Haircare has long been at the fore of the beauty industry, with numerous hair straightening products promising to transform unruly manes into sleek, straight, and manageable ones. However, some products have been hiding a dark secret underneath the glossy packaging and all that temptation of straight, frizz-free locks.
This concealment of facts has led to the rise of the chemical hair straightener lawsuit, a mass tort that has gathered massive attention in recent years. So, let’s delve into what this lawsuit entails and the latest updates on this issue.
The Hair Straightener Controversy
Hair straightening chemicals or hair relaxers come in a lotion or cream form. But recently, various hair relaxers containing formaldehyde or its derivatives have come under scrutiny. These substances – primarily used by black women with curly and coiled hair – can release formaldehyde gas when heated, leading to potential inhalation and skin absorption. Thus, prolonged or short-term exposure in higher concentrations is believed to be causing various health issues, which is what the controversy is about.
The Risks Are Real
Hair relaxers are a norm since girls as young as 12 start using these products. In fact, it’s widely used in salons, and many ethnic women have been using hair relaxers for decades. But this haircare standard comes at a greater price. Dozens of cases are now being filed nationwide over the resulting damage. The three primary concerns linked to chemical hair straighteners include:
Mislabeling
Plaintiffs claim that many brands did not adequately label their products, misleading consumers about the potential risks or hiding formaldehyde’s presence.
Health Issues
Exposure to formaldehyde has been linked to respiratory problems, skin irritations, headaches, and certain types of cancers, including uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Salon Workers Are Also At Risk
Apart from the end consumer, salon workers who frequently apply these treatments are also at risk. Repeated and prolonged exposure adds to the dangers.
The Updates So Far
Several studies have established a direct link between potentially dangerous endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in hair relaxers and the associated health problems. Therefore, given the seriousness surrounding these products, many individuals have come forward with lawsuits against the manufacturers.
Personal injury and product liability lawsuits are consistently pouring in. Plaintiffs allege they weren’t warned about the risks, and the manufacturers failed to ensure the safety of their products.
In February 2023, the JPML (Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation) consolidated all cases into a class action MDL in the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago. This order was to ensure a more efficient resolution process and potentially larger compensation for the complainants.
The defendants include L’Oréal, Namaste, LLC, Godrej Consumer Products, Strength of Nature Global, LLC, Revlon, and many others.
Currently overseen by Judge Rowland, the hair relaxer MDL has over 200 pending cases. Many legal offices, including ours at H&P Law, are accepting new cases.
As of August 2023, a Short-Form Complaint has been approved, streamlining the process for new plaintiffs to join the MDL. It requires detailing the type of hair relaxer used and any resultant injuries, including uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer, from using these products.
File Your Claim Today!
If you’re in a similar situation and believe you qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit, you may be entitled to justified compensation. There’s a growing awareness among consumers about the potential risks of chemical hair straighteners. The exact compensation amounts and the terms of these settlements remain confidential, but our legal team can help you navigate the murky waters of this litigation and reach a favorable resolution.
Call us at 702-598-4529 to get started with your claim.
