Endometrial Cancer Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Most endometrial cancer hair relaxer lawsuits are part of a broader federal court process against cosmetic companies. Cosmetic companies that make and sell chemical hair relaxers are being sued by users of the product. The users are women who believe the product may have contributed to their cancer or led to serious surgery. Many of the individuals who have filed lawsuits claiming harm from hair relaxers are black women.

In fact, there were so many lawsuits that the government decided to consolidate them into a single court process. This is called a Multidistrict Litigation, or MDL for short.

Basically, the MDL still keeps everyone’s individual case separate but combines the discovery phase of the lawsuit and some other proceedings. This lessens the burden on the parties involved and saves resources since all the lawsuits share some evidence.

The MDL is being handled in the Northern District of Illinois federal court. You can check out the official government home to the MDL here.

People bringing these lawsuits generally claim that:

• hair relaxer products contained chemicals that may act as “endocrine disruptors.” (Endocrine disruptors interfere with hormones involved in reproductive health.)
• Hair relaxer makers may have known about the risks. Even if they didn’t, plaintiffs argue they had a duty to know.
• warnings on product labels and in marketing materials were allegedly not enough.
• safer formulations of the product or clearer warnings might have reduced the risk of harm.

Example Endometrial Cancer Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

This article in ESSENCE mentions a hair stylist who filed a hair relaxer lawsuit. She alleges use of hair relaxers led to her endometrial cancer diagnosis. The article also details how numerous other women have filed similar lawsuits.

The lawsuits are still ongoing, with attorneys expecting trials to begin in 2026.

This section reviews who may be eligible to file a endometrial cancer hair relaxer lawsuit.

Winder Law Firm is gathering information from individuals with potential legal claims who have been diagnosed with certain health conditions. Inquiries may be shared with a partner law firm under a marketing arrangement.

Before we further discuss lawsuits, lets review some facts about endometrial cancer.

About Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer begins in lining of the uterus, also known as the endometrium. Endometrial cancer is a form of uterine cancer.

This type of cancer can often be detected at an early stage. This is because it usually causes visible and noticeable symptoms, including irregular vaginal bleeding.

Endometrial cancer develops when DNA changes cause endometrial cells to grow uncontrollably.

Factors that can increase risk include:

• Hormone imbalances involving estrogen and progesterone
• Age
• Obesity
• Certain medical conditions

Several scientific studies have looked at potential associations between chemical hair relaxer use and cancer risk. Its important to keep in mind the research described below reports on associations, not proven direct causation. Courts have not made a final ruling on the alleged medical cause of endometrial cancer from hair relaxer use.

Uterine Cancer Study

Many uterine cancer studies focus on endometrial cancer as the primary subtype.

In 2022, the National Institute of Health concluded a study on hair relaxer use and uterine cancer. The study reported that women who used hair relaxers four or more times per year had about double the risk of uterine cancer than non-users.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, this primarily included endometrial cancer.

Media Reports on Uterine Cancer

This article from ABC News states that some research links chemical hair relaxers to endometrial cancer. The article reports that chemical relaxers may contain:

• phthalates and parabens, which are endocrine disrupting chemicals
• formaldehyde and heavy metals, which have been linked to cancer risk

Black women are the most likely group to use chemical hair straightening products. Whats more, is their use of these products usually begins at a young age.

Lawsuits allege that black women in the United States can be subject to racial bias concerning their hair. This topic has been widely researched. Surveys of black women and girls have documented widespread reported hair-based discrimination.

A 2021 study reported that:

• 66 percent of Black and Brown girls in White-majority settings reported experiencing hair discrimination.
• 45 percent of school-aged girls of color reported experiencing hair discrimination.
• Almost 50% of Black mothers surveyed reported unfair treatment because of their hair.

Lawsuits argue that women of color live in a social context that pressures them to conform to Eurocentric beauty norms. This allegedly includes straightening their hair, which is also detailed in this NYU publication.

The lawsuits claim that hair relaxer companies leveraged these social pressures in their marketing. Many hair relaxer companies allegedly presented straight hair as more acceptable in their sales copy and imagery.

Lawsuits allege that relaxer marketing relied on Eurocentric beauty standards and presented straight hair as more acceptable for work or school. Women suing describe these pressures as contributing factors to long-term relaxer use.

In addition, many of these products were purposefully marketed to little girls. Lawsuits argue that these practices of targeting children with marketing contributed to early and long term generational relaxer use.

Many people ask how did this even happen? Don’t we have government agencies that regulate the safety of cosmetics?

In fact, the FDA states that they don’t review cosmetic products before they hit the market.

Historically, cosmetics makers have not been required to submit safety testing or ingredient data for review prior to selling products.

The FDA typically takes action after it learns a product is unsafe. That said, under the law, cosmetic companies are still required to make sure their products are safe.

In 2022, the FDA’s cosmetic oversight authority was expanded with a new law.

The FDA has also warned that some hair-smoothing products can release formaldehyde upon being heated. There are currently ongoing discussions and new rules surrounding formaldehyde in hair products.

People suing cite these alleged regulatory limits in lawsuits against hair relaxer makers. They claim these are gaps in federal oversight for products used frequently and over long periods.

Now we will discuss how to file a hair relaxer lawsuit for endometrial cancer.

Claim Filing Process

A potentially qualified individual who wants to begin an endometrial cancer hair relaxer lawsuit claim may follow these steps. Please note that the process is largely focused on eligibility review.

• Step 1: Get in touch with a law firm that handles hair relaxer cancer lawsuits.
• Step 2: Collect evidence. Click here to view possible evidence one may want to gather.
• Step 3: If you qualify, an attorney may file your individual lawsuit. Your individual lawsuit could be transferred into the MDL.

Note: Hiring a lawyer is not a requirement to file a claim. Some people find legal guidance helpful for understanding their rights, the deadlines, gathering evidence and lawsuit process.

Settlement Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique, and compensation depends on individual circumstances.

An individual whose case results in a favorable legal outcome may be entitled to compensation. This depends on the facts of their individual lawsuit and circumstances.

Please note that there is no set payout amount for this type of lawsuit. The lawsuits are currency ongoing and have not been resolved.

Potential settlement values cannot be predicted. Anyone who says they can predict settlement values is purely speculating at this stage.

Some factors may impact the amount of compensation that one may be awarded in lawsuits of this nature. These may include:

• The type and stage of Endometrial Cancer
• The treatments involved, which may include hysterectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, or other therapies
• Medical bills and projected expenses for expected future care
• Impact on reproductive ability and family planning
• Lost income or reduced earning capacity
• Physical pain and emotional distress
• The strength of evidence linking chemical relaxer exposure and the diagnosis

Note: Fill out the form or call to see if legal options may be available. Inquiries will be shared with a partner law firm under a marketing arrangement to assist with next steps.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer after frequent or long term chemical hair relaxer use?

To learn more about your legal options, you can request a free case evaluation today.