Hair Relaxer Lawsuit: MDL Update and Settlement Outlook

Hair Relaxer MDL Update

The hair relaxer multidistrict litigation (MDL)¹ continues to grow, with over 10,000 pending cases as of late 2023¹ in the Northern District of Illinois under Judge Mary M. Rowland².

Current Status

No settlements have occurred yet. The parties have appointed Ellen K. Reisman as Special Master to supervise settlement negotiations². Bellwether trials are expected to be scheduled⁵.

What This Means for Victims

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometriosis after regular use of chemical hair relaxers, you may be eligible for compensation. Legal experts estimate potential settlements in the range of $100,000 to $2 million depending on the case⁵.

Key Developments

Scientific Studies: Multiple peer-reviewed studies have confirmed the link between hair relaxer use and increased cancer risk³
FDA Review: The FDA is currently reviewing safety data and considering regulatory action⁴
Growing MDL: The case pool includes thousands of cases involving uterine, endometrial, or ovarian cancer¹
Court Decisions: Recent court decisions have denied some defendants' motions to dismiss²

Who May Qualify

You may have a claim if you:

Used chemical hair relaxers regularly for 4+ years
Were diagnosed with uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, or endometriosis
Have not previously settled a hair relaxer claim

Next Steps

Time limits apply to filing claims. If you believe you may be affected, contact a legal professional immediately for a free case evaluation.

Sources:

References:

¹ JPML Transfer Order - MDL formation, case counts and jurisdiction

² Northern District of Illinois Court Records - Judge assignment and case management orders

³ Journal of the National Cancer Institute - Peer-reviewed studies on hair relaxer cancer associations

⁴ FDA Safety Communications - Federal regulatory review of hair relaxer safety data

⁵ Court Scheduling Orders - Bellwether trial planning and settlement value estimates