There is a category of products called chemical hair relaxers. They are a popular option used to straighten wavy or curly hair. Recently, it has come to light that long-term use of these products comes at the cost of serious health risks. Some lawsuits are alleging that these serious health issues also include various cancers. In this article, we are going to understand the hair relaxer lawsuit and provide updates and insights on the legal proceedings and potential settlement amounts. We will also cover some frequently asked questions so that everything is clear for you.
Background of Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
When people with wavy or curly hair want to straighten their hair, they use hair straighteners. If someone doesn’t prefer that option, there is also the option to use chemical hair straighteners. These chemical straighteners are products called hair relaxers. They work by using chemicals to alter the structure of curly or wavy hair to make it straight. These products often contain chemicals like formaldehyde, which are known to be health risks. Now concerns have emerged about the long-term use of hair relaxers and their being linked to cancers affecting the reproductive system.
In October 2022, a study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and it found that women who frequently used hair relaxers had a higher risk of developing uterine cancer. After the study was released, major manufacturers of hair relaxers like L’Oréal and Revlon were hit with lawsuits regarding their failure to warn users about these potential risks.
Recent Developments in Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
There is a multidistrict litigation or MDL for hair relaxer products, which bundles all the related cases together. The MDL has around 10,000 cases pending in it which goes to show how much concern there is among the consumers regarding the health risk of hair relaxers.
In February of 2025, the MDL added 170 new cases, bringing the total to 9,819.
Currently, the discovery phase is going on and there is a deadline of February 28, 2024 set for it. In this phase, information exchange between the defendants and the plaintiffs takes place to prepare for a trial. Two bellwether trials have also been scheduled. The first one is on November 3, 2025, and the second one is on February 2, 2026. There is an expectation that these trials will provide insight into how juries may respond to the evidence. The outcome has the potential to influence future settlement discussions.
Potential Settlement Amounts
Currently, there haven’t been any settlements that are finalized. But if we look at similar product liability cases from the past, it suggests that the settlement amounts would depend on the seriousness of the health condition and circumstances on a case-to-case basis. For cases involving hair relaxers and uterine cancer, the settlement amounts are estimated to be between $300,000 to $1,750,000. Whereas for cases involving hair relaxers and endometriosis, the settlements are estimated to be between $150,000 and $500,000.
Please keep in mind that the figures we have mentioned are estimates. The actual settlement amount will depend on various factors. These factors include the strength of the evidence and your case, the seriousness of health issues, the outcome of the upcoming bellwether trials, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the current status of hair relaxer lawsuits?
There are around 10,000 cases that have accumulated and are pending in the MDL as of March 2025. As the discovery phase is going on and the bellwether trials are expected in late 2025 to early 2026, there is much that will become clear with time.
2. When will the hair relaxer lawsuits be settled?
Currently, it is difficult to be certain about the exact timelines for settlements. That is because there are a few factors it depends on. The outcome of the bellwether trials is important and will largely influence the discussion about settlements. Though hope is high, it could still take several years for all of the cases to be resolved.
3. What factors influence hair relaxer lawsuit settlement amounts?
The exact settlement amount will be different from case to case and will depend on a few factors. These factors will include the seriousness of your health condition and the strength of your case and evidence that links your use of hair relaxers to your condition. Other factors may also have some influence like the duration and frequency of product use and individual medical histories. Ensure on your end that all your required documents are in place.
4. How can I join a hair relaxer lawsuit?
If you have used chemical hair relaxer lawsuit for a significant amount of time and have been diagnosed with a health condition that you feel is related, then please consult a qualified attorney who has experience with product liability cases. Your attorney will first assess your situation and determine if your case is strong enough to proceed ahead with the legal process.
5. Are there any updates on hair straightener lawsuits?
Yes, there are updates. The hair straightener lawsuits are all a part of the broader litigation that focuses on chemical hair relaxers. The allegations and legal proceedings are quite similar for both the subjects and focus on the risks that these products pose to public health.
Conclusion
From all the lawsuits regarding hair relaxers, one thing is clear. There is growing awareness and understanding that these products pose a significant health risk. Legal proceedings are currently underway and will continue for a while to seek justice and compensation for all the individuals who are affected. It is important that big corporations be more open, and transparent and take more responsibility for the products that they launch. This is to ensure that public health is safe and that any risks posed are disclosed to the public so they can choose better alternatives if they are available.
If you are affected by using chemical hair relaxers and have undergone any treatments or diagnosis then please reach out to a legal professional to seek justice.
