The Birmingham hair relaxer lawsuit lawyers at Fob James Law Firm are representing victims that have been diagnosed with cancers caused by hair relaxer products. This includes uterine, ovarian and endometrial cancer.
Our biggest concern is making sure you get the justice and the compensation that you deserve. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Contact our experienced hair relaxer cancer attorneys in Birmingham, AL for a free case evaluation.
What Is A Chemical Hair Relaxer?
“Hair relaxer” is the general term for a product that makes curly or textured hair smooth and straight.
Chemical hair relaxers contain strong chemicals to help relax and straighten hair strands. The chemicals in these products include sodium hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate, guanidine carbonate, lithium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium thioglycolate, and Di-2- ethylhexyl phthalate (“DEHP”).
The hair relaxer product is applied to wet or damp hair and brushed through strands of hair for about ten minutes. This process helps break down protein bonds in the hair, allowing it to be shaped more smoothly.
Basically, long-term use of hair relaxers exposes the user to chemicals that are linked to cancer and other injuries.
If you think you may have been injured due to long term hair relaxer use, call us at 866-837-1010 to schedule your free consultation with a Birmingham hair relaxer attorney.
What Cancers Are Linked To Hair Relaxer Products?
The known injuries caused by hair relaxer products are evolving. For now, the focus of the hair relaxer lawsuit is on the following injuries:
- uterine cancer
- endometrial cancer
- ovarian cancer
Which Hair Relaxer Products Are Linked To Cancer?
The following hair relaxer or straightener products may cause cancer:
- Dark & Lovely, Ultra Sheet, etc. by L’Oréal
- ORS Olive Oil Hair Relaxer by Namaste, LLC
- Just for Me by TCB Naturals/Godrej Consumer Products
- Motions by Strength of Nature Global, LLC
- Hair Straightener Products by Optimum Salon and others
Note that these are name brand products. Your hair relaxer product could be the same product on the list but marketed under a different name.
If you are unsure whether your product qualifies contact our firm and we will investigate free of charge.
The Risk Of Cancer Is Real
Recent studies have linked the chemicals used in hair relaxers to uterine, ovarian and breast cancer. The linkage between hair relaxers and cancer is relatively new, so we predict that evidence linking hair relaxers to cancer will continue to develop.
Additionally, the chemical used in hair relaxers called DEHP is particularly concerning. DEHP is considered a probable human carcinogen, and it is known to cause significant adverse-health effects.
Uterine Cancer
A recent National Institutes of Health study estimated that 1.64% of women who never used hair straighteners would go on to develop uterine cancer by the age of 70. However, the risk of uterine cancer for frequent users of hair relaxer products went up to 4.05%.
Ovarian Cancer
The National Center for Biotechnology Information released a study reflecting that frequent use of straighteners/relaxers was associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
What Can I Recover From A Birmingham Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
Every case is unique, but people who successfully file product liability lawsuits can recover money for the following damages:
- PAST AND FUTURE MEDICAL BILLS (INCLUDING MEDICATION, HOSPITAL STAYS, AND IN-HOME CARE)
- PAIN AND SUFFERING
- LOST WAGES
- LOSS OF EARNING CAPACITY
- FUNERAL EXPENSES (IN THE VENT OF A LOVED ONE’S DEATH)
- BROADLY SPEAKING, A PLAINTIFF COULD BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION FOR ANY PAST AND FUTURE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR CANCER DIAGNOSIS
Who Qualifies for the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
Women who have used hair relaxer or straightener products for long periods and subsequently been diagnosed with uterine, ovarian or breast cancer may qualify for compensation.
To see if your case qualifies for the hair relaxer lawsuit, contact Fob James Law firm today.
What Are the Attorney Fees to Hire A Hair Relaxer Cancer Attorney in Birmingham?
Fob James Law Firm operates on the contingency-fee-basis. This means we only get paid a percentage of the recovery if we successfully resolve your case. Our fees come out of a favorable settlement or jury award, not out of your pocket. Importantly, if we do not obtain a recovery then you owe us nothing.
