What You Need to Know About the Recent Mass Tort Litigation for Chemical Hair Straighteners

Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley
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Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley

Women are suing L’Oréal and other hair product companies for selling dangerous chemical hair straighteners. With a recent study suggesting that women who use these products “frequently” (four or more times in a year) are approximately 2.5 times more likely to develop uterine cancer, these companies are now facing the fallout from their decision to sell dangerous products with known cancer-causing agents.

While some women are suing individually, many are joining the pending mass tort litigation against L’Oréal and various other hair product companies. In a mass tort lawsuit, multiple plaintiffs join together to assert their legal rights in court. This streamlines the process, and it also allows plaintiffs who may have relatively small claims to still seek the financial compensation they deserve. Without mass tort litigation, it may prove too expensive for some plaintiffs to pursue their claims individually. But, with mass tort litigation, it is feasible for many more individuals to pursue their claims.

7 Important Facts About the Chemical Hair Straightener Mass Tort Litigation

So, if you have used a chemical hair straightener, what do you need to know about the pending mass tort litigation? Here’s an overview:

1. Mass Tort Litigation Involving Chemical Hair Straighteners is Currently Pending

Mass tort litigation involving chemical hair straighteners is currently pending. Women are already asserting their legal rights against L’Oréal and other hair product companies liable across the country. In these chemical hair straightener lawsuits, women are joining together to seek just compensation for the financial and non-financial costs they have incurred (and will incur) as a result of these companies’ decisions to sell dangerous cancer-causing products.

2. It Is Not Too Late to Join the Mass Tort Litigation Against L’Oréal and Other Companies

Even though the mass tort litigation against L’Oréal and other hair product companies has already started, it is not too late to join. Once a mass tort lawsuit has been filed, additional plaintiffs have the opportunity to join throughout the process.

When you join a mass tort lawsuit, your claim will be added to the hundreds or thousands of claims already pending. However, mass tort lawsuits are different from class actions—where one “representative” plaintiff pursues the litigation on behalf of the entire class. When you join a mass tort lawsuit, you must still be able to prove your right to just compensation, and this means that it is important to have an experienced attorney on your side.

3. It Costs Nothing Out of Pocket to Join the Chemical Hair Straightener Mass Tort Litigation

It costs nothing out of pocket to join a chemical hair straightener lawsuit. In this way, joining the mass tort litigation is similar to filing a products liability claim on your own. Your attorney will represent you on a contingency-fee basis, which means that you pay nothing unless you win. If your claim is successful, your attorneys’ fees will be deducted from your settlement or verdict.

4. You Can (and Should) Speak with an Attorney to Find Out if You Qualify to Join

To find out if you qualify to join the pending mass tort litigation related to cancer caused by chemical hair straighteners, you will need to speak with an attorney. You should do so promptly, as you have nothing to lose, and getting started sooner will allow you to recover just compensation as quickly as possible. While there are no guarantees, the volume of pending claims related to chemical hair straighteners suggests that many women have strong claims for just compensation. We are actively pursuing these claims, and our attorneys can explain everything you need to know.

5. Additional Mass Tort Lawsuits Will Likely Be Filed

Even if you do not qualify to join an existing mass tort lawsuit, additional lawsuits may be filed. As more women come forward, we anticipate that the mass tort litigation against the hair product companies will spread throughout the country. Our attorneys can determine if you qualify to join an existing lawsuit, and if you do not, we may be able to use your case to initiate litigation in an additional jurisdiction.

6. Plaintiffs in Mass Tort Litigation Can Recover Their Financial and Non-Financial Losses

As a plaintiff in a mass tort lawsuit, you have the right to recover just compensation for all of your financial and non-financial losses. This includes your medical bills for diagnosis and treatment, as well as your prescriptions, lost earnings, and other out-of-pocket costs. It also includes the pain and suffering caused by your cancer, as well as your emotional trauma, loss of consortium and companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life.

When you hire an attorney to represent you, your attorney will work with you to calculate all of the current and future costs of your cancer diagnosis. Your attorney will also collect the evidence needed to prove these costs in court. Your attorney will then work to settle your claim for just compensation, and if the hair product company that is responsible for your cancer refuses to settle, your attorney will take your claim to trial.

7. Your First Step is to Schedule a Free Initial Consultation

Regardless of the timing and your individual circumstances, your first step is to schedule a free initial consultation. This is your opportunity to learn everything you need to know about your legal rights and the process of joining a mass tort lawsuit. During your free initial consultation, your attorney will answer all of your questions, provide a preliminary assessment of your claim, and help you make informed decisions about your next steps.

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DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.

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