Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Updates
Judge Denies Dismissal Motions in Hair Relaxer MDL
The MDL judge denied motions from John Paul Mitchell Systems, Wella, and Advanced Beauty to dismiss hair relaxer cancer lawsuits, keeping them in the litigation. Defendants argued the master complaint lacked specific allegations about their products. However, the judge ruled that master and short-form complaints function as a single operative complaint, requiring defendants to consider allegations in both.
Talks About a Settlement Are On The Horizon
Negotiations in the Hair Relaxer MDL are advancing as plaintiffs and defendants move closer to settlement discussions. While both sides want a resolution, plaintiffs resist the defendants’ push for a structured mediation process. Defendants argue that settlement talks require a detailed liability theory for each company’s role, proposing an exchange of case theories within 45 days of mediator selection. Despite procedural disputes, both sides aim to finalize a mediator by March 20, 2025. A key update is expected after the March 27, 2025, Case Management Conference. While a settlement remains uncertain, history suggests meaningful progress is unlikely until trial approaches.
Judge Sets Key Deadlines in Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
The judge overseeing the multidistrict lawsuit against hair relaxer manufacturers resolved disputes among attorneys regarding legal procedures. Specifically, the judge addressed timelines for deposing experts and witnesses related to hair relaxers and their potential cancer risks. The order established critical deadlines, including February due dates for arguments on deposition schedules and expert reports. This decision demonstrates the litigation’s steady progress. Individuals who developed specific cancers after using hair relaxers may still participate in this group lawsuit.
Bellwether Trial Plan and Key Directives
Judge Rowland has set a detailed schedule for the hair relaxer MDL, with trials unlikely before 2027. However, state court trials may proceed sooner, potentially pressuring defendants to settle. Key updates include an expanded bellwether trial pool, increasing from 16 to 40 cases, with up to 12 proceeding to trial. Eligible cases must involve uterine, endometrial, or ovarian cancer. Each side will select 20 cases by April 30, 2025, with no extensions. General causation discovery will continue alongside case-specific discovery, and settled cases may be replaced unilaterally by plaintiffs
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 represent 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. e
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
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