Hair Straightener Cancer Lawsuits
- Why are people suing L’Oréal?
- What is the current status of L’Oréal hair straightener cancer lawsuits?
- Current L’Oréal Hair Straightener Cancer Cases
- Anticipating a Wave of L’Oréal Hair Straightener Mass Tort Litigation
- What are hair straightener and relaxer products?
- Which hair straightener manufacturers are plaintiffs currently suing?
- What are the claims asserted by plaintiffs suing the hair straightener manufacturers?
- Why are plaintiffs suing the hair straightener manufacturers?
- Did L’Oréal know their products cause cancer?
- CAMG Helps Law Firms Generate L’Oréal Hair Straightener Cases
Hair straighteners or hair relaxers are common cosmetic products used to “relax” or “straighten” curly hair. There are countless hair straightener products on the market, with many companies selling their own version.
This past October saw several women initiating lawsuits against the manufacturers of these hair straightener products, alleging the products caused them to develop various medical conditions, including uterine cancer.
Why are people suing L’Oréal?
Popular French cosmetic company L’Oréal is among the companies being sued. The plaintiffs claim components in the hair straightener products were unsafe and increased their risk of the various medical conditions they suffer from, suffered from, or have an increased chance of suffering from.
These lawsuits follow the release of a study identifying the chemical in hair straighteners as the cause of an increased risk of uterine cancer. At least two class actions have been filed, and a motion has been made for multidistrict litigation. These lawsuits are beginning to catch the attention of law firms, meaning many are starting to attempt to gain new clients.
Lawyers interested in attracting clients for this mass tort potential multidistrict litigation need to start thinking about their marketing strategies to gain new clients. As more potential clients begin coming forward to seek legal advice, your firm must differentiate itself in the personal injury attorney market and attract potential clients.
What is the current status of L’Oréal hair straightener cancer lawsuits?
A growing number of lawsuits are being filed in district courts across the country against cosmetic companies. These lawsuits are being brought by women who used hair straighteners and subsequently developed uterine cancer, breast cancer, fibroids, and other medical conditions.
On November 15, 2022, four plaintiffs filed a motion with the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to centralize all the cases (and others that may join) in multidistrict litigation in the Northern District of Illinois.
The plaintiffs argue that multidistrict litigation is warranted because it eliminates duplicative discovery, harmonizes pretrial rulings, and preserves court resources. They argue that the lawsuits “involve materially identical facts, the same or similar Defendants, and the same or similar legal claims. The number of cases grows by the day. Unless these cases are transferred for pretrial proceedings, the parties will incur excessive costs due to duplicative discovery, and will face the risk of inconsistent rulings on a variety of matters.”
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation will hear the motion to centralize the cases in multidistrict litigation on January 26, 2023, in Miami, Florida.
Current L’Oréal Hair Straightener Cancer Cases
Over 10 cases have been filed in district courts across the country. In all cases, the women allege the chemicals in the hair relaxer products caused them to develop medical conditions later in life, including uterine cancer, fibroids, and endometriosis, or that they have an increased risk of developing those medical conditions.
