Hair Relaxer Lawsuits: Holding Manufacturers Accountable

When manufacturers sell dangerous products, they can—and should—be held accountable. As consumers, we rely on manufacturers to put safe products on store shelves, and we expect to be able to use the products we buy without a risk of harm.  

Unfortunately, manufacturers don’t always do the right thing.

Manufacturers regularly sell products that are not safe for their intended use. Sometimes they aren’t aware of the risks their products present, but in many cases they are. Manufacturers can be held accountable in both scenarios, as product liability laws hold companies strictly liable for putting consumers’ health and safety at risk.

Holding Manufacturers Accountable for Dangerous Hair Relaxers

Chemical hair relaxers are a recent example of a type of dangerous product for which manufacturers can be held accountable. Investigations have revealed that numerous manufacturers sold dangerous chemical hair relaxers for years. While some of these companies may not have been aware of the risks involved, others almost certainly were. Manufacturers that are currently facing chemical hair straightener lawsuits include (but are not limited to):

• Avlon
• Carson Soft Sheen
• Creme of Nature
• Dark & Lovely
• Just for Me
• L’Oréal
• Motions
• Namaste
• Olive Oil Girls
• Optimum Care
• ORS Olive Oil
• Revlon
• Soft & Beautiful
• Soft Sheen
• Strength of Nature Global
• TCB Naturals

The hair relaxing products sold by these manufacturers, potentially among others, contain dangerous cancer-causing chemicals. Studies have revealed that these chemicals can enter the bloodstream through the scalp, and there have now been numerous reported cases of women developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and other serious health conditions after using chemical hair relaxers. These women and their families deserve to be fully compensated, and the companies that are responsible for their diagnoses deserve to be held fully accountable.

Establishing Accountability for Cancers (and Other Conditions) Caused By Chemical Hair Relaxers

Recognizing that manufacturers like L’Oreal, Revlon and TCB Naturals deserve to be held accountable for selling dangerous chemical hair relaxers, how can affected women and their families take legal action to recover the financial compensation they deserve?

Here are some of the key steps for holding manufacturers accountable:

1. Stop Using Dangerous Chemical Hair Relaxers

First and foremost, if you are still using a dangerous chemical hair relaxer, you should stop doing so immediately. Dangerous chemical hair relaxers include those that contain the following ingredients (among others):

• Bisphenol A
• Cyclosiloxanes
• Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
• Formaldehyde
• Parabens

Stopping use immediately will help to mitigate any health risks you may be facing. Additionally, if you have a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit, stopping use promptly will be important for holding the manufacturer fully accountable. If you would still like to straighten your hair, there are safer alternatives available.

2. Keep Any Proof of Purchase

To hold the manufacturer of your chemical hair relaxer accountable, you will need proof that you used the product. In most cases, this will be proof of purchase. If you still have the bottle, if you have a receipt, or if you have a record of an online purchase, this will be important evidence to keep so that your lawyer can use it to prove your legal rights.

3. Get the Treatment You Need

Breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and the other health problems caused by dangerous chemical hair relaxers all require prompt treatment in order to mitigate their long-term effects. With this in mind, if you have concerns about your health after using a chemical hair relaxing product for any reason, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

4. Learn More About the Link Between Chemical Hair Relaxers and Health Problems (Including Cancers)

If you think you may be dealing with cancer or another health problem caused by a chemical hair relaxer, learning more about the link between your condition and your hair care product will be helpful as well. This link is now well-known, with multiple studies—including a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—confirming that chemical hair relaxers can more than double women’s risk of developing cancer.

5. Hire a Lawyer to File a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Holding a manufacturer accountable for selling a dangerous chemical hair relaxer starts with hiring a lawyer to represent you. Many women and families have already filed chemical hair relaxer lawsuits. If you have grounds to file a lawsuit, your lawyer will be able to take all necessary legal action on your behalf.

6. Work with Your Lawyer to Calculate Your (and Your Family’s) Long-Term Costs

Along with filing a lawsuit on your behalf, your lawyer will also carefully calculate the financial compensation you are entitled to recover. Manufacturers can be held fully accountable for the harm their products inflict—including not only out-of-pocket costs, but also emotional trauma and other non-financial losses.

7. Negotiate a Settlement with the Manufacturer or Go to Court if Necessary

Many chemical hair relaxer lawsuits are being resolved via settlement; and, when you hire an experienced lawyer to represent you, your lawyer will work to negotiate a favorable settlement on your behalf. However, since a settlement is not guaranteed, it will be important to know that your lawyer is prepared to take your lawsuit to court if necessary as well.

How Much Can Women and Families Recover in Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuits?

If you have a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit against a manufacturer, how much can you expect to recover? Ultimately, the answer to this question depends on you. Everyone’s circumstances are different, and your diagnosis (or your loved one’s diagnosis), your out-of-pocket costs, and all of the other effects that you and your family experience will determine how much your lawyer can seek on your behalf.

Talk to a Lawyer About Filing a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

If you need to know more about filing a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a lawyer at Searcy Denney, please call 800-780-8607 or tell us how we can help online today.