Hair Straightener Lawsuits against hair product manufacturers have increased following studies that link hair straighteners to cancer. If you used hair straighteners or relaxers and developed cancer, you need to consider your legal options. There are a number of challenges that will emerge as more and more women file lawsuits.
Rueb Stoller Daniel is familiar with these types of claims and has successfully represented countless victims of consumer products. We are ready to navigate the hurdles of bringing a hair straightener lawsuit and winning the compensation that victims deserve.
These are a few evidentiary challenges we expect to see, and how they can be overcome.
Establishing Your Personal Evidence
Studies have linked frequent use of hair straighteners to several types of cancer. Uterine cancer seems to be one of the primary types. But breast and endometrial cancer have also been connected to these products. Black women have a higher use of hair relaxers than compared with the general population. That fact alone puts them at considerable risk.
One of the first steps in filing a lawsuit is determining how often the potential plaintiff used the hair product. “Frequent” use may mean as little as four times a year. In essence, the more frequently you use these products, the more likely it is they will hurt you. It will be necessary to prove how often you purchased and applied hair straightener products.
You can start building your evidence by making notes of the following:
- Which products you used, and when
- Any purchase receipts of hair straighteners from retail businesses
- Any receipts of visits you made to a salon that used these products
- How frequently you applied these products or had them applied
- How exactly you or someone else applied them
You will also need to demonstrate the link between your use of the product and any health issues. An attorney will provide assistance. If you haven’t been diagnosed with cancer, you will still need to be aware of possible symptoms. For instance, these are common signs of uterine cancer:
- Pain or cramps in the lower abdomen or pelvic area
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding, spotting, or discharge
- For premenopausal women, menorrhagia (abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding, and/or abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB))
- For postmenopausal women, any vaginal bleeding, spotting, or white or clear vaginal discharge
Our firm works directly with clients to assemble the evidence needed to build a willing case. We also understand which types of evidence are admissible and will be necessary in a lawsuit.
Establishing the Scientific Evidence
Having the records of your product use and medical illness is a great first step, but there are many others. An expert witness will need to describe your medical data as it concerns the hair straightener or relaxer you used. Expert witnesses will also discuss the various studies that have linked hair straighteners to cancer.
On October 17, the National Institutes of Health released a study linking hair straighteners and cancer. Women who used these products frequently were twice as likely to develop uterine cancer. One company, L’Oréal, has already been sued over its hair straightener. Whether the plaintiff ultimately prevails will depend on the strength of the scientific evidence.
Rueb Stoller Daniel has a network of trusted scientific, medical, and other types of expert witnesses. As new studies in this area are completed, we will review them in concert with the experts. And we will bring to bear the most pressing evidence in your case to establish the defendant’s liability.
If You Were Harmed By Hair Straighteners, We Can Help
Have you been hurt by hair straighteners or relaxer products? If so, be sure you follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment. Then, come to us. We can help you take legal action to recover fair compensation for your injuries. Give Rueb Stoller Daniel a call now to find out more.
