What Are Hair Relaxers and Why Are They Dangerous?
Hair relaxers are chemicals designed to straighten curly or coiled hair. The chemicals break down the bonds in the hair before reforming them after the hair is straightened. However, these chemicals can be toxic and lead to increased risks of cancer.
These products aren’t new, but the connection between them and ovarian and uterine cancers is. Many of the chemicals within these products are now known to be potentially toxic, especially when used frequently. And the more curly someone’s hair is, the more frequently they use these products, putting them at a higher risk.
Types of Defective Product Lawsuits
Individuals harmed by the chemicals in hair relaxers may be eligible to recover compensation for their injuries through a defective product lawsuit against the manufacturers. Defective product lawsuits rely on proving that the product had a defect due to its design, manufacturing, or warning labels. You could bring a product liability lawsuit based on:
A defective design is an inherent flaw with the product that makes its use unsafe. Since hair relaxers use hazardous chemicals, you may be able to argue that they’re defective by design. However, this isn’t the only possible way to handle these cases.
While not applicable to most hair relaxer cases, defective manufacturing occurs when a defect is introduced into the product during the manufacturing process. For example, if another substance got into the product and contaminated it, that could be a case of defective manufacturing.
The other primary way to handle hair relaxer cases is to sue based on defective warnings. Manufacturers must put warning labels on their products that outline how to safely use them and that specify the risks associated with their use. If the packaging of the hair relaxer doesn’t mention the risk of uterine or ovarian cancer, it could be defective.
The Link Between Hair Relaxers and Several Cancers
The long-term use of hair relaxers can increase the risk of certain cancers and other medical conditions. Some of these cancers and conditions include:
- Ovarian Cancer – The fifth most deadly cancer among women, ovarian cancer can be difficult to detect before it progresses to the later stages. The chemicals found in hair relaxers may seep into the scalp and eventually enter the bloodstream, causing cancer in the ovaries.
- Uterine Cancer – Chemicals absorbed through the scalp can also lead to cancer in the uterus, which may require a hysterectomy.
- Uterine Fibroids – In addition to cancers, hair relaxers have been connected to an increased risk of uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous growths in the uterus. These growths can cause severe pain and heavy menstrual bleeding and may become infected, leading to further health complications.
If you suffered from any of these medical conditions after using hair relaxers, fill out our questionnaire to learn more about your eligibility for a lawsuit and how our firm can help.
Evidence Needed to Establish Eligibility for a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
To establish eligibility in a hair relaxer lawsuit after suffering an injury, you need specific evidence connecting your injury to your use of hair relaxers. This evidence includes:
You must have proof that you used hair relaxers multiple times. The more often you used them, the easier it will be to establish their connection to your condition.
You must have a diagnosed condition caused by your use of hair relaxers. In most cases involving these chemicals, that’s going to be a cancer diagnosis. You should have a copy of your medical records showing when you were diagnosed.
You must have treatment records. They should provide details about when your treatment began and ended if it’s over. They should include information on the type of treatment and its effectiveness.
You must show that you suffered a financial loss connected to your injury. These are typically medical bills or lost wages.
You must establish a timeline showing that your symptoms and diagnosis came after your repeated use of hair relaxers.
What Compensation Is Available for Hair Relaxer Injury Victims in Albuquerque?
After establishing your eligibility for a lawsuit, your attorney can assist you with calculating the compensation you’re going to seek. This compensation may include:
- Medical expenses, including surgeries, medical treatments, and prescription medications.
- Lost wages and loss of future earning potential caused by your condition’s impact on your ability to work.
- Physical pain and emotional suffering you experienced due to your injury. A cancer diagnosis can have a significant impact on your mental health.
- Permanent disability accommodations if your injury leaves you permanently disabled. For example, you may need to pay for long-term in-home care.
- Loss of consortium if your condition impacted your relationship with your spouse. This is a unique type of compensation your spouse can seek instead of you.
Contact a Hair Relaxer Injury Attorney
If you received a cancer diagnosis after using hair relaxers, Ron Bell Law is here to help. Fill out our questionnaire to determine your eligibility for a lawsuit against the hair relaxer manufacturers and to learn more about how our legal team can help.