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Chemical Hair Relaxer Uterine Cancer Lawsuit

If you were injured due to someone else's negligence, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact one of our experienced lawyers at (561) 293-2600 for legal advice and representation.

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Woman is using a hair relaxer, not knowing the dangerous side effects. She may be eligible for a chemical hair relaxer uterine cancer lawsuit.Osborne & Francis
Legally Reviewed By
Greg Francis

Hire a Lawyer: Hair Straightener Uterine Cancer Lawsuits

You would expect products such as chemical hair straighteners to be safe for use. However, new data links these products with increased risk of uterine cancer. Read on to learn more about your rights if you have been affected.

A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute has connected the use of chemical hair straightener or relaxer products with double the risk of uterine cancer in women.

This risk applies to “frequent users of chemical relaxers,” which the study defined as anyone who treated their hair with chemical straightening products at least four times within a year. Frequent users include specific demographics of the population, namely, black women.  

Such products are typically used to help style curly or wavy hair. However, their repeated use is now believed to put users at increased risk for uterine cancer and other health hazards.

If you or a loved one used chemical hair straightening products and were diagnosed with uterine cancer afterwards, you may be eligible for significant compensation for your losses. Contact the lawyers of Osborne & Francis at (561) 293-2600 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to discuss your options.

Video Transcript

So you've been in a car accident. What happens next? There are many things that you should do but here are the three most important:

Number One: See a doctor immediately. 

A broken bone is easy to see, but some injuries are not. The most common injuries from car accidents happen in the neck, back, or head. The only way to diagnose and treat them is by seeing a doctor. A doctor can help ease the pain, provide medication, reassure you of how your injury may impact your daily life, and tell you what not to do to make it worse.

A visit to the doctor can also give you legally protected time off to recover and rest your body after an accident, and it documents and provides the evidence you may need for your case. Even a five-mile-per-hour car accident can cause a serious injury. So whether you've had a severe accident or a minor collision, see a doctor. And if you don't have medical insurance, let us know and we'll make sure that you receive the proper care. 

Number Two: Write everything down.

Even if it seems small, during times of stress or injury it is common to forget the little details. Make sure you keep note of the pain that you're in. With neck, back, and head injuries, sometimes simple activities such as walking up the stairs or picking up a toddler may cause severe pain. 

You may not be sleeping well at night. Documenting how much you sleep and how often you wake up due to pain is also very important. And lastly, if you have any cuts or bruises, take daily photos as you heal. This will provide visual evidence of the injuries that you've suffered. 

Number Three: Do not speak to an insurance company until you've spoken to a lawyer.

Please understand that the insurance adjuster works for a billion-dollar corporation and not for you. Their interests are solely for their insurance company, and their goal is to provide you with the least amount of financial settlement as quickly as possible. When you do speak with them, remember they will record the conversation. Why do they do this? Because they've been trained to ask questions that may confuse you. So talk to us before you talk to them. 

So remember: See a doctor, document everything, and call us before calling the insurance company for your free private consultation. We are here for you. Real tough lawyers fighting real tough issues.

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What Damages Are Available in a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

While each case may vary, the damages from a chemical hair straightener lawsuit can provide much-needed financial relief for the injured person and their family.

Damages can cover costs like:

  • Medical costs and hospital bills
  • Expenses associated with medications and rehab treatments
  • Travel costs to and from treatment (often daily or weekly visits)
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of the ability to generate future income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of companionship and intimacy
  • In certain cases, wrongful death costs

The costs and expenses associated with uterine and breast cancer treatments can be overwhelming. Treatment may extend over long periods of time, and will often involve repeat visits to the doctor. Get in touch with a lawyer soon so you don’t miss your opportunity to file a legal claim.

At Osborne & Francis, we have a proven track record of obtaining highly favorable and significant verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients.

Can Hair Relaxers Cause Cancer?

Chemical Hair Straightener Usage and Uterine Cancer Statistics

You may be wondering, “can hair straighteners cause cancer?” The aforementioned study reviewed data from the larger Sister Study at the National Cancer Institute. It followed 33,947 U.S. women for 11 years to identify factors for cancer and other health risks.

The study found 378 cases of uterine diagnosis. Only 1.64% of women who never used hair straightening products developed uterine cancer by age 70. However, 4.05% of women who reported using chemical hair straighteners developed uterine cancer by age 70.

This essentially indicates that uterine cancer rates may be doubled for users of chemical hair straightening and relaxer products. “The doubling rate is concerning,” said Dr. Alexandra White, lead author of the study.

