Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Updates
Hair Relaxer MDL Sees Minor Case Count Adjustment as Litigation Progresses
The Hair Relaxer MDL before Judge Mary Rowland now contains 10,282 pending cases—a slight decrease from June’s 10,317 filings. This interruption in the upward trend stems partly from attorneys filing cases preemptively to meet statutes of limitations, sometimes before securing full medical documentation. Subsequent vetting leads to voluntary dismissals or consolidations, causing minor fluctuations. New claims continue to emerge due to latency periods between chemical exposure and diagnoses of hormone-related cancers (e.g., uterine, ovarian), with many women now linking illnesses to long-term use of L’Oréal and other defendants’ products. As discovery proceeds, the MDL expects slower-paced new filings. Bellwether trials are projected for late 2026, with upcoming expert discovery and general causation challenges shaping the litigation’s trajectory.
Georgia Statute Challenge Threatens State Hair Relaxer Claims; Federal MDL Option Remains
Lawsuits alleging chemical hair relaxers caused uterine and breast cancers face a jurisdictional challenge in Georgia. The state's Supreme Court is considering whether Georgia's statute of repose – which generally requires filing lawsuits within 10 years of product exposure – bars these claims. Defendants argue the statute applies, while plaintiffs counter that the latency period for hormone-related cancers often exceeds a decade, making diagnosis within the 10-year window impossible. This challenge could prevent Georgia state court plaintiffs from proceeding against manufacturers. Importantly, women harmed by these products can still pursue claims by joining the ongoing federal multidistrict litigation (MDL), which remains unaffected by this state-specific statute issue.
Court Dismisses Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Against Walgreens Due to Insufficient Claims
The MDL judge dismissed the sole complaint against Walgreens in the hair relaxer litigation. The plaintiff alleged her sister died of uterine cancer after using relaxers bought at Walgreens, but Judge Mary M. Rowland found the complaint lacked specificity. It cited only a single 2010 purchase, omitted product warnings or representations, and failed to show Walgreens knew or should have known of cancer risks. The court ruled the claims were speculative, lacking a "meaningful connection" between Walgreens’s actions and the alleged harm. Warranty claims had no factual basis, and unjust enrichment claims did not prove inequitable conduct. Notably, MDL plaintiffs’ lawyers had already excluded Walgreens as a defendant.
Philadelphia Court Establishes Mass Tort Program for Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits
The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas has coordinated approximately 25 lawsuits into a consolidated mass tort program targeting chemical hair relaxer products. Administered by the court’s Complex Litigation Center, the program streamlines discovery and pretrial proceedings for claims alleging links to uterine, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. Philadelphia’s plaintiff-friendly venue—noted for high-profile cases like Paraquat and Roundup—is expected to attract additional filings. This state-level program complements ongoing coordinated proceedings in Georgia and New York, as well as the federal Hair Relaxer MDL (Northern District of Illinois), creating a multi-jurisdictional framework for litigating these claims.
About the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
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.
What is The Difference Between Class Action Lawsuits and Multi-District Litigation (MDL)?
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.
Why Are the Hair Relaxer Lawsuits Consolidated Into an MDL?
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.
How to Pre-Qualify for the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
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:
- Uterine Cancer
- Endometrial Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Uterine Fibroids
- & Other Pre-Qualifying Cancers
Hair Relaxer Products Linked:
- Dark & Lovely
- Just for Me
- Motions
- Africa's Best
- African Pride
- Bantu
- Creme of Nature
- Luster's
- Mizani Rhelaxer
- TCB or TCB Naturals
- Ultra Precise
- Ultra Sheen Supreme
- Elite Bristo
- Optimum
- Soft & Beautiful
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.
What Brands Are Being Investigated in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
Several manufacturers and their respective products are commonly implicated in the hair relaxer lawsuit, including:
- L’Oreal - manufacturer of Dark & Lovely, Ultra Sheen, and other chemical hair products
- Strength of Nature Global, LLC - manufacturer of Motions
- Namaste, LLC - manufacturer of ORS Olive Oil Hair Relaxer
- TCB Naturals/Godrej Consumer Products - manufacturer of Just For Me
What Are Your Next Steps?
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.
Join a Class Action Lawsuit
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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