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Hair relaxer lawsuits – Concerns, eligibility, and compensation

Hair relaxer lawsuits – Concerns, eligibility, and compensation

Hair relaxers are lotions or creams meant to loosen up the curl pattern for people with extremely curly hair. They are used to make it easy to straighten and manage hair. Relaxers work by penetrating the cuticle and cortex layers of the hair shaft to break the curl pattern. Despite their popularity, hair relaxers can be damaging as they may dry hair out, burn surrounding skin, lead to scalp damage, or cause hair loss.

What are hair relaxer claims?
In recent years, there has been growing concern about the ingredients used in hair relaxers and other beauty products. Many studies have warned about the presence of hormone-disrupting and carcinogenic (or cancer-causing) chemicals in such products, which can be linked to life-threatening diseases. One such study has drawn a potential link between the use of relaxers and the increased occurrence of uterine cancer. This is associated with the presence of phthalate metabolites used in hair-relaxing products. Due to such health risks, many law firms are investigating hair relaxer and straightening lawsuits and claims.

Concerns
Apart from the doubled risk of uterine cancer, especially in African-American women, several other health concerns are associated with chemical straighteners or hair relaxers. These include the risk of:

Breast cancer: According to a study, African-American women who used chemical relaxers were at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than those who did not. This risk increased with the prolonged use of hair relaxers. This risk has been linked to the disruption in the development of breast tissue and hormone imbalances.

Ovarian cancer: Due to their chemical composition, certain hair relaxers have also been reported to cause an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Uterine fibroids: Studies have also linked chemical relaxers to the occurrence of uterine fibroids, or non-cancerous growths in the uterus. It is suspected that the chemicals in the relaxers are absorbed through the scalp and disrupt regular reproductive functioning, leading to cysts or fibroids.

Endometriosis: While this is still being researched, preliminary studies have shown that chemical relaxers may be able to damage the uterus lining and mimic hormones that could lead to endometriosis.

Preterm delivery: Hair relaxers have also been linked to preterm deliveries. This link comes from introductory research based on the hypothesis that hair relaxers contain endocrine disruptors, which may impact pregnancies.

Who can file a hair relaxer claim?
You may qualify for compensation if you have been diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions after short-term or long-term use of chemical relaxers and have sustained meaningful losses (financial, physical, or emotional). This includes being affected by uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, preterm delivery, and uterine sarcoma.

Here are some examples of damages that may be claimed in a chemical relaxer lawsuit:

Medical bills : Lab tests, imaging, treatments, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, hospital stays

Job-related losses : Lost wages, reduced earning capacity, missed promotions

Emotional loss: Pain and suffering, loss of quality of life

Wrongful death : Loss of consortium, loss of parental guidance and instruction, loss of services and support, funeral and burial costs

To protect some of these claims, it is important to see a doctor as soon as symptoms appear and to continue regular consultations after that. Failure to do so may be seen as negligence of health and used by the representatives of defendants to fortify their case.

How to file a claim?
If you are seeking compensation for hair relaxer claims, begin by seeking medical attention. Next, approach a personal injury lawyer accepting hair relaxer claims. These lawyers are likely to have experience and be well-equipped to handle negotiations with manufacturers and insurance companies to offer you the best possible compensation. Beginning this process early is key to receiving the right compensation.

How much can one get in a hair relaxer lawsuit?
While these numbers vary on a case-by-case basis, here are some estimated figures for hair relaxer settlements:

Uterine cancer lawsuit: $300,000 to $1,750,000
Ovarian cancer lawsuit: $400,000 to $750,000
Breast cancer lawsuit: $180,000 to $750,000
Endometriosis lawsuit: $110,000 to $300,000
Uterine fibroid lawsuit: $175,000 to $500,000

As several statute limitations apply to product liability claims, it is important to stay aware, adhere to these guidelines, and not miss any deadlines.

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