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The Hair Relaxer Lawsuit has been filed in all 50 states. You may qualify for compensation if you have been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, Uterine Cancer, or Endometrial Cancer.
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In a May 8 ruling, Judge Rowland dismissed L'Oréal SA (the French parent company) from the Hair Relaxer MDL, determining the court lacked personal jurisdiction. Plaintiffs had argued L'Oréal SA controlled its U.S. subsidiary or knowingly placed products into U.S. commerce, but the court found no evidence the parent company manufactured, sold, or directed hair relaxer operations in America. The decision does not affect claims against L'Oréal USA and other U.S. defendants, which remain financially capable of resolving litigation. The MDL's core product liability claims proceed unchanged.
Despite ongoing filings and outside speculation, a global settlement in the Hair Relaxer MDL is not imminent. The litigation remains in the discovery phase, with the first bellwether trial scheduled for November 3, 2025, and a second for February 2, 2026. Discovery efforts focus on corporate documents and expert testimony, with plaintiffs’ claims centered on uterine, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. No clear internal admissions have surfaced, but discovery reveals a lack of corporate attention to potential health risks. Settlement discussions are unlikely to advance until after Daubert rulings later this year or early next year.
A new dispute in the Hair Relaxer MDL focuses on the role of Defendant Fact Sheets during bellwether discovery. Plaintiffs argue the process has become redundant and inefficient, advocating for a shift to more targeted, case-specific discovery. Defendants seek to limit fact sheet use to the 32 selected bellwether plaintiffs and restrict broader inquiries, particularly those touching on expert matters or previously closed discovery. The Court must now determine whether discovery will advance substantive fact-finding or become mired in procedural limitations.
In MDL 3060, attention has shifted to a second wave of defendants, including John Paul Mitchell Systems, Advanced Beauty, RNA Corporation, and Wella. These companies were added after initial filings by women alleging chemical hair straighteners caused uterine and ovarian cancer. Since February, plaintiffs have served over 120 discovery requests focused on cancer risk knowledge, marketing, and safety oversight. Key deadlines extend through September 2025. Some defendants, like Dudley Beauty and Roux Laboratories, have attempted to delay discovery, but proceedings are moving forward as efforts to hold these companies accountable continue.
Hair relaxer lawsuits have been brought by thousands of claimants. Studies have shown a relationship between chemical hair relaxers and cancer. These cancers include ovarian, uterine, and breast cancers. Scientific research suggests that chemicals in hair relaxers may be a contributing factor to uterine fibroids and uterine cancer. According to these studies, women who use certain hair relaxers are more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer.
Many big-name companies, such as L’Oreal, are being sued due to the potential harm their products have caused to many women. The Hair Relaxer lawsuit alleges that hair relaxer products contain chemicals that may cause uterine cancer. Hair relaxer products are predominately used by African-American women.
Hair relaxer products contain harmful chemicals known as phthalates, also known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which may cause issues with natural hormone production. These chemicals may enter the body when used on the scalp and can alter hormone levels. Using these products may lead to many health issues, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids and different cancer types. The chemical can also harm the immune system and cause ovarian cancer.
Class action lawsuits and multi-district litigation (MDL) are both legal mechanisms used to handle a large number of lawsuits that share common issues, but they operate differently.
In a class action lawsuit, a small group of plaintiffs represents a larger group against a defendant. This method is efficient when individual lawsuits would be impractical due to the large number of plaintiffs. The outcome of a class action lawsuit, whether it's a court decision or a settlement, applies to all members.
On the other hand, MDL consolidate individual but related civil cases from different federal districts into a single district for pretrial proceedings. This process is often used in complex cases like product liability suits. In MDLs, like the hair relaxer lawsuit, each plaintiff retains their individual lawsuit, and outcomes or settlements are handled individually even though the pretrial process is combined.
The hair relaxer lawsuit is considered an MDL because the varied injuries, potential contributing factors, and unique medical histories of each plaintiff necessitate a more flexible approach. This allows for individualized assessments of damages, liability arguments based on specific cases, and tailored discovery while still achieving efficiency through shared pre-trial procedures.
To pre-qualify for the hair relaxer lawsuit, individuals must meet specific criteria related to the use of certain hair relaxer products and the subsequent development of certain cancers:
Pre-Qualifying Injuries:
Hair Relaxer Products Linked:
We encourage you to seek legal advice to determine your eligibility. Various factors impact eligibility and all cases are unique.
While you will need to speak to an attorney to determine eligibility, claimants must typically provide concrete evidence of their use of one or more of the specified hair relaxer products. This documentation can include purchase receipts, photographs, or testimonies that clearly demonstrate a history of using these products.
Additionally, claimants must typically have a medically confirmed diagnosis of one of the specified cancers: Uterine Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, or Ovarian Cancer. Medical records, such as diagnostic reports, treatment records, and statements from healthcare professionals, are crucial in substantiating this aspect of the process.
The combination of proof of product usage and a relevant medical diagnosis forms the cornerstone of establishing a direct link required for potential eligibility in the hair relaxer lawsuit.
Several manufacturers and their respective products are commonly implicated in the hair relaxer lawsuit, including:
If you or a loved one has been affected by Hair Relaxers or other products, now is the time to take action. Thousands of women are seeking justice for the harm they’ve suffered, and you may be entitled to compensation.
Joining a class action lawsuit is about more than obtaining a settlement. It’s also about holding these companies accountable for the products they sell.
The potential dangers of Hair Relaxers have left many individuals feeling betrayed and uncertain about their future and health.
If you’ve used Hair Relaxers and are now facing health issues, you’re not alone. Class action lawsuits offer a way to seek justice and compensation for the suffering and associated risks of using Hair Relaxers.
Don’t wait. Consult with your doctor, explore your legal options, and take steps to protect your rights. We encourage you to start the process of finding out if you may qualify for a Hair Relaxer class action lawsuit. We can help you stay informed and provide you with the latest updates regarding the lawsuit. Subscribe to OnlyClassActions for further details.
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