The following are examples of cases filed in courts:
| Plaintiffs - Class Action |
| Angela Burton, Natasha M. Casby, Bridgette Quinn, and Sondra Loggins |
| Defendants |
| L’Oréal, Soft Sheen/Carson |
| District Court |
| Eastern District of Michigan |
| Injury |
| No medical condition. Plaintiffs want economic damages and medical monitoring for medical conditions they may develop later due to their use of hair straightener products. |
| Plaintiffs - Class Action | Angela Burton, Natasha M. Casby, Bridgette Quinn, and Sondra Loggins |
| Defendants | L’Oréal, Soft Sheen/Carson |
| District Court | Eastern District of Michigan |
| Injury | No medical condition. Plaintiffs want economic damages and medical monitoring for medical conditions they may develop later due to their use of hair straightener products. |
| Plaintiff |
| Tamika Smith |
| Defendants |
| L’Oréal, Soft Sheen/Carson, Strength of Nature, Godrej, PDC Brands, and Parfums de Coeur |
| District Court |
| Northern District of Illinois |
| Injury |
| Uterine cancer, endometriosis |
| Plaintiff | Tamika Smith |
| Defendants | L’Oréal, Soft Sheen/Carson, Strength of Nature, Godrej, PDC Brands, and Parfums de Coeur |
| District Court | Northern District of Illinois |
| Injury | Uterine cancer, endometriosis |
| Plaintiffs - Class Action |
| Evelyn Williams, Tabatha Taggart, Tameka M. Meadows, Deborah Taylor, and Daphne Valentine |
| Defendants |
| L’Oréal, Soft Sheen/Carson |
| District Court |
| Northern District of Illinois |
| Injury |
| No medical condition. Plaintiffs want economic damages and medical monitoring for medical conditions they may develop later due to their use of hair straightener products. |
| Plaintiffs - Class Action | Evelyn Williams, Tabatha Taggart, Tameka M. Meadows, Deborah Taylor, and Daphne Valentine |
| Defendants | L’Oréal, Soft Sheen/Carson |
| District Court | Northern District of Illinois |
| Injury | No medical condition. Plaintiffs want economic damages and medical monitoring for medical conditions they may develop later due to their use of hair straightener products. |
| Plaintiff |
| Bernadette Gordon |
| Defendant |
| L’Oréal, Strength of Nature, Godrej, and Soft Sheen/Carson |
| District Court |
| Northern District of Illinois |
| Injury |
| Breast cancer; uterine cancer; cannot have children because of hysterectomy |
| Plaintiff | Bernadette Gordon |
| Defendant | L’Oréal, Strength of Nature, Godrej, and Soft Sheen/Carson |
| District Court | Northern District of Illinois |
| Injury | Breast cancer; uterine cancer; cannot have children because of hysterectomy |
| Plaintiff |
| Mahogany Lee |
| Defendants |
| L’Oréal, Strength of Nature, Soft Sheen/Carson, Namaste, and Godrej |
| District Court |
| Southern District of Georgia |
| Injury |
| Uterine fibroids; cannot have children because of hysterectomy |
| Plaintiff | Mahogany Lee |
| Defendants | L’Oréal, Strength of Nature, Soft Sheen/Carson, Namaste, and Godrej |
| District Court | Southern District of Georgia |
| Injury | Uterine fibroids; cannot have children because of hysterectomy |
| Plaintiff |
| Keaira Gamble |
| Defendant |
| L’Oréal, Strength of Nature, Soft Sheen/Carson, and Namaste |
| District Court |
| Southern District of Georgia |
| Injury |
| Uterine fibroids; endometriosis; cyst on left ovary |
| Plaintiff | Keaira Gamble |
| Defendant | L’Oréal, Strength of Nature, Soft Sheen/Carson, and Namaste |
| District Court | Southern District of Georgia |
| Injury | Uterine fibroids; endometriosis; cyst on left ovary |
| Plaintiff |
| Rugieyatu Bhonopha |
| Defendants |
| L’Oréal, Strength of Nature, Dabur, and Namaste |
| District Court |
| Northern District of California |
| Injury |
| Uterine fibroids |
| Plaintiff | Rugieyatu Bhonopha |
| Defendants | L’Oréal, Strength of Nature, Dabur, and Namaste |
| District Court | Northern District of California |
| Injury | Uterine fibroids |
| Plaintiff |
| Jenny Mitchell |
| Defendant |
| L’Oréal, Soft Sheen/Carson, Dabur, and Namaste |
| District Court |
| Northern District of Illinois |
| Injury |
| Uterine cancer; cannot have children because of hysterectomy |
| Plaintiff | Jenny Mitchell |
| Defendant | L’Oréal, Soft Sheen/Carson, Dabur, and Namaste |
| District Court | Northern District of Illinois |
| Injury | Uterine cancer; cannot have children because of hysterectomy |
Anticipating a Wave of L’Oréal Hair Straightener Mass Tort Litigation
Plaintiffs’ law firms need to know hair straightener products are very common products used by women with curly hair. The chemicals in these hair straighteners can cause devastating and serious medical conditions, including uterine cancer and fibroids.
Many complaints are being filed in federal district courts. In just one month, at least ten cases have been filed in district courts, and at least two are class actions. Awareness of these cases is growing daily, and more women are filing lawsuits for their injuries.
This considered mass tort litigation has the potential to be significant.
What are hair straightener and relaxer products?