Black Women May Be Affected Most Heavily By Chemical Hair Straightening Products

Black women make up the main consumer demographic for chemical hair relaxing products. This is due to societal pressures to conform to Western beauty standards, as well as desires for more cosmetic options.

This particular demographic consumes chemical hair straightening products more than women of other races. Black women constituted just 7.4% of those in the study, yet they accounted for 60% of those who reported using chemical hair straightener products in the previous year.

Not only that, they begin using them much earlier in life, and may use multiple different products at the same time. This combination of factors may place black women at increased risk of developing uterine cancer from chemical hair relaxing products.

“Because Black women use hair straightening or relaxer products more frequently, and tend to initiate use at earlier ages than other races and ethnicities, these findings may be even more relevant for them” - Che-Jung, Ph.D., co-author of the study and a research fellow at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.


What Are the Symptoms of Uterine Cancer? How Do I Know if I Should File a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

Uterine Cancer Signs & Symptoms

You should seek medical treatment immediately if you used a chemical hair straightener or relaxer product and are noticing any of these symptoms:

  • Pain or cramping in the pelvic region or the area below your belly
  • Frequent or prolonged vaginal bleeding, especially for women over the age of 40
  • Vaginal bleeding or spotting between periods (before or after menopause)
  • Unusual or abnormal discharge in postmenopausal women

The chemical compounds in hair relaxer products are being linked with many medical conditions and emergencies, including uterine fibroids, preterm deliveries, endometriosis, and breast cancer.

In addition to seeking medical treatment, you should speak with a lawyer to learn what you can do about filing a lawsuit. Your attorney can help trace the injuries to the product(s) that caused the medical condition. They can also research the laws to determine what compensation you may be eligible for.

You should contact an attorney as soon as possible, as filing deadlines and other restrictions may apply.

How Can an Attorney Help Me? 

A lawyer can help provide the legal services and skills that the average citizen just isn’t trained to handle. Your attorney can help by: 

  • Reviewing the facts surrounding your cancer diagnosis
  • Researching the laws that apply to your claim
  • Gathering the necessary evidence and documents 
  • Negotiating with the other side on your behalf
  • Formulating a strong legal strategy for trial
  • Obtaining the maximum amount of damages available under law

It may be difficult to approach a hair straightener uterine cancer lawsuit on your own. Contact the attorneys at Osborne & Francis for a free, no-obligation consultation to review your case.

What chemicals are in hair straightener products?
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Contact a Lawyer and Join Others Who Are Pursuing Justice

You are not alone in your struggles.

The new data provided by the study is cause for concern. Such risks should not be present in everyday consumer items, and manufacturers should be held responsible for allowing such products to be used without proper warnings.

Many people are suffering needlessly due to the dangers caused by chemical hair straighteners. Join the many others who are already pursuing the legal solutions provided by the court system.

If you or a loved one used a chemical hair straightener product and were diagnosed with uterine cancer or other medical conditions, contact us at (561) 293-2600. We have offices in Boca Raton, Orlando, and Lakeland. As a black-owned law firm, we take these issues to heart and are on hand to assist and protect our communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chemicals are in hair straightener products?

Harmful chemicals in hair straightener products may include toxic metals (like arsenic, chromium, and lead), paraben preservatives, formaldehyde, and Bisphenol A (BPA), which is an industrial chemical is used in making polycarbonate plastic. These chemicals can be absorbed through the thin skin of the scalp, and ​​may cause cancer due to certain endocrine disruptors they contain.

How long will a hair relaxer lawsuit take?

This depends — each injury lawsuit is different and may involve different facts and legal issues. Many defective product cases can be resolved within months, while others might take a year or longer to complete. While the legal process can take some time, a damages award can help tremendously to offset the expenses associated with years of treatment, pain, and suffering.

What evidence can be used to prove a hair straightener cancer case?

Various forms of evidence can be used to support a hair straightener claim, including medical records and hospital bills, receipts for product purchases, work pay stubs for lost wages, and expert witness testimony.

At Osborne & Francis, our attorneys understand you may currently be going through physical and emotional challenges. Don’t worry — it’s our job as lawyers to gather evidence, not yours, so you can focus on recovery and healing.

When should I file a hair straightener uterine cancer lawsuit?

If you have been diagnosed with uterine cancer after using a hair straightener product, you should contact a lawyer immediately to discuss filing a lawsuit. Filing deadlines (called the “statute of limitations”) will apply to these cases; once the filing window closes, you may lose your ability to collect damages.Additionally, the longer you wait to file a claim, the more difficult it becomes to obtain medical reports and documents. Contact a lawyer at Osborne Francis at (561) 293-2600 now to discuss your legal rights and options.