Many clients have told us that other firms are charging 40% to 45% contingency fees in the hair relaxer lawsuit.
Fob James Law Firm charges hair relaxer lawsuit clients a 35% contingency fee. Accordingly, our fee is 35% of the total amount recovered in your case.
To speak with one of our experienced hair relaxer lawyers in Birmingham, call us today at 205-407-6009.
How Long Do I Have To File A Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
Every jurisdiction is different so make sure you consult with an attorney about how long you have to file a lawsuit.
In Birmingham, you generally have two years from the date of discovery of your hair relaxer related injury to file a lawsuit.
How Do I Join The Hair Relaxer Lawsuit In Birmingham?
It is simple to join the hair relaxer lawsuit. Call us today or submit your contact information and one of our experienced attorneys will call you to discuss your case.
We represent hair relaxer victims in all states. It does not matter where you live.
Regardless of your location, all hair relaxer cases are filed in the MDL, which is federal court.
When Will The Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Be Settled?
No one knows if or when the hair relaxer lawsuits will settle. The MDL (consolidation) was formed in February 2023 so the litigation is at the beginning stages.
In large mass tort cases such as this, there are large battles that must be won before settlement. These battles take time.
For example, we believe the defendants will attack causation (i.e. that the chemicals caused the underlying injuries) early on. This issue alone could take over a year to litigate.
Ultimately, we believe the Court will schedule “bellwether” trials which are like test trials. These trials give plaintiffs and defendants a good barometer on value and strength of certain types of cases. If plaintiffs are successful in bellwether trials, the defendants may be inclined to explore settlement.
This is completely speculative but we believe the time frame for settlement could be 2-4 years. Although several years sounds like a long time, this is standard for large MDLs.
Hair Relaxer Class Action Lawsuit Updates
Updates on the hair relaxer lawsuit will be posted in this section throughout the litigation. The litigation is in the early stages so we have a long way to go.
November 1, 2023 – New Study Links Hair Relaxers With Cancer
A new study released by Black Women’s Health Study suggests that the use of relaxers increases the chance of estrogen-dependent cancers. For example, the study concluded that long-term use of chemical hair relaxers was associated with a 50% increased risk of uterine cancer among postmenopausal women.
October 20, 2023 – FDA Proposes Banning Hair Relaxers With Formaldehyde
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to ban hair relaxers containing the chemical formaldehyde. This chemical has been linked to cancer and other adverse health issues. The proposed ban is expected to take place in April 2024.
September 3, 2023 – Plaintiffs’ Leadership Focusing On Three Types of Cancer
One common question we get from potential clients is if uterine fibroids qualifies for the MDL. At this point the evidence is much stronger for uterine, ovarian and endometrial cancers. The Plaintiffs’ leadership committee in the MDL is currently not pursuing uterine fibroids as a qualifying condition. This could change down the line but for now it looks like the focus of the litigation will be on uterine, ovarian or endometrial cancers.
August 5, 2023 – Judge Rowland Approves Short Form Complaint
The Court approved a Short Form Complaint (“SFC”) for future plaintiffs to use when they file their claims with the MDL. Now, claimants have the option to file a pre-approved complaint rather than a long form complaint. This simplifies the filing process.
July 4, 2023 – Defendants Move to Bifurcate Discovery
Defendants filed a motion to bifurcate discovery, which would stay general discovery. In other words, Defendants are seeking to only allow specific discovery on medical causation to go forward. Medical causation is the issue of connecting the chemical to the harm (cancer). This is basically a delay tactic. If discovery is limited to just one issue for the foreseeable future, the overall case would be delayed.
June 3, 2023 – Party Briefs Due On Medical Causation
On June 5, 2023, plaintiffs and defendants must file briefs with the Court addressing medical causation issues. Medical causation has to do with evidence linking the hair relaxer products to the underlying injuries. So far, the evidence linking hair relaxer products to uterine cancer is very strong. It will be interesting to see how defendants argue against causation.
