The Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Law Firm is a dedicated team of legal professionals committed to fighting for the rights of individuals who have suffered adverse health conditions, including uterine cancer, from using harmful hair relaxer products.
Hundreds of women have decided to take part in the growing multidistrict litigation against manufacturers of hair relaxers and chemical straightening products.
If doctors diagnosed you or a loved one with uterine cancer, uterine fibroids requiring surgery, or another malignant reproductive health issue following the use of a hair relaxer product, we’re here to help you. Our hair relaxer mass tort attorneys are prepared to stand by you and assist in helping you pursue compensation through a multidistrict litigation hair relaxer lawsuit.
People have used hair relaxers for nearly a century to straighten curly or textured natural hair. However, researchers have linked hair relaxers to an array of severe health concerns. From scalp burns to alopecia, these products cause substantial harm. However, by far, the most concerning consequence of these cosmetic treatments is uterine cancer.
A 10-Year Study Links Hair Relaxers to Uterine Cancer
A pivotal study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has notably affected the ongoing multidistrict litigation against hair relaxer manufacturers. This research investigated the association between hair relaxer use and the risk of developing uterine cancer (frequently, endometrial cancer), a serious health condition that can cause painful symptoms, including infertility and the possibility it may spread to other tissues and organs.
The results of this comprehensive study added substantial weight to the claims made by plaintiffs in hair relaxer lawsuits. The research found a statistically significant association between the long-term use of hair relaxer products and an increased risk of uterine cancer. Researchers drew this conclusion after controlling for age, race, body mass index, and use of hormonal contraceptives.
Hair Relaxer Mass Tort Lawsuits: How a Multidistrict Litigation Seeks Justice
The numerous hair relaxer lawsuits brought forth by individuals across the country were recently consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) under the supervision of the Honorable U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland. Her role includes managing the discovery process, ruling on key legal questions, and overseeing any settlement negotiations.
Meanwhile, as of May 2023, claimants who wish to file may do so directly through a complaint form rather than a local federal court.
In an MDL, the courts consolidate lawsuits with common questions to expedite the legal process and avoid duplicative discovery. This also ensures consistency in court rulings.
In these complaints, manufacturers of such products stand accused of neglecting to inform consumers about the risks of their products. Plaintiffs claim that these companies prioritized profits over the health and well-being of their customers, leading to the lifelong conditions and complications that now affect countless women across the nation.
In addition, claimants in these lawsuits maintain that these cosmetics companies targeted African American women specifically, who are disproportionately affected by the health issues associated with these products due to their disproportionately higher use.
At Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Law Firm, we firmly believe in holding these corporations accountable. We can fight against large corporations to safeguard your rights and help you secure your and your family’s future. We remain up to date on the developments in this multidistrict litigation as we represent injured claimants and help them seek the justice, fair treatment, and compensation they deserve.
Other Conditions Linked to Hair Relaxer Use
Many hair relaxer chemicals and chemical straightening products disrupt endocrine, meaning they interfere with the body’s normal hormonal processes. As such, some of the most serious consequences of hair relaxing products include cancers and conditions affecting the reproductive system.
In addition to the growing correlation between hair relaxers and uterine cancer, these products may cause other serious health conditions, such as uterine fibroids and breast cancer.
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found a significant association between hair relaxer use and uterine fibroid development, particularly in women who began using these products at a young age.
Research has indicated a link between the use of hair relaxers and an increased risk of breast cancer, with African American women again disproportionately affected. These associations further highlight the health risks posed by these products, strengthening the case against hair relaxer manufacturers and amplifying the call for justice for those affected.
Symptoms of Uterine Cancer
Uterine cancer often goes undetected in the early stages, as it may not cause specific symptoms.
As the cancer progresses, however, women may experience:
Menstrual irregularities
Pain during intercourse
Pain in the pelvic area
A mass in the pelvic area
Unexplained weight loss
Uterine cancer patients may receive chemotherapy and undergo surgery to remove the affected tissue. In many cases, this involves removing the uterus (hysterectomy), along with the fallopian tubes and ovaries. These surgeries render the patient infertile and may lead to further hormonal irregularities.
If you used hair relaxer products and experience any of these symptoms, consult a healthcare provider immediately, then call our hair relaxer mass tort lawyers.
The Financial Impact of Uterine Cancer Treatment
The diagnosis and treatment of uterine cancer can have a profound financial impact on patients and their families. Expensive procedures associated with the disease can include diagnostic tests, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, follow-up care, and palliative care.
Moreover, these direct medical costs are just the tip of the iceberg for longterm sufferers of uterine cancer and other serious reproductive health conditions. Patients often face indirect costs such as lost income due to time off work for treatment and recovery, travel expenses for medical appointments, and out-of-pocket expenses for medication and other treatments not covered by health insurance.
