What Is the Average Settlement for a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

If you were harmed by chemical hair straighteners, you may be wondering about the average settlement for a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit. Before you go through the process of filing a lawsuit, you need to know that the process is worth it, and this means that you need to know how much you can expect to collect if your claim is successful.

So, what is the average settlement for a chemical chemical hair relaxer lawsuit? 

At this point, it is too early to tell. While you will find estimates of average chemical hair relaxer lawsuit settlement amounts if you look online, these are exactly what they say they are—estimates. The vast majority of chemical hair relaxer lawsuits are still pending; and, when companies agree to settle lawsuits out of court, they almost always require confidentiality as a condition of settlement. 

While data on average settlements for chemical hair relaxer lawsuits may come out eventually, any reputable law firm will tell you that average settlement amounts simply aren’t available at this time. 

A reputable law firm will also tell you that average settlement figures—even if they were to exist—would be irrelevant to determining your legal rights. 

Determining How Much You May Be Able to Recover in a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

When you have a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit, the amounts that other plaintiffs have received for their claims simply don’t matter. There are a few reasons why: 

• Your losses are unique to you. When you have a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit (or any other type of injury lawsuit), the amount that you are entitled to recover depends entirely on how your medical condition impacts your life. This includes not only the financial costs of your condition, but its non-financial costs as well. 
• Some plaintiffs (and some lawyers) will be willing to settle for less. When you settle a lawsuit, you agree to accept a certain amount of guaranteed payment in exchange for avoiding the delays and inherent uncertainty of going to trial. Simply put, some plaintiffs (and some lawyers) will be willing to settle for less than others. Those who accept low settlements in order to move on as quickly as possible will bring down the average settlement amount even though much more may be on the table. 
• Different companies handle settlement negotiations differently. A third key factor is the fact that different companies handle settlement negotiations differently. While some may be willing to enter into good-faith settlement negotiations early in the litigation process, others will use hardball tactics to minimize their settlements as much as possible. But, in any case, you are entitled to recover the full compensation you deserve—and if a fair settlement isn’t on the table, you (and your lawyers) will need to be prepared to take your chemical hair relaxer lawsuit to trial.

While each of these factors will play a role in determining the value of your chemical hair relaxer lawsuit, you have more control over some than others. Most importantly, you have the ability to choose the lawyer who represents you. If you hire a lawyer who is committed to helping you recover maximum compensation—and who has the experience needed to handle your case effectively—this will greatly improve your chances of receiving a favorable settlement (though there are never any guarantees). 

An experienced lawyer will work closely with you to calculate the damages you are entitled to recover. This includes damages for financial and non-financial losses such as:

• Medical expenses
• Loss of income and earning capacity 
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of consortium and companionship
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Cancer caused by a chemical hair straightener can impact the rest of your life. As a result, when calculating your damages, it is essential to focus on your current and future losses. In many cases, plaintiffs’ future losses will account for the greatest portion of their settlement or verdict.

Talk to a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Lawyer for FREE

At Coplan + Crane, we are committed to seeking maximum compensation for our clients’ losses. If you think you may have a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit (or don’t know and want to find out), we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free consultation. 

Contact Coplan + Crane today online or at (312) 982-0588 for a FREE case evaluation. We serve clients throughout Illinois, including Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas.