Can You File a Hair Relaxer Mass Tort Claim?

You may qualify for financial compensation if you used hair relaxers (or any kind of chemical hair straightening product) and developed specific forms of cancer. Generally, our mass tort team takes on claims involving endometrial or uterine cancer. In order to file a successful mass tort claim, your personal injury lawyer will have to show that you regularly used hair relaxer products and that you developed one of the eligible forms of cancer after your usage.

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Why do Hair Relaxers Increase the Risk of Cancer?

Individuals use hair relaxers to straighten their hair temporarily. These chemicals can break down certain protein bonds to accomplish this goal. However, some of them also qualify as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).

Your body can absorb EDCs through burns, cuts, sores, and lesions. Once absorbed, these chemicals can disrupt the endocrine system, affecting hormone production and use in the body and increasing the odds of developing estrogen-dependent cancers.

If you develop one of these cancers after using hair relaxers multiple times a year, you may qualify to file a mass tort claim.

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This timeline includes the latest progress for the Hair Relaxer Mass Tort case, feel free to check back for more updates.

March 14, 2025

MDL Bellwether Selection Process Outlined

The latest MDL order sets deadlines for selecting bellwether cases. Both plaintiffs and defendants must choose 20 cases each by April 30, 2025, narrowing them down to 32 for initial discovery. Fact discovery for these cases must be completed by February 16, 2026. Only cases filed by February 1, 2024, alleging uterine, endometrial, or ovarian cancer, with completed Plaintiff Fact Sheets (PFS) submitted by February 28, 2025, are eligible.

The expert discovery timeline is also set, with plaintiffs’ general causation experts due by October 31, 2025, defendants by December 1, 2025, and rebuttal experts by December 15, 2025. General causation expert discovery closes March 2, 2026, with Daubert motions due in April.
Afterward, the court will select 12 cases for potential trials, narrowing it to 10 by March 18, 2026. Additional expert discovery will be completed by October 16, 2026, with motions due by November 16, 2026.

As these cases move toward trial, pressure on defendants to settle fairly will rise. Positive outcomes for plaintiffs in the bellwether trials could lead to a global settlement for affected women.

March 4, 2025

Motions to Dismiss Denied (Again)

The MDL judge has once again rejected motions from John Paul Mitchell Systems, Wella, and Advanced Beauty to dismiss hair relaxer cancer lawsuits, keeping the cases in the MDL. The defendants argued that the master complaint didn't specifically address their products, but Judge Rowland ruled that both the master and short-form complaints should be considered together as a single operative complaint.

February 19, 2025

Hair Stylists and Cosmetologists

Hair stylists and cosmetologists are filing some of the strongest hair relaxer cancer cases. Unlike individual consumers, who may use the products occasionally, stylists have been exposed to these chemicals daily for years, even decades. This higher exposure makes the connection between hair relaxers and hormone-driven cancers like uterine and ovarian cancers even stronger.

From a legal perspective, this frequent exposure significantly strengthens causation arguments, making these cases some of the most compelling in the MDL. In addition to medical damages, many stylists face financial losses, as their careers in hairstyling are cut short by cancer or reproductive disorders caused by their exposure. Former stylists, unable to return to work in their field, often face major economic losses and permanent health issues, all because manufacturers failed to warn them about the risks of daily exposure to these toxic chemicals.

January 24, 2025

Formaldehyde Ban on Hold

The FDA’s proposal to ban formaldehyde in hair straighteners is delayed due to a Trump executive order halting all federal regulations. The FDA had planned to decide by April 2024, but postponed it to September 2024. Formaldehyde, linked to cancer risks—especially among Black women—has prompted ongoing calls from plaintiffs’ lawyers and advocacy groups for action.

January 22, 2025

Competing Bellwether Proposals Filed

Attorneys for both parties submitted distinct proposals to the MDL judge regarding the bellwether trial process. The plaintiffs' proposal suggests selecting 16 cases by February, with trial preparations underway and the first trial scheduled for September 2025. On the other hand, the defendants' alternative plan outlines a more complex procedure for case selection, pushing the first bellwether trial to 2026. The MDL judge will now determine which proposal to adopt or whether to establish an independent timeline.

January 7, 2025

170 New Cases Added to MDL

The hair relaxer class action MDL added 170 new cases in December, maintaining the case volume seen in the previous month. The total number of pending cases now stands at 9,819.

