Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Settlement, Over 10,000 Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits Filed Litigation Update

Current Status: Over 10,000 Hair Relaxer Cancer Lawsuits Filed

The hair relaxer litigation has evolved into one of the most significant consumer health lawsuits in recent years, with over 10,317 cases now consolidated in federal multidistrict litigation (MDL). As of June 2025, the chemical hair relaxer lawsuits went up slightly, from 10,168 to 10,317 cases, showing that new cases are still being filed.

These lawsuits allege that manufacturers of chemical hair relaxers and straightening products failed to warn consumers about the increased cancer risks associated with regular use of their products. The litigation primarily targets major manufacturers including L’Oréal, Strength of Nature, and Soft Sheen.

Critical Timeline Update: Judge Rowland outlined a comprehensive bellwether trial plan for the hair relaxer MDL, indicating there will not be a trial in the MDL until 2027. However, two bellwether trials have been selected for the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit, with the first trial scheduled for November 3, 2025, and the second for February 2, 2026.

Scientific Evidence: The Foundation of Hair Relaxer Cancer Claims

NIH Study Reveals Doubled Cancer Risk

The litigation is primarily based on groundbreaking research from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). “We estimated that 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners would go on to develop uterine cancer by the age of 70; but for frequent users, that risk goes up to 4.05%,” said Alexandra White, PhD, head of the NIEHS Environment and Cancer Epidemiology group and lead author of the study.

This represents more than a doubling of cancer risk for frequent users of chemical hair straightening products.

Sister Study Research Findings

The research team previously found that permanent hair dye and straighteners may increase breast and ovarian cancer risk. The comprehensive Sister Study followed 33,497 women aged 35-74 for over a decade, providing robust scientific evidence linking hair relaxer use to multiple cancer types.

Chemical Composition Analysis

Hair relaxers contain numerous potentially hazardous chemicals with endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic properties. These include:

• Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents
• Parabens and phthalates
• Heavy metals including lead and cadmium
• Cyclosiloxanes and other volatile organic compounds

The FDA has acknowledged these risks, though the FDA missed its April 2024 deadline to finalize a ban on formaldehyde in hair relaxers.

Types of Cancer Linked to Hair Relaxer Use

Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer represents the strongest claim in hair relaxer litigation. The Sister Study found that women who used chemical hair straighteners more than four times per year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to those who never used these products.

Legal Significance: If you have suffered uterine cancer after using hair straightener products, your case is considered one of the strongest.

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer, which affects the lining of the uterus, shows similar elevated risks in women who regularly used chemical hair relaxers. This is a treatable form of cancer when diagnosed early.

Ovarian Cancer

Long-term use of chemical hair relaxers has also been tied to an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. This type of cancer originates in the ovaries or related areas such as the peritoneum and fallopian tubes.

Comprehensive Coverage: The top three types of cancer (those that should be the easiest to prove) are uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer.

Eligibility Criteria for Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Claims

Primary Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit, plaintiffs must demonstrate:

Medical Diagnosis: If you were diagnosed with uterine or endometrial cancer after using hair relaxers, you may qualify for a lawsuit.

Product Use History:

• Regular use of chemical hair relaxers or straightening products
• Use of products for multiple years (typically 4+ years)
• Frequency of use (more than 4 times per year strengthens claims)
• Use of products manufactured by defendant companies

Temporal Connection:

• Cancer diagnosis occurred after a period of regular hair relaxer use
• Sufficient latency period between product use and cancer diagnosis
• Medical records documenting both product use and cancer diagnosis

Accepted Cancer Diagnoses

Women who developed these cancers after using hair relaxers may be able to file a hair relaxer lawsuit for the following conditions:

• Uterine cancer (all subtypes)
• Endometrial cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Related gynecological cancers

Additional Claim Categories

Hysterectomy claims are actively pursued in Cook County, Illinois, though the plaintiff’s leadership stopped accepting fibroid cases in the MDL last year.

Defendant Companies and Products

Major Defendants

The brands involved in the litigation are L’Oréal, Strength of Nature and Soft Sheen. However, the litigation extends beyond these primary defendants.

