The Hair Relaxer Lawsuit: Are You Eligible?
Background: The Hair Relaxer Lawsuit has garnered significant attention due to allegations that certain hair relaxer products contain harmful chemicals linked to serious health issues, including hormone-related cancers and reproductive problems. Plaintiffs argue that manufacturers failed to warn consumers, particularly women of color, about the long-term health risks associated with these products.
Key Allegations:
Chemical Composition: Hair relaxers often contain chemicals such as sodium hydroxide (lye), calcium hydroxide, guanidine carbonate, formaldehyde, ammonium thioglycolate, parabens, and phthalates. These chemicals are known to be endocrine disruptors and have been linked to various health risks, including uterine, ovarian, and breast cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.
Health Risks: Studies have shown that frequent use of chemical hair relaxers can increase the risk of developing estrogen-dependent cancers. Women who use these products more than four times a year are approximately 2.5 times more likely to develop uterine cancer1. Black women, who are frequent users of hair relaxers, are disproportionately at risk.
Lack of Warning: Plaintiffs claim that manufacturers did not adequately warn consumers about the potential health risks associated with the use of hair relaxers. This lack of transparency has led to numerous lawsuits against companies like L'Oréal, Namaste, LLC, TCB Naturals/Godrej Consumer Products, and Revlon.
Class Certification: The Hair Relaxer Lawsuit has been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) or class action lawsuit. As of January 2025, there are over 9,800 pending cases in the MDL. The court plans to hold bellwether trials to help predict how much hair relaxer cases may be worth. However, both sides are struggling to agree on key issues like case selection and discovery timelines.
Class Eligibility: To be eligible for the class action lawsuit, individuals must meet the following criteria:
Residency: Must be a resident of the United States.
Product Use: Must have used a chemical hair relaxer product manufactured by one of the defendants (e.g., L'Oréal, Namaste, LLC, TCB Naturals/Godrej Consumer Products, Revlon) within a specified time frame.
Health Conditions: Must have been diagnosed with a qualifying health condition, such as uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids, that can be linked to the use of hair relaxers.
Time Frame: Must have used the product within the statute of limitations, which varies by state but generally requires lawsuits to be filed within two to three years of diagnosis.
Legal Implications:
Privacy Concerns: The lawsuit highlights the importance of manufacturers respecting consumer privacy and refraining from sharing personal information without consent.
Potential Compensation: While the certification does not confirm the accusations, it opens the door for potential compensation for affected customers. Class members may have a chance of winning a few dollars over time.
Next Steps: The lawsuit is ongoing, and the court will continue to evaluate the evidence presented by both parties. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for how manufacturers handle customer data and privacy.