Hair Relaxer Lawsuits for Ovarian and Uterine Cancer

The litigation team at Peter Angelos Law handles hair relaxer lawsuits for uterine cancer and other medical consequences of hair relaxer

If you have used relaxers that contain certain chemical products, and you have suffered from either uterine or ovarian cancer, you may be eligible to join the class action lawsuit against the manufacturers. In recent years, it has been proven that using certain hair relaxers for a prolonged period of time can lead to a significantly increased risk of developing these cancers.

One particularly worrying study found that women who have used hair relaxers for over 12 months were twice as likely to develop ovarian or uterine cancer. This suggests that a longer period of use could be linked to increased cancer risks for other types of cancer too.

If you have developed cancer anywhere in your body, and you are concerned it may have been caused by chemical hair relaxers, you should contact the team here at Peter Angelos Law immediately. We may be able to help you file a hair relaxer lawsuit for ovarian and uterine cancer, holding the negligent companies responsible for their actions.

Free Consultation From A Skilled Attorney at Peter Angelos Law

Get in touch today, and a legal team member will arrange a meeting to evaluate your case. If you proceed with representation, we will investigate your cancer's circumstances and assess the current medical data and studies that may link your injury to the products you have been using.

Call us today at 410-705-2405.

What are Chemical Hair Relaxers?

A chemical hair relaxer is a product that utilizes certain chemicals to straighten out curly and frizzy hair. Hair straightening products like this could contain a range of different harmful chemicals. Some of the ingredients common to hair relaxers are sodium hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate, guanidine carbonate, lithium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, and potassium thioglycolate.

To apply a hair relaxer, the product is usually applied to damp hair and then brushed through while the hair dries, breaking down protein bonds and creating a smoother, more "relaxed" look.

All chemical hair relaxers should be used with caution. Even if there is no study that links your current product to increased ovarian cancer risk, the chemicals used are often still strong and damaging. They may damage the scalp and cause irritation and inflammation.

Chemical hair relaxers can cause scalp irritation, skin burns, and even cancer due to the harsh chemicals such as ammonium thioglycolate, sodium hydroxide, and guanidine carbonate that can damage the scalp and cause rashes.

Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of developing certain cancers, including Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, breast cancer, and bladder cancer.

Moreover, using chemical relaxers over an extended period of time can also lead to weak and brittle hair that may eventually result in hair loss.

Additionally, formaldehyde, a known carcinogen present in some relaxers, can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled from vapors during its application and has been linked to various health issues such as eye and respiratory problems as well as an elevated risk of certain types of cancer such as nasal cavity tumors.

List of Common Hair Relaxer Products Used in America

Some chemical hair relaxer products sold in the United States and their respective manufacturers include:

• Positively Smooth Relaxer System by African Pride
• Soft & Beautiful Botanicals by L'Oreal USA
• Next Generation PRO 5, No Base Cream Relaxer System by Dark & Lovely
• TCB Naturals No Base Cream Relaxer System by Soft Sheen Carson
• Affirm Relaxer System by Avlon Industries
• Luster's S-Curl Texturizer No Base Creme Relaxer by Luster Products Inc.
• Just For Me No-Lye Relaxer System Sensitive Scalp Care Formula by Soft Sheen Carson
• Dark and Lovely Healthy-Gloss 5 Relaxer System by L'Oreal USA
• Ultra Glaze Professional Hair Strengthening Creme Relaxer Kit by Ultra Glaze
• ORS Olive Oil Built-In Protection New Growth No-Lye Relaxer System by Organic Root Stimulator (ORS) Hair Care
• Easy Waves Extra Strength Regular Formula Hair Relaxed Gel Activator Comb-Thru Wave Setter and Wave Starter from Cureplex

Hair Relaxer Ovarian Cancer Research

Research done on hair relaxers and common hair relaxer chemicals has shown that there may be an increased risk for those that use these products to develop various cancers. This is because of the use of phthalates and other chemicals that are known to disrupt the body's hormone and endocrine functions.

These EDC's or Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, have the potential to disrupt our body's natural systems. This disruption can unbalance our hormones and significantly increases the risk of cancers like endometrial cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer.

Worse still, newly emerging studies are beginning to show that being exposed to these chemicals for a long period of time may increase a woman's chance of developing uterine fibroids, leading to chronic pain and a whole number of additional health problems.

Prolonged Use of Hair Relaxers

The numbers are as worrying as they are staggering. Recent studies have shown that prolonged usage of hair relaxers could cause the victim to be more than 10x more likely to develop certain cancers.

If you are considering using a hair relaxer, you should always read the label closely and look for any chemicals that are EDCs.

Increased Risk For African American Women to Develop Uterine Cancer

In recent findings by the National Cancer Institute it has been discovered that black women, women are at a massively increased risk when using EDCs for a long period of time. The findings show that African American women are much more likely to develop uterine cancer as a result of using hair products that contain EDC's.

