The Catastrophic Impact of Hair Relaxer Chemicals and When to File a Lawsuit

From teenagers to older women, everyone seems to have taken hair straightening so seriously that they think all hair relaxers are healthy. No doubt, in the initial stages, people definitely love the transformation. But the road to gaining thriving hair with hair relaxers might impact your health drastically. Before we discover the terrible effects of hair relaxers, first, let’s describe what exactly it is.

A Brief on Hair Relaxers and Mart Tort Cases

Simply put, a hair relaxer is a hair treatment that can relax and straighten your naturally curly hair. Amidst the process of transferring your unruly curls into manageable straightened hair, several chemical reactions occur.

According to the latest reports, mass tort cases against chemical hair relaxer manufacturers have been filed, alleging the products are causing harm to customers.

Chemicals used in these hair relaxers are guanidine hydroxide, ammonium thioglycolate, and sodium hydroxide, which are potential carcinogens. When they are absorbed through your scalp, they enter your bloodstream. In short, these chemicals interfere with your hormones, thereby leading to massive health consequences such as ovarian and uterine cancer.

Health Impacts of Using Chemical Hair Relaxers

African American women have curly and coily hair and use hair relaxers more often. If the latest reports are anything to go by, these women are at a high risk of developing endometrial cancer type 1, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer. The following are the health impacts of using these relaxers:

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer develops in the ovaries, a significant organ in the female reproductive system. While the exact cause of the ailment remains unidentified, several risk factors are associated with this disease. Besides family history, a record of breast cancer, age, and obesity, using chemical relaxers can also have a catastrophic impact on health.

Symptoms include swelling, abdominal bloating, urinary urgency, eating difficulty, and pelvic pain. These symptoms mainly occur if you have premenstrual syndrome or irritable bowel syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a positive outcome.

Uterine Fibroids

These noncancerous growths develop in the uterus, and women don’t experience any massive symptoms. In some cases, uterine fibroids lead to a hysterectomy, a surgical removal of the uterus. There are several types of hysterectomy, including a radical or total hysterectomy, involving removing the cervix, uterus, and vagina.

Endometrial Cancer Type 1

Endometrial cancer type 1 affects the uterus lining, referred to as the endometrium. It is the most common type of cancer, but if it is left undiagnosed and untreated, it may spread to other body parts.

Understanding the Mass Tort Cases Against Chemical Hair Relaxers

There have been ongoing mass tort cases against chemical hair relaxers and their manufacturers. Several plaintiffs seek compensation for lost wages, pain, suffering, and medical costs. As a defendant, you need to state which product you have opted for.

Lately, considering the safety, some brands started reformatting their products to mitigate the risks. However, experts believe a customer should first be educated about the risks involved with using these relaxers to choose a safer alternative method. If you have a victim, it’s time to file a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit.

Steps to File a Chemical Hair Relaxer Lawsuit

If you have experienced the pain and suffering of using a chemical hair relaxer, it’s time you consult a solicitor. Follow the given steps to file the lawsuit:

1^st Step: Consulting an Attorney

The foundation step involves contacting an attorney who has experience in these cases. The solicitor reviews the case and assesses whether your claim is valid or not. Upon then, the solicitor gathers evidence and builds the case against the hair relaxer brand/manufacturer.

Evidence That You Need to Collect

While filing the lawsuit, you need to collect evidence to build a strong case. A meticulous attorney can assist you in gathering the evidence that plays a crucial role in determining the connection between your health issue and hair relaxers. In addition, the lawyer also points out the negligence of the hair relaxer manufacturer to build a strong case by collecting medical records, product packaging, receipts, and other documents.

Filing a Complaint

The next step is to file a complaint. Note that a complaint is the official legal document outlining the allegation against the chemical hair relaxer’s manufacturer. It denotes that their negligence has resulted in health injuries or cancer. Your solicitor can draft and submit your documents to the court.

After collecting the evidence, the lawyer files the complaint. Soon after this, you must send a copy of the complaint to the defendant (in this case, the manufacturer).

A Closing Note

Filing a chemical hair relaxer lawsuit involves complex steps. So, a victim should seek consultation from a trustworthy and experienced attorney to pursue the justice that they deserve. So, get in touch with a proficient lawyer who can develop a strong case to win compensation.