Hair Relaxer Product Users are Reporting Uterine Fibroids and Many Types of Cancer
The chemical hair relaxers typically used by Black women to straighten their hair contain harmful substances that increase the risk of cancer and damage to the reproductive system. The makers of chemical hair relaxer products neglected to warn women of the increased risk they were facing by repeatedly using these products. As a result, these hair relaxer product manufacturers may be held liable for paying the financial damages their users suffered through product liability lawsuits.
As a result of developing health issues like uterine fibroids and reproductive cancers, women have been forced to seek invasive and painful treatments, including hysterectomies. For many women, that means significant medical bills, lost wages, and extreme emotional distress. If you have undergone a hysterectomy to treat uterine fibroids or cancer caused by prolonged use of chemical hair relaxers, Dolman Law Group would like to speak with you. We encourage you to reach out to our team to schedule a free consultation to determine what damages you may be eligible to recover.
Long-Term Use of Chemical Hair Relaxers Can Cause Cancers and Uterine Fibroids
More than 100 women across the country have filed hair relaxer cancer lawsuits in response to scientific confirmation that the long-term use of chemical hair relaxers increases a woman's risk of developing cancer and other reproductive health issues. Researchers with the National Health Institute released a report that cautioned women against the heavy use of these products, as they found that 4 or more applications a year doubled a woman’s chances of uterine cancer.
Uterine cancer is not the only health risk associated with using chemical hair relaxers. Women have reported several types of cancers associated with hair relaxer use, usually involving the reproductive system and related organs. The endocrine-disrupting chemicals in these hair relaxers have had a variety of serious effects on the health of many women.
In addition to uterine fibroids, other serious hair relaxer-related injuries include:
For Uterine Cancer or Fibroids, Hysterectomy Surgery is a Common Treatment
Most people understand the seriousness and complexity that comes with a cancer diagnosis. However, many women suffer from uterine fibroids without fully appreciating the consequences this condition can bring.
Uterine fibroids are not cancerous, and smaller fibroids may even resolve on their own. In fact, many women have uterine fibroids, but they are unaware because smaller fibroids typically lack symptoms. Uterine fibroids are typically diagnosed during routine pelvic exams and confirmed with medical imaging like ultrasound or through a lab test. These fibroids can grow in the cavity of the uterus or along either side of its walls. Women may have one fibroid or multiple fibroids at a time.
However, it would be a mistake to label uterine fibroids as harmless. In some cases, uterine fibroids can grow to be the size of a watermelon and are accompanied by heavy bleeding and pain. In extreme cases, medical providers may recommend a hysterectomy to prevent future uterine fibroids. Women who have a history of using chemical hair relaxers should be aware of the signs of uterine fibroids.
Signs of Uterine Problems to Look For:
- Unusually heavy bleeding during your period
- Bleeding outside of your typical menstrual cycle
- Bloating
- Frequent urination
- Having trouble urinating
- Experiencing pain during sex
- Pain in the lower back
- Constipation
- Chronic vaginal discharge
Concerns About Hysterectomies to Treat Uterine Fibroids
While there are many treatment options for uterine fibroids, a hysterectomy is the only way to permanently prevent them from reoccurring. A hysterectomy is a surgery that removes the uterus and is often considered a last resort. Certain types of hysterectomies may involve the removal of the cervix, ovaries, and other parts of the female reproductive system as well.
What are the Consequences of a Uterine Cancer or Fibroids Hysterectomy?
Without a uterus or womb, a woman will no longer be able to carry a child. Depending on the extent of the hysterectomy, the ovaries may also be removed. When the ovaries are removed, a woman’s body transitions into menopause following the procedure. That means that she will no longer have a period as a result of hormonal changes. Regardless of the extensiveness of the hysterectomy, this surgery can have serious implications for a woman’s physical and mental health.
For example, one of the earliest claims filed against the negligent hair relaxer makers was brought by a woman named Jenny Mitchell. At age 28, she underwent a hysterectomy after developing uterine cancer related to the frequent use of chemical hair relaxers that she assumed were safe. Unfortunately, that means that she will not have the opportunity to have biological children, ending her dream of carrying her own child. Profound losses like this deserve compensation in the form of compensatory damages in a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit.
Recovering Damages in a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
The makers of chemical hair relaxers, like L’Oreal and ORS Olive Oil, are facing legal claims of negligence from women who have developed uterine fibroids and multiple types of cancer after using their products. The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for their financial and emotional losses. In a product liability claim, these losses are referred to as economic and non-economic damages, respectively.
Plaintiffs can receive compensation for monetary costs that were a consequence of their injuries, such as costs related to medical treatments. They can also make a claim for non-economic damages, which are meant to compensate injured parties for their intangible losses. In the cases involving women who have undergone hysterectomies, there are likely to be substantial non-economic damages claimed.
Examples of Damages in a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit:
- Medical expenses
- Medication
- Surgery
- Lab tests
- Medical imaging
- Hormone therapy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemo
- Hospital stays
- Job-related losses
- Lost wages
- Missed promotions
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
You may have questions about which damages qualify for compensation or how to determine what your non-economic damages are worth in a hair relaxer lawsuit. These calculations and determinations are best left up to a product liability lawyer with specific knowledge of the hair relaxer cancer claims.
Why Should I Choose Dolman Law Group to Represent Me?
The product liability attorneys of Dolman Law Group recognize the magnitude of your loss, and we’ll make sure the insurance company does, too. Our team has negotiating skills and the work ethic required to maximize your compensation.
At Dolman Law Group, we strive to provide first-rate service for our injured clients. To accomplish this, we take a results-driven approach. We have successfully recovered millions of dollars in damages for our clients after they were injured by another party’s negligence.
Our success has allowed us to expand nationwide and support clients involved in mass tort claims, like the AFFF firefighting foam lawsuits or the NEC baby formula lawsuits. During our years of service, we have earned a reputation as determined advocates. Other personal injury law firms regularly refer their most complicated claims to us, and our clients are often referred to us by their friends. The personal injury lawyers of Dolman Law Group will go above and beyond to ensure that your needs are met.
Contact Dolman Law Group for Help With Your Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
Having a hysterectomy can permanently alter the trajectory of your life. In addition to the emotional losses that often accompany such a procedure, you have likely sustained financial costs in the form of medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses like transportation costs. The personal injury lawyers of Dolman Law Group are prepared to negotiate a settlement or bring a lawsuit to recover these damages for you.
We are dedicated to maximizing your compensation, which means that you can count on us to take your claim to trial if that’s what is needed to secure the outcome you deserve. Clients trust Dolman Law Group because we have the experience necessary to handle complex claims, the work ethic to provide each claim with the attention it deserves, and the resources to see it through to the end.
Women who have had a hysterectomy to treat uterine fibroids or uterine cancer after the long-term use of chemical hair relaxers should consider taking legal action. The product liability lawyers of Dolman Law Group are available to discuss the details of your claim to discern its validity and the extent of the damage you may be entitled to recover.
Call 833-552-7274 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation today.
Dolman Law Group works with local counsel in any jurisdiction outside Florida for the purpose of filing lawsuits in jurisdictions where we are not licensed. Thus, we will follow each State’s ethical rules to ensure a local attorney is involved.