Thousands of women have filed lawsuits claiming that prolonged use of chemical hair relaxers and straightening products has contributed to uterine, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. This overview breaks down who may be eligible to file, the latest developments in the litigation, what could influence potential settlement amounts, and how the process is unfolding in the Hair Relaxer MDL as well as in state-level court actions.

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Who May Qualify for a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

• Consistent or extended use of chemical hair relaxers or straightening products.
• A confirmed diagnosis of uterine, ovarian, or endometrial cancer.
• Medical documentation verifying the diagnosis and any related treatments.
• Use of products from brands such as Dark & Lovely, Optimum, Just for Me, SoftSheen-Carson, L’Oréal, Revlon, Strength of Nature, Namaste, and similar lines.
• Filing the claim within the legal time frame allowed by your state’s statute of limitations.

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Injuries and Cancers Associated with Hair Relaxer Use

• Uterine cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Uterine fibroids
• Hormonal or endocrine system disruption

Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Settlements: Potential Amounts & Influencing Factors

Settlements for hair relaxer cases are not yet finalized. However, looking at similar cancer-related mass torts, potential compensation may depend on several factors, including:

• Type of cancer: Uterine, ovarian, or endometrial.
• Plaintiff’s age and long-term effects of the illness.
• Frequency and duration of hair relaxer use.
• Medical costs and lost wages due to treatment and recovery.

Disclaimer: Any settlement figures provided are for informational purposes only and do not guarantee compensation. Actual payouts vary based on the specific details of each case.

Filing Deadlines for Hair Relaxer Lawsuits

The time you have to file a claim depends on your state’s laws. Most states set a statute of limitations of 2–3 years from the date of diagnosis. Some states also enforce a statute of repose, which can prevent claims if the product was used more than 10 years ago. It’s important to consult an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.

Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Updates™

Last updated: December 2025

• November 4, 2025: MDL adds 171 new cases in October, bringing the total pending lawsuits to 10,723.
• October 1, 2025: Hair relaxer MDL reaches 10,552 cases, making it the fourth-largest multidistrict litigation in the U.S.
• September 29, 2025: Judge Rowland dismisses several noncompliant cases under CMO 9, emphasizing the need for timely fact sheets and authorizations.
• September 18, 2025: Plaintiffs prevail in a privilege dispute as Magistrate Judge Beth Jantz orders Namaste to produce an email chain not protected by attorney-client privilege.
• September 17, 2025: Discovery schedule updated: joint deposition progress report due September 24; follow-up hearing set for October 9 before Judge Rowland.
• September 11, 2025: Expert report deadlines extended: plaintiffs by December 1, defendants by January 6, 2026, rebuttals by January 20; Science Day remains January 8.
• September 9, 2025: MDL case count climbs to 10,858 pending lawsuits.
• September 5, 2025: Sally Beauty sues insurers in Texas federal court, claiming Cincinnati Insurance and Cincinnati Casualty refused to cover hair relaxer defense costs.
• September 4, 2025: Plaintiffs raise discovery issues with Avlon over late emails and deposition disputes, alleging obstruction.
• September 1, 2025: Science Day scheduled for January 8, 2026, where experts will present research on hair relaxers and hormone-related cancers.
• August 23, 2025: Five plaintiffs dismissed with prejudice for failing to submit short form complaints on time.
• August 17, 2025: New Connecticut lawsuit filed; alleges nearly 40 years of chemical relaxer use caused uterine cancer, naming L’Oréal, Revlon, SoftSheen-Carson, and Strength of Nature.
• August 3, 2025: MDL case count rises to 10,567, up 285 from the prior month due to new filings and administrative cleanup.
• July 27, 2025: Judge Rowland denies Revlon’s subpoena for NIH files, protecting scientific deliberations.
• July 22, 2025: Settlement talks slow; no meaningful negotiations expected before late 2026.
• July 15, 2025: L’Oréal ordered to produce U.S. regulatory Product Information Files (PIFs) by July 31.
• July 4, 2025: Science Day confirmed for January 8, 2026, for expert testimony on hair relaxer-related cancer risks.
• July 1, 2025: MDL case count slightly down to 10,282 due to consolidations.
• June 24, 2025: Walgreens dismissed as a defendant; claims lacked specificity.
• June 23, 2025: Philadelphia consolidates hair relaxer cases into a local mass tort program (~25 cases).
• June 22, 2025: Georgia Supreme Court reviewing statute of repose affecting long-term use claims.
• June 20, 2025: MDL enters trial prep phase; bellwether trials scheduled for 2027.
• June 18, 2025: No settlements expected soon; litigation continues in the discovery stage.

We refresh this section every month to provide the latest MDL activity, significant filings, and notable verdicts.

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Understanding the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Process

1. Free Consultation: Verify your eligibility, medical history, and product use with an experienced attorney.
2. Case Filing: Submit a short-form complaint within the federal MDL or applicable state court program.
3. Discovery: Share and review medical records, expert reports, and internal company documents to build the case.
4. Bellwether Selection: Certain representative cases are chosen for early trials to help assess potential outcomes and guide settlements.
5. Settlement or Trial: Cases may resolve through negotiated compensation or proceed to a jury trial for a verdict.

References & Research Sources

• National Institutes of Health (NIH): Studies examining the link between hair relaxers and cancer
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Guidelines and regulations on cosmetic safety
• National Cancer Institute (NCI): Data on cancer research, prevention, and risk factors

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