For decades, chemical hair straightening and relaxing products were marketed heavily to Black women without adequate warnings about serious health risks. A landmark 2022 study from the National Institutes of Health found that women who frequently used these products had more than double the risk of developing uterine cancer. Thousands have now filed claims seeking compensation.
Answer a few questions to find out if you may be eligible for compensation. Takes about 60 seconds.
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The hair relaxer lawsuit requires both regular use of chemical straightening products and a qualifying medical diagnosis. Based on what you shared, your situation may not meet the current filing criteria.
If you believe your situation is different or you have questions, you can still call to speak with a legal advocate who can review the details of your case:
(888) 555-0199The hair relaxer lawsuit centers on a straightforward but devastating allegation: companies that manufactured and sold chemical hair straightening products knew or should have known that their products contained endocrine-disrupting chemicals capable of causing serious reproductive harm, and they failed to warn consumers.
To qualify, you generally need to meet two criteria: documented use of chemical relaxer products and a qualifying medical diagnosis.
You must have used chemical hair straightening or relaxing products that contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The products at the center of this litigation include well-known brands that were staples in Black hair care for decades:
These products contained chemicals including phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, and other endocrine-disrupting compounds. Many women started using relaxers as children — some as young as five or six years old — because these products were marketed as essential for managing Black hair texture. That early and prolonged exposure is a critical factor in the litigation.
To pursue a claim, you must have been diagnosed with a condition linked to the chemical exposure. The qualifying diagnoses currently include:
While there is no strict minimum use period to file a claim, the duration and frequency of product use directly affects the strength of your case. Women who used chemical relaxers regularly over many years — particularly those who started as children or teenagers — have the strongest claims. The NIH study specifically found that women who used hair straightening products more than four times per year had approximately 2.5 times the risk of uterine cancer compared to those who did not use them.
That said, even occasional use over a shorter period may qualify if you have a qualifying diagnosis. Every case is evaluated individually.
The hair relaxer litigation is consolidated as MDL No. 3060 in the Northern District of Illinois, overseen by Judge Mary M. Rowland. Here is how the case has progressed and what to expect next.
The National Institutes of Health published the Sister Study, which found that women who frequently used chemical hair straighteners had more than double the risk of developing uterine cancer. This study catalyzed the litigation.
Within days of the NIH study, plaintiffs began filing individual lawsuits against L'Oréal, Revlon, Namaste Laboratories, and other manufacturers in federal courts across the country.
The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated all federal hair relaxer cases into MDL 3060 in the Northern District of Illinois, assigned to Judge Mary M. Rowland.
Extensive document discovery proceeded. Bellwether cases — representative trials used to gauge how juries will evaluate the evidence — were selected to move forward. Internal company documents began surfacing.
The first bellwether trials are expected to begin. The outcomes will heavily influence any global settlement negotiations. Filing remains open and new cases continue to be accepted into the MDL.
The case is still actively accepting new filings. Because the bellwether trials have not yet concluded, no global settlement has been reached. However, legal experts anticipate that the defendants — facing mounting scientific evidence and thousands of claims — may ultimately negotiate a settlement rather than face years of individual jury trials. Filing now ensures your claim is part of any future resolution.
No global settlement has been reached in the hair relaxer litigation yet. The figures below are projections from legal analysts based on comparable mass tort cases, the severity of the injuries, and the strength of the scientific evidence. Individual case values depend on multiple factors.
Important: These are estimates, not guarantees. Settlement amounts will depend on the outcome of bellwether trials and any global settlement negotiations. An attorney can provide a more specific evaluation based on the details of your individual case.
Filing a hair relaxer claim is not something you need to navigate alone. The process is handled by your attorney, and there are no upfront costs. Here is what to expect:
Speak with a legal advocate who will review your product use history and medical diagnosis to determine if your case meets the filing criteria. This takes about 15 minutes and costs nothing.
Your attorney will help you collect the necessary documentation. This includes medical records showing your diagnosis, treatment history, and any records of the products you used. Purchase receipts are helpful but not required.
Your attorney files your individual claim as part of MDL 3060. Each case is filed separately, meaning your specific injuries and damages are assessed individually — not averaged with everyone else.
Your attorney manages all legal proceedings, negotiations, and court appearances. You may need to provide additional documentation or a deposition, but most communication is handled by your legal team.
If you do not have all of these documents, you can still file. Many women used these products for years without keeping receipts. Your attorney can work with what you have and may use expert testimony to establish your exposure history.
If you used chemical hair relaxers and have been diagnosed with cancer, endometriosis, or fibroids, speak with a legal advocate today. There is no cost and no obligation.
Call (888) 555-0199Available Monday–Friday, 8am–8pm ET. Free & confidential.