One of the most worrying things about these findings, is that uterine fibroids, developed through uterine cancer caused by EDC's, can leave a young black woman with permanent infertility.

Infertility Rates

The true correlation between hair relaxers and uterine cancer is still under study, but researchers are fairly certain that EDCs directly influence the hormone levels of young women, which can be linked to higher cancer rates and a higher risk of infertility.

Potential Side Effects When Using Chemical Hair Relaxers

Besides the increased risk of developing ovarian cancer and other hormone-related cancers, chemical hair relaxers can also cause a number of other conditions and injuries that range from mild to severe.

Some milder injuries include allergies or dermatitis, but some of the more severe side effects include headaches, dizziness, and either respiratory failure. In the worst cases, liver and lung damage can occur when the product has been used for a long period of time.

Hair Relaxer Class Action Lawsuit

In recent years a number of lawsuits have been brought against manufacturers for using toxic chemicals that can increase ovarian cancer risk. Some cases have allowed victims to file their independent claims and sue the product manufacturers.

Hair Relaxer Class Action vs. Hair Relaxer MDL (Multidistrict Litigation)

On February 6th 2023, the JPML Panel approved the class action lawsuit against all hair relaxer manufacturers, consolidating all lawsuits into a single case. This new process means that all similar cases and claims can be combined into one and women across the country can join together and fight for compensation on a united front.

If either you, or a loved one have suffered a diagnosis of uterine cancer, ovarian cancer or any other form of cancer after using chemical hair relaxers or chemical hair straighteners, you could consider joining the existing MDL or you may wish to file your own lawsuit. Your best option is to discuss your case with one of our skilled attorneys here at Peter Angelos Law.

Damages You May Be Entitled To Recover From the Chemical Hair Relaxer Manufacturers

In a successfully filed chemical hair straightener lawsuit, you may recover all the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered from your illnesses.

These include:

Medical Expenses

If your case is successful, you will be able to recover all of your medical bills and expenses, past and present. This means that treatment you have currently undergone can be backlogged and recovered and you will be able to pursue all current bills. Your attorney will also speak to medical experts who can help them understand your future costs.

Lost Wages

Any time you have had to take off work to receive treatment and recover that has cost you a loss of wages or income may be recoverable. Your attorney will work with you to understand what your lost income has cost you and if your illness means that you will require time off in the future, they may look to recover what you may lose in the future.

Pain and Suffering

Your pain and suffering damages should cover you for all of the physical pain and discomfort you have been through because of your injuries and illnesses. You should also be compensated for the emotional and mental distress you have suffered.

If you can no longer do things you used to enjoy, like work, play with your children, ride your bike or play a sport, you should also be compensated for the loss of enjoyment in life you have incurred.

How Are Hair Relaxer Lawsuits Funded?

Here at Peter Angelos Law, we have been fighting on behalf of victims in the state of Maryland for over 50 years. This isn't the first large class action we have fought. In the past we have won $4.45 billion dollars against the tobacco giants of the state, the largest settlement in Maryland to date.

We have also fought and won countless cases on behalf of the victims of medical malpractice, birth injuries, product defects, and wrongful death cases.

In order to offer our services to all victims, regardless of their current financial situation, we always offer a free consultation and case evaluation to any potential client that needs to discuss their case with us. This gives all victims the space to ask us important questions and allows us to ask what we need to ask to assess your case.

If you wish to proceed with representation, we do so on a contingency fee basis, which means you only pay us if we win your case. We don't charge up-front for our services, and we don't charge if we lose. If we win your case, we simply take a flat percentage of the settlement we secure you.

Wrongful Death Cases Involving Hair Relaxers

Unfortunately, due to their nature, both ovarian and uterine cancer can potentially kill the person diagnosed. Several hair relaxer cancer lawsuits were filed against manufacturers following the wrongful death of a loved one.

These cases can allow for the loved ones of the deceased to recover damages for:

• Medical bills.
• Hospital costs.
• Lost wages.
• Funeral and burial expenses.
• The decedent's pain and suffering before dying.
• The family's grief due to the untimely passing of a loved one.

How a Personal Injury Law Firm Can Help You File a Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuit Against Hair Relaxer Manufacturers

Our attorneys can help you file a hair relaxer cancer lawsuit against hair relaxer manufacturers. Hair relaxer manufacturers have a duty of care to their customers. When they fail to adequately warn consumers of the potential risks associated with their products, they may be held accountable for damages.

We will investigate the matter, gathering evidence to support your claim and finding expert witnesses who can testify as to why the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings or failed to properly test the product before releasing it.

Our attorneys will help you prepare your case for trial and represent you in court. If your claim is successful, a personal injury law firm can help you recover damages related to medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to hair relaxer cancer.

