm today to schedule a free case evaluation with a hair relaxer injury lawyer.
Why Do People Use Chemical Hair Relaxers?
Hair relaxer treatments are applied to the hair and left on the hair. The process straightens and smooths the hair. However, hair relaxers use harsh chemicals to achieve the desired results.
Many hair relaxers contain chemicals such as:
- Guanidine carbonate
- Calcium hydroxide
- Potassium thioglycolate
- Sodium hydroxide
- Ammonium thioglycolate
- Lithium hydroxide
The use of hair relaxer products can cause side effects, including skin burns and scalp irritation. Long-term use can weaken the hair and cause it to become brittle.
Some women experience hair loss after using products to straighten their hair. Other side effects include skin discoloration, contact dermatitis, headaches, dizziness, and respiratory issues.
Women who regularly used chemical hair relaxer products developed cancer in some cases. Exposure to the harsh chemicals in hair relaxer products can increase the risk of developing breast cancer, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and bladder cancer.
Furthermore, some hair relaxer products contain formaldehyde, which is a known human carcinogen. Exposure to high levels of formaldehyde can cause myeloid leukemia and other cancers, including cancer of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx.
Are Chemical Hair Straighteners the Same as Chemical Hair Relaxers?
Some people use the terms interchangeably. Even though the products produce similar results, they work differently to smooth and straighten hair.
Chemical hair relaxers break down the protein bonds in the hair. As a result, the natural curl pattern is altered permanently. You must reapply the hair relaxer when new growth appears to alter the new hair permanently.
However, chemical hair straighteners use collagen or keratin to smooth wavy or curly hair temporarily. The effect wears off over time as the coating breaks down. Extended use can cause hair breakage, dryness, and fizziness.
Hair Relaxers Linked to Cancer Diagnosis
Hair relaxers could be linked to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer. Chemical relaxers contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including phthalates. Researchers discovered that prolonged exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals could increase the risk of uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.
An NIH study found that women who used hair straighteners were at a higher risk of being diagnosed with uterine cancer than women who did not use the products. Researchers discovered women who reported frequent use of chemical hair relaxer products were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer. Black women may have a higher risk because of a higher prevalence of use.
The study was consistent with prior studies. Prior studies linked the use of hair straighteners to an increased risk of hormone-related cancers in women.
Class Action Lawsuit for Hair Relaxer Uterine Cancer
Numerous lawsuits have been filed alleging chemical hair straighteners led to a diagnosis of uterine cancer. Currently, the cases have not been consolidated into a class action lawsuit. A class action lawsuit has not been filed in federal court.
However, there is a pending Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) for hair relaxer lawsuits filed in federal courts. The MDL is being administered by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
An MDL is not a class action lawsuit. Instead, each hair relaxer lawsuit is tried individually. The cases are only combined during discovery and pre-trial motions to expedite the process for all parties.
The hair relaxer MDL contains over 60 product liability lawsuits and consumer protection lawsuits. The number of hair relaxer cancer lawsuits is expected to increase. Since the beginning of February, nearly a dozen new product liability lawsuits for hair relaxer cancer have been filed in federal courts.
Hair relaxer cancer lawsuits allege several causes of action. A common allegation is that the manufacturers failed to warn consumers about the potential risks of prolonged use of products to straighten hair. They knew about the risk but marketed the products as safe to use.
If you were diagnosed with cancer after prolonged use of chemical hair relaxers, you could be entitled to compensation for damages. Our hair relaxer lawsuit attorneys evaluate your case to determine the best legal avenue for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
What Damages Could I Receive for a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
Individuals who have been injured because of hair relaxers and chemical hair straighteners can file a hair relaxer lawsuit seeking compensation for damages. The types of damages depend on the facts of the case. Likewise, the potential settlement value of hair relaxer lawsuits depends on many factors.
Potential damages for a hair relaxer lawsuit include economic damages for monetary losses and expenses victims incurred. Damages also include compensation for the pain and suffering victims experienced and other non-economic damages.
Examples of damages for a hair relaxer injury claim include:
- Medical bills
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Impairments and disabilities
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
- Diminished earning capacity
If a loved one dies because of exposure to chemical hair relaxer products, the family might receive compensation for a wrongful death claim. Our uterine cancer hair relaxer lawyers handle all aspects of your claim, including calculating how much your claim is worth.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit?
Yes, there are important deadlines to keep in mind for filing claims and lawsuits. The statute of limitations for product liability lawsuits is set by state law. If you miss the filing deadline, you cannot seek compensation for the pain and suffering caused by exposure to chemical hair straighteners.
The time limit to file hair relaxer lawsuits could be two to six years, depending on your state’s laws. However, the important question is when the statute of limitations begins in your case.
Some states have a discovery rule that starts the statute of limitations when the person knew or should have reasonably known about the injury. Even so, many states limit the time to file a claim to a specific number of years so that you do not have unlimited time to file a lawsuit.
In most situations, it is not too late to file a hair relaxer lawsuit. However, time is critical.
The best way to protect your right to fair compensation is to seek legal advice as soon as you suspect using hair relaxers has caused you to develop cancer or other severe medical conditions. An experienced product liability lawyer evaluates your claim and advises you of your legal options during a free consultation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Hair Relaxer Injury Lawyers
Were you diagnosed with cancer or other medical conditions after exposure to the chemicals in hair relaxers? If so, hire a personal injury law firm specializing in these types of claims. Contact Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with experienced product liability lawyers.