L’Oreal and other companies are set to face litigation over claims that their hair relaxer products cause cancer and other health problems. The federal judge in Illinois appointed lead counsel for plaintiffs in the chemical hair relaxer lawsuit. Diandra “Fu” Debrosse Zimmermann and Ben Crump of the Ben Crump Law Firm have been named as co-lead counsel, along with Fidelma Fitzpatrick of Motley Rice and Michael London of Douglas & London. Manufacturers have requested to dismiss the multidistrict litigation (MDL) consolidation. However, the chemical hair relaxer lawsuit will proceed. The MDL includes around 75 class-action lawsuits across the US.
Thirty-five lawyers were appointed to lead lawsuits over hair relaxers used predominantly by Black and Brown women. Of those appointed, 12 are attorneys of color.
About The Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
The National Institutes of Health found that women who use chemical hair straighteners and relaxers have a higher risk of uterine cancer. The findings are consistent with previous studies showing that straighteners can increase women’s risk of hormone-related cancers. This has led to lawsuits against major hair relaxer manufacturers, L’Oréal, alleging that their products have put women at an increased risk of uterine cancer.
Jenny Mitchell, a 32-year-old woman, sued five hair relaxer manufacturers, claiming that their chemical hair-straightening products caused her uterine cancer. Mitchell’s lawsuit is just one of many. As prolonged use of these products has been shown to double the risk of uterine cancer in women, according to the same study.
A study published in the National Cancer Institute has also shown that women who frequently used chemical hair relaxers may have a higher risk of uterine cancer. Specifically, prolonged usage of specific chemical relaxer products has been found to have up to a two-and-a-half-fold increase in the risk of developing uterine cancer.
Overall, studies have shown that chemical hair straighteners and relaxers can increase the risk of uterine cancer in women. Many are taking legal action against manufacturers. Women who use these products should be aware of the potential health risks and consult with their doctors if they have concerns. Those who frequently used chemical hair straighteners and were subsequently diagnosed with cancer can seek justice and damages from chemical hair straighteners and relaxer producers.