December 17, 2024

New Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

An Illinois woman has joined the Hair Relaxer MDL, claiming that long-term use of chemical relaxers from brands like L'Oréal and SoftSheen-Carson caused her uterine cancer. She alleges the products contained harmful chemicals linked to hormone-related cancers and reproductive issues. The lawsuit accuses the companies of failing to warn consumers about these risks and seeks damages for negligence, fraud, and consumer protection violations. This case adds to the growing number of claims about hair relaxers causing uterine, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.

December 9, 2024

Discovery Disputes in Hair Relaxer MDL

Plaintiffs in the Hair Relaxer MDL are accusing defendants like Avlon and Revlon of withholding key information needed for the case, including product ingredients and safety warnings. Defendants argue they have complied, but tensions rise as missed deadlines and incomplete disclosures persist.

December 2, 2024

161 New Cases Added to MDL in November

The Hair Relaxer MDL saw 161 new cases in November, a drop of 85% from October. The total number of cases is now 9,649. More lawsuits are being filed in state courts, and fibroid and hysterectomy lawsuits are outside the MDL.

What Compensation do You Get for a Hair Relaxer Claim?

If you qualify to file a mass tort claim after using hair relaxers, you may receive financial compensation for all your losses. In many cases, our team helps clients receive funds to cover their:

Healthcare Costs

We understand the high expenses associated with cancer treatment. You may receive funds to cover:

  • Diagnostic tests to identify the cancer
  • Hospitalization
  • Procedures like chemotherapy and surgery
  • Medications and rehabilitation

We’ll track all of the losses you sustained so we can seek maximum damages on your behalf.

Lost Pay

You may have to take time off work to receive treatment for cancer. In this situation, we’ll track your lost wages, bonuses, and wages. You could also qualify for funds to cover lost earning potential if you cannot return to work after treatment.

Pain and Suffering

Finally, your attorney may help you seek non-economic losses through a mass tort claim. These funds can address the emotional and mental pain caused by your illness. We understand how to calculate the value of these losses for you.

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Can a Lawyer File a Claim if You Lost a Loved One?

Sometimes, cancer has deadly results. If you lost a loved one due to an estrogen-dependent cancer caused by hair relaxers, you may have a chance to file a wrongful death claim.

Wrongful death claims allow a family to secure punitive damages in Alabama. You may use the compensation you receive to cover the financial burden on your family. You may also qualify to join a mass tort claim in some circumstances.

Find out more by contacting our team for detailed information about your specific options. We’ll provide you with compassionate guidance through the legal process.

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How Will a Mass Tort Lawyer Help with a Hair Relaxer Claim?

Lawsuits regarding cancers associated with hair relaxer usage started moving through the court system in 2022. The court system merged many of these claims as more and more plaintiffs appeared. A hair relaxer mass tort lawyer can assist you by:

  • Determining if you qualify to join a mass tort claim
  • Collecting evidence to show the impact of hair relaxers on your health
  • Tracking all the losses associated with your claim
  • Representing you in and out of court
  • Working to resolve your claim

Mass tort claims often take a significant amount of time to resolve as they involve many plaintiffs seeking damages from a single defendant responsible for causing physical harm and financial losses. Our team will stick with you throughout the legal process, representing your best interests every step of the way.

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Why Select Us to Handle a Hair Relaxer Mass Tort Claim?

Our team has over 15 years of experience helping clients with complex legal cases. We use our extensive experience and resources to handle complex mass tort cases, focusing on open communication and dedicated service.

We stand behind our record of success as we assist clients. We’ve brought clients over $3 billion in compensation and are ready to review your losses today. You can contact us for a risk-free consultation to learn more.

Contact Us Today.

The sooner you take action, the better your chances for a favorable resolution.

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What do We Charge for Hair Relaxer Mass Torts?

We use contingency pricing when we take on hair relaxer mass tort claims. Therefore, we will receive a percentage of your final financial award after resolving your claim. We only get payment for legal fees after we bring you damages.

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When do You Have to File Your Mass Tort Claim?

You can join a mass tort claim if you qualify due to dangerous exposure to chemicals in hair straighteners. It’s essential to contact a lawyer quickly, as many cases are going through the court system in 2023, Additionally, the statute of limitations in your state may expire if you wait too long to seek help. Our team can review your deadlines when you contact us.

Speak to a Hair Relaxer Mass Tort Attorney

You can work with a hair relaxer mass tort lawyer from our team at Heninger Garrison Davis LLC. We’ll support you in and out of court, track your losses, and work aggressively to resolve your claim. Find out more about your legal options by calling or filling out our online contact form.

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