hair relaxer lawsuit attorney | Coplan and crane

How Do You Qualify for a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

October 15, 2024

Do you qualify to file a hair relaxer lawsuit? At the end of August 2024, more than 8,000 women and families had filed hair relaxer lawsuits across the United States. These lawsuits allege that companies like Revlon and L’Oreal knowingly sold hair relaxers containing cancer-causing chemicals for years. The number of lawsuits is continuing to grow; and, if you have grounds to file a lawsuit, now is the time to take action. 

So, should you hire a lawyer to file a hair relaxer lawsuit on your behalf?

While tens of thousands of women and families may be eligible to file hair relaxer lawsuits, determining whether you qualify requires a careful assessment of your specific circumstances. Several factors come into play; and, if you qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit, it will also be important to realistically assess how much you may be able to recover. This will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to move forward—which is critical for both: (i) making sure you don’t waste your time and effort; and, (ii) making sure you don’t leave money on the table. 

5 Factors to Determine if You Qualify for a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit 

Here are five key factors for determining if you qualify to file a hair relaxer lawsuit: 

1. You (or a Loved One) Used a Chemical-Based Hair Relaxer 

The lawsuits filed against Revlon, L’Oreal, and other companies to date focus on chemical-based hair relaxers. This specifically includes hair relaxers that contain one (or more) of the following chemicals:

  • Bisphenol A (BPA)
  • Cyclosiloxanes 
  • Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
  • Formaldehyde 
  • Parabens
  • Phthalates 
  • Sodium hydroxide 
  • Triclosan 

Several brands of hair relaxers contain these chemicals, including Dark & Lovely, Just for Me, Motions, Namaste, Soft & Beautiful, and Soft Sheen—among many others. If you (or a loved one) used one of these products, this is the first thing you need to prove in order to qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit.  

2. You (or a Loved One) Received a Cancer or Uterine Fibroid Diagnosis 

Along with proving that you (or a loved one) used a chemical-based hair relaxer, you also need to prove that this resulted in a cancer or uterine fibroids diagnosis. Cancers that have been linked to dangerous chemical hair relaxers include breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. These medical conditions can have life-altering and life-shortening effects, and they can prove incredibly expensive for patients and their families. As a result, if you qualify to file a hair relaxer lawsuit, it is critical that you work with an experienced lawyer to assert your legal rights. 

3. Your (or Your Loved One’s) Diagnosis Came After Using a Chemical-Based Hair Relaxer 

To qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit, you also need to be able to show that your (or your loved one’s) diagnosis came after using a dangerous hair relaxer. If you already had cancer or uterine fibroids when you started using a chemical-based hair relaxing product, then you won’t be able to establish the “causation” needed to justify a claim for financial compensation. 

4. You Have Evidence to Support Your Claim 

To file a hair relaxer lawsuit, it isn’t enough to simply claim that you or a loved one was harmed by a dangerous chemical-based hair straightener—even if this is 100% true. Instead, you need to be able to prove that you are entitled to just compensation. With this in mind, if you have questions about filing a lawsuit, you should save any bottles of product you still have in your possession, and you should try to track down your receipts or order confirmations for any treatments or products you purchased in the past. 

5. You Still Have Time to File 

Finally, to qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit, you need to assert your legal rights before the statute of limitations for your claim expires. While most women and families still have time to file, time will be running out in some cases. To make sure you don’t lose your opportunity to seek the financial compensation you deserve, you should discuss your legal rights with a lawyer as soon as possible. 

Do You Have a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit? Find Out for Free

If you would like to speak with a lawyer about filing a hair relaxer lawsuit in Illinois, we invite you to get in touch. Our experienced attorneys understand the hardships you may be facing, and we are committed to helping you achieve justice with confidence and dignity.

Contact Coplan + Crane today online or at 312-982-0588 to schedule a FREE case evaluation. We welcome clients from across Illinois, including Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas. We handle hair relaxer cases on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win.