Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

Were you diagnosed with ovarian, uterine, endometrial, or other reproductive cancer after the long-term use of a chemical hair relaxer? If so, you may have a claim for compensation. Filing a hair relaxer lawsuit is a way to seek compensation for the harm you endured and hold the responsible manufacturers accountable.

Women nationwide are filing lawsuits against major cosmetics companies for marketing and selling products that contain dangerous chemicals. You may be eligible to join the ongoing hair relaxer class action or file your own independent state claim. Contact Greenspan & Greenspan today to discuss your options. 

What Are Chemical Hair Relaxer Products?

Chemical hair relaxers are commonly used in the beauty and hair industry to straighten or “relax” curly hair. Specifically, the active agent in the product is usually a strong alkali used to break down the proteins in the hair, allowing it to become straighter. These products are heavily marketed to women and young girls. Because prolonged, repeated use of these relaxers poses the greatest risk, starting them at a young age and continuing with regular use over several years can lead to significant harm. Major manufacturers include:

• Dabur USA,
• Dark & Lovely,
• Just for Me,
• L’Oréal,
• Namaste Laboratories,
• ORS Olive Oil Relaxer,
• SoftSheen-Carson, and
• Strength of Nature.

These and other companies are facing a nationwide hair relaxer class action lawsuit,  as well as independent state claims, alleging they knowingly sold dangerous products without warning users of the potential cancer risks.

What Toxic Chemicals Are In Hair Relaxers?

Chemical hair relaxers contain numerous toxic chemicals, some of which you may recognize by name, while many you probably have never heard of. These products often contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and known carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals), including:

• Bisphenol A (BPA),
• Diethanolamine (DEA),
• Formaldehyde,
• Metals and synthetic fragrances,
• Parabens,
• Phthalates, and
• Triclosan.

Because hair relaxers are applied to the hair and scalp, these chemicals are absorbed through the skin, especially if the individual has an open scratch, cut, or irritation on their scalp. 

Once absorbed through the skin, these chemicals can disrupt regular hormone activity and damage the endocrine system. This is one of the leading contributing factors to reproductive cancers.

These cancers can result in:

• Having to undergo chemotherapy and radiation;
• A hysterectomy or loss of fertility;
• Chronic pain and suffering; and 
• In some cases, death.

The severity of disease, survivability, and overall harm suffered vary widely among the hundreds of plaintiffs. Speaking with an experienced legal team can provide a better understanding of your potential claim in the chemical hair relaxer lawsuit.

What is the Connection Between Hair Relaxers and Cancer?

In 2022, a pivotal National Institutes of Health (NIH) study revealed that women who used chemical hair straighteners or relaxers at least four times per year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer as women who never used these products. This research established one of the strongest links between hair relaxers and cancer, confirming suspicions that have circulated among users and health advocates for years.

Additional studies have reported similar findings, showing increased risks of ovarian and endometrial cancers, particularly among women who started using relaxers during adolescence and continued for many years.

These findings have become central to hair relaxer cancer lawsuits, which allege that major manufacturers failed to warn consumers about the dangers associated with the chemicals in their products. Women diagnosed with cancer after years of using hair relaxers may be eligible to pursue compensation for their medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.

What Damages Could You Recover?

If your claim is successful, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for your harm. In most cases, recoverable damages fall into two main categories: economic and noneconomic.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the financial consequences of an injury. These costs are typically easier to calculate and can be verified through medical records, receipts, or pay statements.

Examples of economic damages include:

• Current and future medical treatment and rehabilitation costs,
• Income lost while recovering and reduced future earning capacity,
• Loss of employer-sponsored health insurance or job benefits, and
• Out-of-pocket expenses related to travel for treatment or caregivers.

The total amount of financial compensation can vary greatly depending on the facts of each case.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages recognize how your illness has affected your well-being and quality of life.

Examples include:

• Physical pain and ongoing discomfort;
• Anxiety, depression, or emotional trauma;
• Loss of companionship or strain on family relationships; and
• Reduced ability to enjoy daily activities or hobbies.

An attorney experienced in mass tort and product liability cases can help identify and pursue the full range of compensation you may be entitled to. 

Every case is unique; the damages available will depend on your specific circumstances and evidence. Partnering with a knowledgeable attorney can help ensure that no loss, financial, emotional, or personal, is overlooked. With skilled legal guidance, you can pursue the maximum compensation available and focus on rebuilding your life after your injury.

Is There a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Update?

Many wonder, when will the hair relaxer lawsuit be settled? It is difficult to say for sure. These cases are still ongoing. As of October 2025, over 10,500 hair relaxer lawsuits have been consolidated in federal court as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL). No settlements have been reached, and no trials have been completed.

How Long Do You Have to File a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit? 

Typically, in New York, you have three years from the date of injury to initiate a lawsuit. However, several exceptions could substantially alter that deadline, which is why it is essential to consult with a lawyer as soon as possible. Missing your filing deadline can prevent you from pursuing financial recovery altogether. 

New York Lawyers Helping Those Injured

At Greenspan & Greenspan, we have decades of experience helping individuals harmed by products they trusted. If you or a loved one developed cancer after using a hair relaxer treatment, we will help you seek justice and compensation. Contact us to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers to discuss your chemical hair relaxer lawsuit.