May 1, 2023 – UK Group Calls for Removal of Toxic Ingredients from Hair Relaxers
As lawsuits against hair relaxer makers continue to grow, the UK-based group Level Up has called for L’Oréal and other brands to remove toxic ingredients from their products. In an open letter to L’Oréal, Level Up asks, “Why are lye-based L’Oréal products still being sold when they are risking Black women’s health around the world?” The group challenges “L’Oréal to lead the way in the beauty industry by taking responsibility for the harms caused by your products.”
April 1, 2023 – Direct Filing Order
Judge Rowland approved a streamlined process for new complaints file by Plaintiffs. This means that Plaintiffs can now file claims directly filed into the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL), to avoid delays and costs associated with transferring claims from different federal district courts nationwide.
March 21, 2023 – Joint Status Report and Proposed Order on Direct Filing
According to the parties’ most recent joint status report, plaintiffs and defendants are required to submit a proposed order to the court by March 31st on direct filing. If granted, the order will allow plaintiffs to file hair relaxer lawsuits directly into the hair relaxer multi-district litigation (MDL).
Direct filing will simplify and streamline the filing process for new plaintiffs while also making it less expensive than filing a standard federal court lawsuit. This is obviously a very important and necessary step in building the litigation into a major MDL. The proposed order will most likely include a registry system, short form and long form complaint, and plaintiff and defendant fact sheet process similar to many other MDLs.
The joint status report also addresses the possibility of bifurcating (i.e., front loading) the issue of general causation. In layman’s terms, “general causation” is simply the question of whether these hair relaxer products cause uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other harmful ailments or medical conditions.
The process of front loading the question of general damages is precisely what occurred in the Zantac litigation which ultimately led to an early dismissal in favor of defendants. Time will tell if the hair relaxer MDL’s presiding judge, Judge Mary Rowland (a Trump appointee) follows the same path as the Zantac litigation. Either way, we expect this to be the first major battle of the litigation so far.
March 1, 2023 – First Status Conference in the MDL:
Judge Mary Rowland will hold the first status conference on March 2, 2023 with all parties in the new hair relaxer Multi District Litigation (“MDL”). The main concern of the status conference is to discuss preliminary scheduling and the process by which plaintiffs’ counsel leadership committees will be selected.
February 6, 2023 – The MDL is officially formed:
The JPML officially approved Multi District Litigation for the hair relaxer lawsuit in Illinois. A MDL is where many cases are consolidated into one single master case for efficiency purposes. The case has been assigned to Judge Mary Rowland in the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago.
Why Our Hair Relaxer Attorneys are the Top Choice in Birmingham
For more than 40 years, the attorneys at Fob James Law Firm have been fighting for victims of fraud and injuries.
We work closely with each of our clients, ensuring they receive personalized attention. With our firm, you will actually speak with your dedicated lawyer not an assistant.
We make sure that we do not take so many cases that we do not have time to get to know our clients on a personal basis. Knowing what our clients are going through helps us more effectively advocate on their behalf.
We move fast. We do not sit on cases. When we take your case we aggressively work your case from day one to ensure you get the compensation you deserve as soon as possible.
We are not afraid to take your case to trial. As trial lawyers we love to litigate cases in courthouses across the country.
We never charge fees up front. If we do not win your case you owe us nothing.
Our case results and client testimonials speak for themselves. Call us today to schedule your free consultation and case review
Contact a Hair Relaxer Lawyer Near Me In Birmingham
At Fob James Law Firm, our job is to help you to the best of our ability and fight for you. If you’ve suffered cancer as a result of using hair relaxer or straightener products, you should contact our hair relaxer attorneys immediately.
We can determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit or not. It won’t cost you anything to speak with us. Additionally, you’ll never pay us anything until we successfully settle or win your case in court.
Our Birmingham hair relaxer lawyers are experienced, dedicated, and they truly care about you. We treat all of our clients exactly how we would want our own family members to be treated.
Contact us right now at 205-407-6009 or set up a free case evaluation so we can help you.