Additionally, they may be able to help you obtain punitive damages from the manufacturer if their conduct was particularly egregious or reckless.

Hair Relaxer Lawsuit FAQ

Who qualifies to file a hair relaxer lawsuit for cancer?

If you have used chemical hair relaxer products for a prolonged period of time, and during that time or after that time you have developed uterine cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or any other form of hormone-related cancer, you may be entitled to bring a claim against the manufacturers of those products.

The best way to know if you qualify to make a claim for your illnesses is to contact a member of our team for a free case evaluation. Even if you are uncertain, we can ask the questions that cut right to the core of the matter and tell you if your situation qualifies you to make a claim.

What does it cost to file a hair relaxer cancer lawsuit?

Most personal injury, product liability, and medical malpractice lawsuits are fought on a no-win-no-fee, contingency basis. We follow this structure to allow all victims the opportunity to pursue their claims with confidence. You should not forgo your chance to pursue compensation simply because you are unable to afford up-front lawyers fees and you should not forgo your chance out of fear of what happens if you lose.

We only take our fees from your settlement or damages that are awarded in court. If we cannot win your case, there will be no fees to pay and you won't owe us a penny.

How much will I get from a class action lawsuit?

Some clients believe that they will receive very little if they take part in a class action lawsuit but this is not often the case. One example would be the class action against Johnson & Johnson. Some claimants in the class actions against them when it was found their talcum powder was causing cancer were awarded $55 million - $110 million dollars.

How much time do I have to file a hair relaxer lawsuit?

In the state of Maryland, the main time restriction on claimants is the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations places a legal time limit on claims to prevent cases from being raised many years later. If these cases were allowed to be brought, it would be very difficult to evidence any claims or truly examine what went wrong.

While you have two years under the statute of limitations, there are a few exceptions, such as the discovery rule, which may mean you have an extension if it took time for the injuries to be discovered. The other exception is for wrongful death cases. For these cases, the two years begin on the date of the victim's death.

In all cases, your chances of a successful case are the highest when you involve your attorney at the earliest possible convenience. The sooner they have been involved, the easier it will be for them to build the strongest possible case on your behalf.

Who is most at risk for hormone-related cancers from hair relaxers?

Black women and Latina women make up the largest percentage of users of hair relaxer products. This means these groups are at the highest risk. However, the risk is tied to the amount of use and this means that any woman that has used hair relaxer products more than four times a year poses a significantly increased risk of cancer.

Does it cost anything for you to review my case?

We want every victim to have the opportunity to pursue their claims against those that have wronged them. From medical malpractice to product liability, personal injury to wrongful death, we always offer a free initial consultation and case evaluation to our clients. This gives you the space to ask the questions you need to ask and for us to evaluate your case.

I've been diagnosed with cancer, and used hair relaxers in the past, what should I do?

Anyone that has been diagnosed with cancer that has a history of using hair relaxers may be eligible to make a case against the manufacturer of those products.

Here are the things you should do to maximize your chances of a successful claim:

• Prepare Your Evidence - You should prepare all of the relevant medical documents that may be useful to your attorney. This could include your medical records and copies of any test results. You should also write down a brief history of your hair relaxer use, including how often you used the products and how long you have been using the product for, as well as any of the brands you used.
• Make a List of Important Questions - If you have any important questions you want to ask, you should create a list. Take this list with you to the first consultation and ask your potential attorney to answer them for you. You may want to ask about previous lawsuit wins and how busy your attorneys' caseload is, for example.
• Familiarize Yourself With Your Consumer Rights - You have a number of rights that protect you as a consumer in the U.S and understanding these will make your case easier. Here at Peter Angelos Law, we promise to keep you informed as much as possible and educating our clients in their rights is part of that process.
• Choose the Right Law Firm - Your choice of attorney is incredibly important and making that choice can be difficult. Many victims have never needed legal representation before and this means the process may be new to you, and you may feel overwhelmed when it comes to researching the best law firm for the job. The key points to look for are a track record for winning cases similar to yours, strong organization skills and a personable attitude and personality that you get along with.

Contact a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Attorney at Peter Angelos Law

Here at Peter Angelos Law, we have been fighting and winning cases for victims for many decades. Our law firm has experience fighting cases big and small, with historic victories against some of the state's largest corporations.

Our team of attorneys is skilled and experienced in all aspects of fighting a strong case. We excel at negotiations, using our vast experience to calculate your damages accurately and in a way that is tough to argue with.

If we cannot negotiate a settlement, you can rest assured, our attorneys are some of the fiercest trial-tested litigators the state has to offer. We aren't afraid to take on the insurance giants and corporations of the state, and we won't back down or settle for less.

We fight until every aspect has been explored and every option has been taken. We won't rest until you have been given the reasonable treatment you deserve.

Call us today at 410-705-2405.