Complete Defendant List:

• L’Oréal USA, Inc.
• Strength of Nature Global, LLC
• Soft Sheen Products
• Godrej Consumer Products USA, Inc.
• Namaste Laboratories LLC
• Dabur International Ltd.
• PDC Brands
• House of Cheatham, Inc.

Product Lines Under Investigation

Most brand hair relaxer products contain the potentially dangerous chemicals that recent studies have shown increase the risk of uterine cancer, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer.

Specific Product Categories:

• Chemical hair relaxers (lye and no-lye formulations)
• Hair straightening treatments
• Keratin treatments containing formaldehyde
• Professional salon straightening systems
• At-home relaxer kits

Legal Proceedings Timeline and Current Status

Federal MDL Consolidation

All federal hair relaxer lawsuits have been consolidated in the Northern District of Illinois under Judge Mary M. Rowland. This consolidation streamlines discovery and pre-trial proceedings for the thousands of pending cases.

Discovery Phase Deadlines

Written discovery will close on February 28, 2025, and oral fact discovery will close on September 30, 2025. These deadlines are critical for evidence gathering and case preparation.

Discovery Management: The lawyers came up with an agreed list of 565 plaintiffs whose PFS submissions require review for deficiencies before the February 28, 2025 discovery deadline.

State Court Alternatives

Philadelphia courts have consolidated hair relaxer lawsuits into a state-level mass tort, providing an alternative to the federal MDL for plaintiffs who have jurisdiction to file in Pennsylvania.

Bellwether Trial Selection

The court has identified specific cases for early trial to help establish precedent and potential settlement values. These early bellwether trials will help shape the outcome of thousands of cases alleging that chemical hair straighteners caused uterine, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.

Potential Compensation and Settlement Expectations

Damages Categories

Hair relaxer lawsuit plaintiffs may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical Expenses:

• Cancer treatment costs (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation)
• Ongoing medical monitoring and follow-up care
• Future medical expenses related to cancer treatment
• Fertility preservation costs (if applicable)

Lost Income and Earning Capacity:

• Time away from work for treatment
• Reduced earning capacity due to illness
• Lost career advancement opportunities
• Disability-related income losses

Pain and Suffering:

• Physical pain from cancer and treatment
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Impact on family relationships

Punitive Damages:

• Available in cases demonstrating manufacturer negligence
• Designed to punish companies for failing to warn consumers
• Varies by jurisdiction and case strength

Settlement Value Considerations

Settlement amounts will likely vary based on:

• Type and stage of cancer at diagnosis
• Age at diagnosis and life expectancy impact
• Duration and frequency of product use
• Strength of medical causation evidence
• Individual damages and losses

Early settlement discussions have not yet begun, as the litigation remains in the discovery phase.

Legal Theories and Claims

Failure to Warn

The primary legal theory alleges that manufacturers knew or should have known about cancer risks but failed to provide adequate warnings to consumers. Many women used these products for years without ever being warned of the risks.

Design Defect

Plaintiffs argue that hair relaxers are unreasonably dangerous due to their chemical composition and that safer alternatives were available.

Negligence

Claims include:

• Failure to conduct adequate safety testing
• Negligent product development and marketing
• Failure to monitor post-market safety data
• Inadequate response to emerging health risks

Breach of Warranty

Manufacturers allegedly breached implied warranties by selling products that were not reasonably safe for their intended use.

How to File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Initial Case Evaluation

Medical Documentation Required:

• Cancer diagnosis records and pathology reports
• Complete medical history and treatment records
• Documentation of hair relaxer product use
• Timeline of product use and cancer development

Product Use Documentation:

• Purchase receipts (if available)
• Photographs showing product use
• Testimony from family members or hairstylists
• Employment records from salon workers

Statute of Limitations Considerations

Time limits for filing hair relaxer lawsuits vary by state and depend on:

• Date of cancer diagnosis
• Date plaintiff discovered or should have discovered the connection
• State-specific statute of limitations periods
• Discovery rule applications

Important: Some statutes of limitations may be approaching for early cancer diagnoses, making prompt action essential.

Attorney Selection Criteria

When selecting legal representation, consider:

• Experience with mass tort and product liability litigation
• Resources to handle complex medical and scientific evidence
• Track record in similar consumer health cases
• Fee structure (most cases handled on contingency basis)

For related legal guidance, consult resources on consumer protection attorney services and understand employment lawyer costs for comprehensive legal planning.