Hair relaxers are cosmetic products used to straighten curly hair and are applied to the base of the hair for a period of time. During that time, the hair “cooks,” and the protein structure of the hair alters, changing the hair from curly to straight. To keep the hair straight, users must continuously use the hair treatment every few weeks.
The chemicals in the cosmetic product straighten the curls. These chemicals attack the hair’s structure, essentially damaging it to make it straight.
Which hair straightener manufacturers are plaintiffs currently suing?
Plaintiffs harmed by hair straightener products are currently suing the following cosmetic companies for their disorders and medical conditions:
- L’Oréal
- Strength of Nature
- Soft Sheen/Carson Inc.
- Dabur International
- Namaste Laboratories
- Godrej
- PDC Brands
- Parfums De Coeur
- Beauty Bell Enterprises
- House of Cheatham
These companies have been parties to at least one of the lawsuits pending in district courts. L’Oréal is the defendant facing the most lawsuits.
What are the claims asserted by plaintiffs suing the hair straightener manufacturers?
Plaintiffs suing L’Oréal and the other cosmetic companies are raising the following claims:
- Various state consumer fraud and deceptive practices laws
- Failure to warn (based on strict liability and negligence)
- Design and/or manufacturing defects (based on strict liability and negligence)
- Negligent failure to warn
- Negligent representation
- Fraud
- Fraudulent concealment
- Breach of express warranty
- Breach of implied warranty
- Failure to recall
- Medical monitoring
- Unjust enrichment
- Negligent misrepresentation/omission
Why are plaintiffs suing the hair straightener manufacturers?
These lawsuits follow the release of a scientific research paper in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on October 17, 2022. This study found a correlation between using hair straighteners and an increased risk of developing uterine cancer.
The study identified one of the components in hair straighteners as the culprit: endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The endocrine system controls the body’s homeostasis (balance) and hormone production. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals alter the interactions of hormones in the body.
Because of this effect on hormones, endocrine-disrupting chemicals have numerous recognized adverse health consequences, including the following:
- Abnormalities in sex hormones
- Altered function of the nervous system
- Cardiovascular issues
- Certain types of cancers
- Diabetes
- Early puberty
- Endometriosis
- Growth disabilities
- Immune function
- Learning disabilities
- Metabolic issues
- Neurological disabilities
- Obesity
- Respiratory problems
The October 2022 study found evidence that the endocrine-disrupting chemicals in hair straightener products contributed to the risk of developing uterine cancer.
The study occurred over a period of almost 11 years. There were close to 34,000 participants between the ages of 35 and 74. There were 378 cases of uterine cancer reported among the participants. More uterine cancer diagnoses were reported in women who used hair straightener products than in women who never used hair relaxers. This risk of uterine cancer was higher when the frequency of hair straightener product use increased.
The study concluded that 1.64 percent of women who never used hair straightener products would be diagnosed with uterine cancer by age 70. This percentage disturbingly increased to 4.05 percent in women who frequently used hair straightener products.
Previous studies also found possible links between the increased risk of breast cancer and the use of hair straightener products ( Cancer Medicine, March 2016) and the increased risk of uterine fibroids and the use of hair straightener products ( American Journal of Epidemiology, March 2012).
Did L’Oréal know their products cause cancer?
If L’Oréal did know its hair straightening products caused cancer, it would be liable on several counts to the women who used the products and then experienced harm. But whether L’Oréal knew its hair straightener caused cancer and other health problems is still in question. However, some research studies have identified a correlation between the chemicals in hair straightener products and cancer.
CAMG Helps Law Firms Generate L’Oréal Hair Straightener Cases
There are many tools and marketing strategies personal injury law firms can utilize to attract potential plaintiffs for the hair straightener cancer lawsuits. Possible media outlets include television advertisements, paid search, and paid social media ads. Using search engine optimization (SEO) can also help increase web clicks to your practice’s website.
CAMG is an advertising agency that serves law firms. We can help you establish and run mass tort campaigns. We have the knowledge and resources to tailor advertising strategies to your law firm and the case in question.
We will work tirelessly and efficiently to build a competent and strategic mass tort campaign to attract potential clients. That way, you can focus your energy, time, and resources on fighting for justice for your clients.
If your firm is interested in acquiring chemical hair straightener cancer cases, do not hesitate to contact us today.
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