Additionally, we cannot overstate the emotional and psychological effects of these illnesses. Those who receive a cancer diagnosis or face infertility during their reproductive years frequently face anxiety, depression, and increased strain on their personal relationships.
These weighty matters underscore the importance of holding hair relaxer manufacturers accountable for their negligence. Victims who developed uterine cancer or another serious condition due to these products may recover significant compensation, which can alleviate these burdens and ensure they receive the care they need now and in the future.
Recent Developments in Hair Relaxer Mass Tort Cases
The significant uptick in mass tort cases related to hair relaxer products has linked their use to uterine cancer. The growing body of scientific evidence reinforces the correlation between these cosmetic products and serious health consequences.
As of June 2023, claimants may now submit a short-form complaint in addition to a Master Complaint form that contains shared allegations, further expediting the means through which victims can join the current hair relaxer MDL lawsuit. We can do this for you.
Thus far, plaintiffs have filed more than 130 claims.
As women continue to come forward with their experiences, we expect that the number of claims consolidated in this MDL will only accelerate. This surge in victims standing up against these corporations has made the issue more visible, putting more pressure on the companies involved and on the regulatory bodies that oversee product safety.
The Defendants in the Current Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
The first hair relaxer lawsuits, filed in October 2022, named L’Oreal as their defendant. This company remains the most prominent defendant in these lawsuits, and produces many popular hair relaxer products marketed toward Black women, such as Dark & Lovely and Soft & Beautiful.
Other major corporations who these lawsuits may implicate include:
Unilever (including its subsidiaries, Sunsilk and Just For Me)
Procter & Gamble (including the subsidiary Ultra Sheen)
Softsheen Carson, Inc.
Dabur International
Namaste Laboratories
Beauty Bell Enterprises
Parfums De Coeur
Cureplex
Avlon Industries
House of Cheatham
As more claimants join this ongoing MDL, more defendants may emerge. Our attorneys attentively monitor this situation and its current developments to better serve our clients during this critical period.
Compensation in Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
If you suffered from the adverse effects of hair relaxers, you may recover compensation for:
Medical expenses: The health complications mentioned above, especially uterine cancer, require costly, ongoing treatments. Compensation for your medical expenses includes all medical costs incurred due to the harmful effects of the hair relaxer product, such as hospital bills, cost of medication, and any future necessary medical treatments.
Lost income: If your illness or need for medical treatment required you to miss work, you may recover compensation for these lost earnings. You may also recover compensation for loss of future earnings, depending on your prognosis and ability to return to your job.
Pain and suffering: You may recover compensation for the physical discomfort and emotional distress caused by the side effects of the hair relaxer.
Punitive damages: In some MDL cases, if the court finds the actions of the product manufacturer particularly reckless or malicious, you may receive additional damages to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior. As the current hair relaxer lawsuits proceed, we will learn more about what additional compensation claimants may recover.
How Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Law Firm Can Help You
Christopher C. Dyer, Esq.
Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Law Firm brings a wealth of experience, resources, and dedication to the table. Our legal team consists of skilled trial attorneys, fierce litigators, and compassionate voices for justice.
We contribute the following services and more for your benefit:
Case review: We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation to assess your claim and determine the best course of action. If our team determines that your claim is viable, we will immediately step in to action, filing your claim, investigating your case, and providing you with the support you need throughout the process.
Investigation: Our legal team will thoroughly investigate your case, collecting necessary evidence including medical records, product information, and any other relevant data. Our personal injury attorneys know where to look for relevant data and how to create strategies tailored to each client.
Representation: Our experienced trial attorneys are not afraid to represent you in court, if necessary. No matter what role your case calls for, we are ready and willing to take the lead and aggressively fight for your rights.
Support: We understand the emotional toll that a serious condition and its symptoms can take on you. Our team can provide you with the support and guidance you need throughout the legal process from start to finish.
Contact Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer to Learn About Your Legal Options
If you or a loved one experienced the harmful side effects of hair relaxers, contact Lucas, Macyszyn & Dyer Injury Firm today. Our team of personal injury lawyers can provide the legal guidance you need to navigate this challenging time.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we collect a settlement or award for your case.
Stand up against the corporations that have prioritized profits over your health. Contact The Lucas, Macyszyn, & Dyer Injury Firm today at (727) 849-5353 and let us help you secure a positive outcome for your case and the justice you deserve.
Injured?
If you or someone you love has been injured in a hair relaxer accident, please contact our offices.
People have used hair relaxers for nearly a century to straighten curly or textured natural hair. However, researchers have linked hair relaxers to an array of severe health concerns. From scalp burns to alopecia, these products cause substantial harm. However, by far, the most concerning consequence of these cosmetic treatments is uterine cancer.
The significant uptick in mass tort cases related to hair relaxer products has linked their use to uterine cancer. The growing body of scientific evidence reinforces the correlation between these cosmetic products and serious health consequences.