Demographic Impact and Health Disparities

Disproportionate Impact on Black Women

Chemical hair relaxers, use of which is highly prevalent among Black women in the US, have been inconsistently linked to risk of estrogen-dependent cancers. Research specifically focusing on this demographic provides crucial evidence for the litigation.

The Sister Study found that Black women were more likely to use hair straightening products and used them more frequently than other demographic groups, potentially increasing their cancer risk exposure.

Public Health Implications

The hair relaxer litigation highlights broader public health concerns about:

• Chemical exposure in cosmetic products
• Inadequate FDA regulation of personal care products
• Health disparities in product marketing and use
• Need for improved ingredient safety testing

Regulatory Response and Industry Changes

FDA Action (or Lack Thereof)

Despite mounting evidence, federal regulatory response has been limited. The FDA has missed its April 2024 deadline to finalize a ban on formaldehyde in hair relaxers.

State-Level Initiatives

Some states have begun considering legislation to:

• Ban certain chemicals in hair care products
• Require enhanced warning labels
• Mandate ingredient disclosure requirements
• Implement stricter safety testing standards

Industry Response

Several manufacturers have:

• Reformulated products to remove certain chemicals
• Enhanced warning labels (though critics argue these remain inadequate)
• Faced increased insurance costs and litigation reserves
• Implemented new safety testing protocols

Expert Medical and Legal Opinions

Medical Expert Perspectives

Leading oncologists and epidemiologists have provided crucial testimony supporting the connection between hair relaxer chemicals and cancer development. These experts emphasize:

• The biological plausibility of chemical hair relaxer carcinogenicity
• Dose-response relationships between product use frequency and cancer risk
• Mechanisms by which endocrine-disrupting chemicals may cause cancer
• The strength of epidemiological evidence from large-scale studies

Legal Expert Analysis

Product liability attorneys specializing in mass tort litigation note several factors strengthening these cases:

• High-quality scientific evidence from NIH studies
• Clear temporal relationships between product use and cancer development
• Large number of affected individuals creating economies of scale
• Precedent from other cosmetic product liability cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Resources and Legal Support

Related Legal Assistance

For comprehensive legal support, consider consulting resources about:

• Consumer law attorneys specializing in product liability cases
• Product liability legal fees and cost structures
• Identity theft protection for data security during litigation

Medical Resources

• National Cancer Institute information on uterine and ovarian cancers
• American Cancer Society support resources for cancer patients
• NIEHS environmental health research updates
• Local oncology support groups and treatment centers

Consumer Protection Organizations

• Environmental Working Group (EWG) cosmetic safety database
• Campaign for Safe Cosmetics advocacy resources
• Consumer Reports product safety information
• State attorney general consumer protection divisions

Take Action: Protecting Your Legal Rights

Immediate Steps for Potential Claimants:

1. Preserve Medical Records: Gather all cancer diagnosis and treatment documentation
2. Document Product Use: Compile evidence of hair relaxer use history
3. Consult Legal Counsel: Contact experienced product liability attorneys promptly
4. Monitor Deadlines: Be aware of statute of limitations in your jurisdiction
5. Stay Informed: Follow litigation updates and regulatory developments

Important Considerations:

The hair relaxer litigation represents a significant opportunity for affected women to seek justice and compensation for their cancer diagnoses. However, the complex nature of mass tort litigation requires experienced legal representation and prompt action to protect your rights.

The scientific evidence linking chemical hair relaxers to increased cancer risk continues to strengthen, and the large number of filed cases demonstrates the widespread nature of this public health issue. For women who have been diagnosed with uterine, endometrial, or ovarian cancer after using these products, pursuing legal action may provide both financial compensation and contribute to holding manufacturers accountable for their failure to warn consumers about these serious health risks.

This article provides general information about hair relaxer litigation and should not constitute specific legal advice. Individual cases vary significantly based on specific facts and circumstances. For personalized legal guidance regarding your potential hair relaxer lawsuit, consult with a qualified product liability attorney who can evaluate your specific situation.

Sources: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Federal Court Documents from MDL No. 3:22-md-03055, various state court filings.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah