Recently, the dangers of chemical hair straighteners have been documented by many major news outlets. The source of this information was a government-funded study that recorded a troubling link between chemical hair straighteners and cancer. As soon as this information was made public, many women realized that they may have the right to sue the manufacturers of these hair products. There are now many lawsuits against manufacturers of hair straightening products.
Keep reading to learn more about the link between chemical hair straighteners and cancer.
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Study shows that chemical hair straighteners can cause cancer
A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, better known as the NIH, has established a link between the frequent usage of hair straighteners and uterine cancer. Women who use hair straightening products at least four times per year have a far higher rate of uterine cancer than those who do not use hair straightening products. These women may also be more likely to develop breast cancer. It should be noted that black women are the biggest users of hair straighteners, and black women also have the highest rates of uterine cancer. While this revelation is certainly disturbing, women who developed uterine cancer due to hair straightening chemicals can still find justice.
Manufacturers may be liable
Manufacturers have a legal responsibility to avoid releasing dangerous products. If they do release dangerous products, people who were harmed by these products may have the right to sue. This kind of lawsuit is commonly known as a product liability suit. There are three potential civil offenses that these suits can concentrate on:
- Negligence
- Breach of warranty
- Strict liability
Product liability suits can even accuse a manufacturer of more than one type of offense. However, it is most common for product liability suits to accuse a manufacturer of negligence.
Jennifer Mitchell was the first to sue
Shortly after the NIH’s study was published, Jennifer Mitchell became the first woman to file a hair straightening lawsuit. She filed her suit in the United States Federal Court for the Northern District of Illinois. It is important to note that the suit was filed in a federal court, not a state court or a county court. This is because the manufacturer is alleged to have violated federal laws.
Women who had uterine cancer due to hair straightening chemicals can file suits
Many women filed suit shortly after Mitchell filed her lawsuit. Any woman who has uterine cancer caused by hair straightening products may have grounds for a lawsuit. It is best for women in this situation to consult with a personal injury lawyer. Personal injury lawyers who specialize in product liability cases can help the most, as product liability is a complex area of the law. As with any kind of legal case, it is important to find an attorney that has successfully represented clients in very similar cases. This will give you the best chance of succeeding with your suit.
