Hair Relaxer Attorney

Learn About How Our Team Connects Consumers With Hair Relaxer Lawyers at Partner Law Firms

The Goldwater Law Firm has a strong reputation for justice. We fight for consumers and get results. We are one of the most widely recognized law firms in the country and work with other experienced, reputable firms in strategic partnerships. Our co-counsel represent plaintiffs from all 50 states in the hair relaxer multidistrict litigation (MDL).

It is only natural to be frustrated, scared, and angry if you are battling cancer and learn it may be due to chemicals in the hair relaxers you used. Consumers trust companies to properly test their products and ensure they are safe. However, we know all too well that this does not always happen. For two decades, we have helped people hold companies responsible for hurting consumers while profiting from their dangerous products.

When you call us, we will assess your options and connect those who qualify with a law firm partner nearby. Not only will you benefit from our strategic partnerships, but you will also have access to our network of experts and specialists who could be crucial to your case.

You will not need to pay our law firm partner anything upfront. They will begin work on your case based on contingency. You will only pay for the legal representation you received after the case closes and you receive compensation through a settlement or litigation. Learn more during your free consultation with our team.

Can a Hair Relaxer Lawyer Help Me Join the Ongoing Litigation?

The Goldwater Law Firm connects individuals and families with partner law firms that file lawsuits and represent clients in the hair relaxer multidistrict litigation. MDL 3060 IN RE: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation has been underway in the Northern District of Illinois District Court since February 2023.

U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland presides over this case, which continues to hear pretrial motions and manage the discovery process in August 2024. The August 1, 2024, report issued by the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation shows 7,946 actions pending in the MDL. These actions represent a plaintiff who possibly suffered injuries because of these products.

It could continue to grow as more consumers meet the eligibility requirements and file their own lawsuits.

You May Be Eligible to Join the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will work with a defective product lawyer from one of our partner law firms to pursue your case. You could qualify to join if you:

• Used hair relaxers for several years before your diagnosis,
• Used hair relaxers regularly or continuously, and
• Were diagnosed with cancer within 10 years of last using a hair relaxer.

The cancers linked to the chemical hair relaxers include:

• Uterine cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Endometrial cancer

What Hair Relaxers Are Listed in the Mass Tort?

The defendants named in the hair relaxer lawsuit are L’Oréal, Revlon, and Strength of Nature. These are some of the biggest names in the beauty and hair care marketplace. Strong evidence exists to link chemicals in their hair straightener products to the development of several types of reproductive system cancers.

Black women are the primary users of these products, increasing their risk for reproductive system cancers. In fact, a study by researchers at Boston University’s Black Women’s Health Study found that women who regularly (more than twice a year or for more than five years) used hair relaxers had more than a 50% greater risk of uterine cancer than women who did not or rarely used chemical relaxers.

What Damages Can a Hair Relaxer Lawyer Recover for Plaintiffs in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

When you work with a personal injury lawyer from one of our partner law firms, they will gather evidence to document the damages you suffered. This could include bills, receipts, expert testimony, relevant medical records, and more.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the current and future financial expenses and losses experienced. This includes medical bills for treatment and monitoring, lost income if you missed work, and any related expenses, such as modifying your home for new disabilities.

Non-economic Damages

There are the intangible losses experienced because of the cancer diagnosis and other facts of the case. They include physical pain and suffering as well as emotional and mental distress. Lasting disabilities, reduced quality of life, and missing out on favorite activities could also play a role.

Wrongful Death Damages

When individuals pass away from the cancers linked to these hair relaxer products, their surviving family members can recover damages for lost household income, loss of services, medical bills, final expenses, and more.

Punitive Damages

Not every case receives punitive damages. Juries use them sparingly, but they are often awarded when the defendants acted in particularly malicious, intentional, or fraudulent ways. At this time, it is unclear whether there is strong enough evidence for punitive damages in the hair relaxer lawsuit. With the right evidence, the juries in bellwether trials might award punitive damages.

Our Hair Relaxer Lawyers Know How Multidistrict Litigation Works

When it comes to mass torts, our team can answer your questions about how this process works, why it could help you recover compensation, and what you can expect if you proceed with your case. We have answered a few of the most common questions we hear below:

What Is the Purpose of Multidistrict Litigation?

Multidistrict litigation has benefits for the court system, the plaintiffs, and the defendants. The process prevents significant backups in the lower courts when hundreds or thousands of plaintiffs all file similar lawsuits at the same time.

It allows these similar cases to proceed through pretrial motions and discovery as a single case, which ensures the plaintiffs can pool resources and develop a strong case against even the largest of multinational companies.

At the same time, it keeps the defendants from having to utilize hundreds or thousands of legal teams to deal with a multitude of cases in lower courts.

What Does the MDL Filing Process Entail?

Joining the MDL requires your lawyer to file a lawsuit or complete a short-form complaint created for this case, which is available through the Northern District of Illinois District Court.

What Steps Occur During the MDL?

The MDL has three primary steps that occur while the cases are consolidated. This includes:

• Pretrial Motions: These motions set the rules for the case and determine how it will proceed.
• Discovery: This is the time when each party investigates the case and gathers evidence to support their argument.
• Bellwether Trials: These are the initial jury trials when both sides can test their arguments and see how a judge and jury react.

What Happens After an MDL Is Over?

Most cases inside an MDL will settle or be dropped before the MDL closes. This generally depends on how discovery and the bellwether trials go. If you do not accept a settlement or drop your case, you can return to your original jurisdiction and take the case to trial.

How Long Do I Have to Act? When Should I Call a Hair Relaxer Lawyer?

We recommend calling us as soon as possible. The hair relaxer mass tort is progressing. New plaintiffs are still joining, but your time may be limited. Each state sets its own deadline for filing an injury lawsuit.

Every state has a statute of limitations and other laws surrounding the timeline for filing legal action. Most states have two- to three-year periods following a diagnosis for plaintiffs to sue. However, some states give you only one year following the discovery of your injury to sue. Several offer four, five, or six years. Our team can determine the statute of limitations that applies in your case during your free consultation.

Even if you learn you have time to wait to file your lawsuit, you should act quickly. We will connect you with our co-counsel, who can get to work on your case right away. They can protect your rights, represent your best interests, and seek the compensation you need.