If you used a chemical hair relaxer or hair straightening product and later developed uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or other serious health conditions, you may be entitled to compensation through the ongoing hair relaxer lawsuits.
Many popular relaxers and chemical straighteners have been reported to contain formaldehyde, phthalates, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that can be absorbed through the scalp and potentially interfere with hormone function over time.
In 2022, a large National Institutes of Health–backed study found that women who frequently used chemical hair straighteners had more than double the risk of uterine cancer compared to non-users, helping fuel a wave of hair relaxer cancer lawsuits across the U.S.
As awareness grows, thousands of women, particularly Black women, who have been heavily targeted by marketing for these products, are joining the hair relaxer and hair straightener lawsuits to seek justice and compensation for the harm they allege these products caused.
Which Products and Manufacturers Are Involved in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
Investigations have revealed that hair relaxers contain harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde, phthalates, and other endocrine disruptors, which can be absorbed through the scalp during use. Despite being marketed for safe use, these products have been associated with significant health risks, prompting legal action from affected consumers.
Several chemical hair relaxer products and their manufacturers are involved in the ongoing lawsuits. These products have consumers curious to know which hair relaxers cause cancer, specifically uterine and ovarian, or any other severe health conditions. The key manufacturers named in the hair relaxer lawsuit include:
- L'Oréal USA: Makers of popular hair relaxer brands such as Dark & Lovely, SoftSheen-Carson, and Optimum.
- Strength of Nature Global, LLC: Known for brands like Just for Me, Motions, and African Pride.
- Namaste Laboratories, LLC: Produces the ORS (Organic Root Stimulator) Olive Oil Hair Relaxer.
- Dabur International: Parent company of Namaste Laboratories, involved in the production of hair relaxer products.
The suits claim these companies knew or should have known about the potential cancer risks but failed to provide adequate warnings, despite aggressively marketing these products as safe and suitable for long-term use, especially to women of color.
How to Know if You Qualify for the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
If you have used a chemical hair relaxer or hair straightening product and later developed a serious health condition, you may be eligible to join the hair relaxer lawsuit or related hair straightener lawsuits.
Common health conditions alleged in the litigation include (but are not limited to):
- Uterine cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Breast cancer
- Fibroids
Because many of these conditions have a strong hormonal component, plaintiffs and researchers point to endocrine-disrupting ingredients in relaxers as a potential contributing factor.
You may also be considered for inclusion in the lawsuit if you’ve experienced symptoms suggesting hormone disruption or endocrine-related illness after long-term use of relaxers, such as:
- Irregular or unusually heavy menstrual bleeding
- Chronic pelvic pain or diagnosed fibroids
- Fertility issues or other hormone-related conditions
Evidence matters. While each case is unique, most hair relaxer lawsuit attorneys will typically look for:
- A documented history of using one or more of the named relaxer or chemical straightener brands (receipts, photos, product history, or consistent testimony)
- A medically confirmed diagnosis of a qualifying cancer or serious reproductive health condition
- A timeline showing regular product use before diagnosis
If you or a loved one has experienced these conditions after using chemical relaxers, it’s important to speak with an attorney experienced in hair relaxer and hair straightener lawsuits to understand your specific eligibility and potential claim value.
Why Are the Hair Relaxer Lawsuits Consolidated into an MDL?
The federal hair relaxer litigation has been combined into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of Illinois:
In re: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3060.
Here’s why that matters:
- Not a single class action: In an MDL, each plaintiff keeps their own individual lawsuit, but pre-trial steps, like discovery and initial motions, are coordinated before one judge.
- More efficient, more focused: Because tens of thousands of women may have similar claims, an MDL helps avoid repetitive work, reduces inconsistent rulings, and lets both sides test key issues through bellwether trials.
- Individual outcomes: Unlike a traditional class action, settlement amounts and outcomes are not “one-size-fits-all.” Each case can still be evaluated on its own medical evidence, damages, and history of product use.
This MDL structure reflects the complexity of hair relaxer lawsuit claims, where injuries, usage patterns, and medical histories can differ significantly from one person to another.
Helping Clients Seek Favorable Outcomes in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
These hair relaxer lawsuits allege that these manufacturers failed to warn consumers about the potential risks associated with the chemicals used in their products, such as phthalates and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which have been linked to increased cancer risks. As scientific evidence continues to emerge correlating hair relaxers and cancer, more individuals are joining the hair relaxer lawsuit to seek justice and compensation for the health issues they have endured due to the use of these products. If you have used these products and experienced related health problems, you may be entitled to compensation and take legal action against these manufacturers.
If you or a loved one has suffered health issues due to the use of chemical hair relaxer products, it's important to seek justice and compensation. We take pride in providing comprehensive information for individuals seeking guidance regarding the Hair Relaxer lawsuit. Get in touch with us now to explore your options, and we will connect you with an attorney within our network.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A class action is a kind of lawsuit in which one or more parties file a claim on behalf of a larger group of people collectively referred to as the class. When the complaints or losses are shared by the entire class and it would be impractical to file dozens or hundreds of separate lawsuits, this legal action is taken.
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