Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Updates

Court Enforces Compliance in Hair Relaxer MDL, Dismisses Non-Responsive Cases
Judge Mary Rowland has issued key rulings on defense motions to dismiss cases for non-compliance with Case Management Order No. 9. One case was dismissed with prejudice, while a group of others were dismissed without prejudice, allowing refiling by year-end if plaintiffs submit complete fact sheets and authorizations. Two plaintiffs must confirm compliance immediately to avoid dismissal with prejudice. Another case was dismissed with prejudice for repeated failure to prosecute. These actions streamline the docket by removing non-compliant claims, which ultimately strengthens the litigation's integrity and clarifies the viable case count for future settlement negotiations.
Court Orders Production of Withheld Emails in Namaste Litigation
Magistrate Judge Beth Jantz has ruled that Namaste must produce a previously withheld email chain, rejecting the company's claim of attorney-client privilege. After conducting an in-camera review, the court determined the communications primarily involved a third-party consultant and did not constitute protected legal advice. Namaste is required to provide the complete, unredacted version of the emails to the plaintiffs by September 22.
Court Establishes New Deadlines and Hearing Following Status Conferences
The court has issued a comprehensive order subsequent to status hearings held on September 4 and 8. This directive outlines new deadlines, instructions, and rulings, which include a potential extension to the oral discovery schedule. Parties are required to submit a joint update by September 24, detailing the progression of depositions and providing an updated chart of all scheduled or completed depositions. Additionally, an in-person hearing has been scheduled for October 9 before Judge Rowland to address further proceedings.
Hair Relaxer MDL Advances with Key Deadlines and Judicial Oversight
Judge Rowland is progressing the Hair Relaxer MDL with structured case management. Key expert disclosure deadlines have been set: plaintiffs must serve reports by December 1, 2025, with defendant reports due January 6, 2026, and plaintiff rebuttals by January 20, 2026. The court has prioritized scientific evidence, maintaining the January 8, 2026, Science Day and enforcing strict rebuttal report rules. To ensure momentum, the judge is requiring a joint deposition progress report by September 24 and will issue orders on administrative clean-up. The expert discovery cutoff is set for March 2, 2026, with Daubert briefs due April 1, 2026, firmly establishing the litigation timeline.
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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