Lawsuits related to hair relaxers illustrate that many household items contain dangerous levels of toxic chemicals. In particular, studies have linked chemicals in hair relaxers to various cancers. Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys can help anyone who has suffered injury from these products. Below, we provide an overview of what you can expect if you reach out to us about possible injuries.
How We Evaluate Claims
Most people contact our firm by calling or reaching out online. A member of our legal team will request that you provide certain information to help us better decide whether you have a claim. Not everyone who uses hair relaxers will be able to sue. Instead, we need to link your use of hair relaxers to specific illnesses. If we believe you have a claim, and you hire us, we will do everything possible to obtain compensation.
What You Should Do if You Suspect Injury from Hair Relaxer
If you are reading this for the first time, you might be surprised to learn that some of the most common relaxers are linked to cancer. There are steps you can take that will help your cause if you go ahead and file a claim. We recommend the following:
- Keep medical records. You will need to show that you have a qualifying disease. For example, most people bringing these suits have uterine cancer. Maintaining full medical records helps. Your legal team can also seek records, but you can streamline the process by holding onto everything.
- Preserve any relaxers. We realize that most people throw away the bottle once they are done. But remember to keep any product if you still have it. Don’t throw it out. Cancer has been linked to chemicals used in many relaxers, including Magic Shave, Dark & Lovely, Dabur Amla Hair Care, L’Oreal, and many others!
- Write down how often you use relaxers. If you get your hair done, write down the name of who you go to.
- Reach out to a hair relaxer lawsuit attorney as soon as possible. Our law firm has other advice about how to build your case.
Legal Allegations Raised in these Cases
Women have suffered various cancers linked to hair relaxers, including ovarian and uterine cancers. They have medical expenses and suffer physical and emotional distress. Some have even died due to exposure.
The legal basis of a hair relaxer lawsuit is that the manufacturer sold a defective product. Some of the allegations in these cases include:
- The failure of manufacturers to examine the effect of toxins on users;
- The failure of manufacturers to recall hair relaxers when claims of negative health outcomes come to their attention;
- The inadequacy of warnings about the risk of cancer when using hair relaxers;
- Misleading information on warning labels or insufficient instructions provided to keep users safe.
These are some of the most important legal allegations involved in these cases. We can discuss how they affect your specific situation.
How We Seek Compensation
The amount of compensation you might receive will depend on various factors:
- How frequently you used hair relaxers
- The disease you are suffering from
- Your medical expenses to treat your illnesses
- Future medical expenses
- Whether you could work while treating your illness
For a products liability lawsuit, including a hair relaxer claim, clients can receive money to cover economic losses like medical bills, future medical expenses, and lost income.
An experienced attorney should also seek money for pain and suffering and losses of a similar nature. Uterine cancer leads to physical pain, but also depression and anxiety. Talk with our lawyer about what you can qualify for.
Deadlines for Filing a Claim
The deadline is found in the applicable statute of limitations, which will vary by jurisdiction. We highly recommend that you reach out to us quickly.
Evidence Used for Your Case
Your case will revolve around whether you can establish you used the hair relaxer and whether we can connect it to your cancer. Some important pieces of evidence include:
- Medical records: these show your illness, including when you were diagnosed and the care you are receiving.
- Product evidence: you might have saved the hair relaxer package you bought.
- Witness testimony: we often rely on witnesses to establish what hair relaxer you used and when.
- Expert testimony: experts can establish a link between your use of hair relaxers and your cancer. Experts can also testify about the harm a product causes.
How Long Does a Case Take?
Hair relaxer litigation has been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation panel. This type of centralization helps streamline personal injury claims. But how long will your case take? The answer is that it depends on certain facts, such as:
- The court’s schedule
- The availability of evidence, such as witness statements
- Whether the defendant makes a fair settlement offer
- Whether you need to participate in mediation or negotiation to obtain a settlement
Our lawyers realize that each case is unique. We can provide a more realistic sense of how long your case might take if you schedule a consultation with our law firm.
Will You Need to Testify in Court?
Many people wonder whether they will need to go to court. The answer is “it depends.” Most product liability cases can settle to the mutual satisfaction of both sides. Many hair relaxer manufacturers are acknowledging that their products are dangerous. Often, the only legal issue is whether you were exposed to them. A trial is rare, although it’s possible if the defendant does not believe you qualify for a settlement.
Can You Afford a Lawyer?
The good news is that our firm does not charge upfront legal fees. Instead, we represent those injured by hair relaxers on a contingency fee basis. You don’t have to pay unless we win your case, and you agree to the percentage we receive. Please don’t delay reaching out to us because you are afraid you can’t afford our services.
Call Our Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Attorney Today
Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys is helping victims seek compensation when they suffer ill health due to hair relaxers. Contact Stewart Miller Simmons through our partnership with Rueb Stoller Daniel, LLP at 1 800-788-3311