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Hair Relaxers Lawsuit
HAIR RELAXERS LAWSUIT
This content has been written by a team of legal writers and reviewed by Terry Crouppen
Hair relaxers, also known as hair straighteners, are products that are used to chemically straighten curly or wavy hair. They work by breaking down the bonds in the hair shaft, which allows the hair to be reshaped into a straight texture. While hair relaxers can be a useful tool for those who want to achieve a straight hairstyle, they have also been linked to health risks and legal allegations.
If you or a loved one has used hair relaxers, straighteners, Brazilian Blowouts, or Keratin products, either on yourself or others, and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, or severe fibroids, you may be eligible to recover compensation. Get started with your case by calling 1-888-520-7077 or request a free case evaluation online.
Defendants have been engaged in litigation before for their use of hair products. In recent years, there have been several hair relaxer lawsuits filed by individuals who claim to have suffered adverse effects from using these products. Some of the most common allegations in these lawsuits include hair loss, scalp irritation, and chemical burns.
One of the most high-profile hair relaxer lawsuits was a class action lawsuit filed against Johnson & Johnson claiming that some of the company’s hair products cause hair loss, scalp irritation, and chemical burns. The case was eventually settled out of court, with Johnson & Johnson agreeing to pay a confidential settlement to the plaintiffs. Other hair relaxer lawsuits have been filed against companies such as L’Oréal and Procter & Gamble. These cases have generally involved similar allegations of hair loss, scalp irritation, and chemical burns.
THE HAZARDS OF FORMALDEHYDE FOUND IN HAIR RELAXERS
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas which can disrupt the endocrine system and increase the risk of hormone-sensitive diseases. It is present in many hair straighteners or relaxers marketed for salon professionals and home users.
When these products are heated, formaldehyde releases into the air where it can be inhaled by the users and anybody else nearby. Although manufacturers can opt to list every ingredient in their cosmetics, no law requires it. Even brands claiming to be “formaldehyde-free” often contain formalin or methylene glycol, which release formaldehyde when heated.
Classified as a known human carcinogen in 2011, formaldehyde has been linked to a number of reproductive cancers and complications. Despite this, many companies have failed to warn consumers of the health risks.
Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled Personal Injury Lawyers today.
BLACK WOMEN & SALON WORKERS ARE MOST AT RISK.
Anybody who regularly uses hair straightener products over an extended period of time is at risk.
However, the vast majority of hair relaxers are marketed to and used by Black women. Although a study by the National Institute of Health (NIH) claims that researchers “did not find that the relationship between straightener use and uterine cancer incidence was different by race, the adverse health effects may be greater for Black women due to higher prevalence of use.” Further studies from Oxford University found that frequent and long-term use of lye-based relaxers could have serious health effects, including links to breast cancer.
GET STARTED WITH YOUR HAIR RELAXER CASE
The product liability lawyers at Brown & Crouppen are investigating possible claims for anybody who:
- Used hair relaxers at least four times a year for two consecutive years, whether on themselves or on others,. and
- Within five years of last use, was diagnosed with one or more of the following:
- Endometrial cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Uterine sarcoma
- Uterine fibroids which resulted in:
- Hysterectomy (partial or total)
- Myomectomy
- Fibroidectomy
If you believe you were injured because of using hair relaxers, straighteners, Brazilian Blowouts, or Keratin products, reach out to Brown & Crouppen at 1-888-520-7077 for your free legal consultation or save time with our online case evaluation form.
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- Last Modified:
- May 9, 2023
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