Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Settlements

Hair relaxer lawsuit settlements refer to potential financial compensation that may be available to individuals who developed cancer or other serious health conditions after long-term use of hair relaxer products. Plaintiffs allege that manufacturers failed to adequately warn consumers about the health risks associated with repeated exposure to chemicals found in these products.

These claims are brought under product liability law, which holds manufacturers responsible for the safety of their products. Unlike class actions, hair relaxer lawsuits are being pursued as a mass tort, meaning each plaintiff files an individual claim. Settlement amounts can differ significantly depending on the type and severity of the injury, the strength of the evidence, and other case-specific factors.

Companies named in hair relaxer lawsuits include:

• L’Oréal USA, Inc. – manufacturer of Dark & Lovely and other relaxer brands
• Strength of Nature Global, LLC – maker of Just for Me, Motions, and Soft & Beautiful
• Namaste Laboratories, LLC – manufacturer of ORS Olive Oil relaxers
• Dabur International Ltd. and Godrej Consumer Products, Ltd. – associated with SoftSheen-Carson and Just for Me brands
• Revlon, Inc. – producer of Crème of Nature relaxers

Health conditions linked to hair relaxer lawsuits

The lawsuits focus on cancer and other serious reproductive health conditions that research has linked with long-term exposure to hair relaxers:

• Uterine cancer: A primary injury alleged in many claims, supported by multiple epidemiological studies.
• Ovarian cancer: Plaintiffs claim that chemical exposure contributed to ovarian cancer diagnoses.
• Endometrial cancer: Exposure may increase the risk of this less common but serious cancer.

Reproductive system harm: Includes hysterectomies, fertility complications and long-term reproductive health impacts.

If settlements are reached, compensation may cover multiple categories of damages. Generally, these damages are split into two main types: economic (your financial losses) and non-economic (intangible, personal losses).

Economic Damages

• Medical Expenses: Compensation for past and future costs related to injuries, including surgeries, hysterectomies, fertility treatments, chemotherapy, radiation and other cancer therapies.
• Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: Damages for income lost due to injury and treatment, as well as the loss of future potential earnings.
• Other Out-of-Pocket Costs: Expenses such as transportation to medical appointments, specialized equipment and costs for temporary or long-term care or assistance.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical discomfort and agony caused by the injury and subsequent medical treatments.
• Emotional Distress: Damages for mental anguish, anxiety, depression and psychological trauma resulting from the diagnosis and its impact.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the inability to participate in hobbies, activities and daily life as fully as before the injury.

Victims' families may also be eligible for compensation related to the damage the injury has caused to their relationship and companionship.

Every case is unique, and individual circumstances will affect how damages are calculated. However, there are several factors that will likely affect settlement amounts:

• Type and severity of injury: More serious diagnoses, such as uterine cancer, may correspond with higher compensation.
• Duration and frequency of use: Long-term, consistent use of hair relaxers may strengthen causation claims.
• Medical costs and treatment plans: Expenses related to surgeries, fertility treatments or cancer care will play a major role.
• Plaintiff demographics and health history: Individual factors can affect how damages are calculated.
• Strength of evidence: The quality of medical records, expert testimony and proof of product use will influence outcomes.

It is likely that the first settlement amounts won’t be known until the litigation stage, particularly the results of bellwether trials. These often set benchmarks for broader settlement negotiations in MDLs.

As of January 2026, more than 10,900 lawsuits were pending in the Hair Relaxer Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 3060), centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois before Judge Mary M. Rowland. The MDL combines similar cases from across the country for coordinated discovery and pretrial rulings and preserves each plaintiff’s individual right to trial or settlement. Motley Rice attorney Fidelma Fitzpatrick is co-lead counsel and attorney Tope Leyimu serves on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for the MDL.

Litigation is also proceeding in state court through the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Motley Rice is taking a leading role in these cases, with member attorney Mike Daly appointed as liaison counsel in May 2025.

Lawsuits allege that exposure to chemical hair relaxers caused uterine, ovarian and endometrial cancers and serious reproductive injuries. Plaintiffs claim that manufacturers failed to warn consumers, many of whom are Black women, about the long-term health risks of repeated chemical exposure.

The MDL was centralized in February 2023, and the Pennsylvania state tort actions were consolidated in April 2025. Bellwether trials in the MDL are expected to begin in late 2026. These early trials will test evidence, help establish liability and influence potential settlement negotiations.

To date, no global or individual settlements have been reached, and defendants continue to deny wrongdoing.

Has anyone received a settlement from the hair relaxer lawsuit?

No settlements have been reached yet in the MDL. Settlement negotiations typically follow bellwether trials, which help shape the potential range of settlement values.

What is the average settlement for hair relaxer lawsuits?

There is no finalized amount at this stage. In similar mass tort litigations, settlement amounts vary based on injury severity, medical expenses and strength of evidence.

How do I qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit settlement?

Individuals who regularly used hair relaxers and were later diagnosed with uterine, ovarian or endometrial cancer or experienced related reproductive injuries may be eligible to file a claim. An attorney can review medical records, product use history and other evidence to determine eligibility.

For decades, Motley Rice attorneys have helped individuals and families struggling with health conditions related to defective products and toxic ingredients. Our attorneys are committed to holding manufacturers and companies accountable for their actions.

Attorneys in our law firm have experience litigating cases against manufacturers whose products have harmed women through the use of dangerous or toxic ingredients and misleading labeling and marketing.

We’ve represented women who:

• Used talc-based baby powder products and developed ovarian cancer after repeated use
• Experienced severe complications after using intrauterine devices (IUDs) and other permanent or semi-permanent birth control devices like Paragard, Essure, NuvaRing and Mirena
• Developed breast cancer related to defects in breast implants manufactured by Allergan

Our attorneys understand that dealing with severe health complications can be life-altering and difficult. They’ll help you weigh your legal options.

Read more on our toxic exposure litigation experience.