Do I Have a Hair Straightener Lawsuit?

Not Sure If You Have a Hair Straightener Lawsuit? Here’s What to Do

If you’ve been following the news about chemical hair relaxers and cancer, you may be wondering if you have a hair straightener lawsuit yourself. If you’ve used these products and gotten cancer, should you take legal action?

What if you have no idea if you have a case?

As a Memphis personal injury lawyer, I’ve spoken to many women in the same position. Some don’t know which products they used. Others aren’t sure whether their cancer qualifies. And many simply don’t have all the paperwork they think they need.

The truth is, you don’t have to have all the answers before you call a lawyer. You just need to start the conversation. Here’s what to do if you’re not sure whether you qualify for a hair straightener lawsuit.

Step 1: Knowing What the Lawsuit Is About

These lawsuits focus on chemical hair straightening products (both “lye” and “no-lye” relaxers) that contain harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates, and parabens. When you apply these products to the scalp, the chemicals can be absorbed into the body. They can disrupt hormones and increase the risk of:

• Uterine cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Ovarian cancer

Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that women who use chemical straighteners four or more times per year have more than twice the risk of developing uterine cancer compared to women who never use them.

The lawsuits claim the manufacturers knew, or should have known, about these dangers. What’s worse, they failed to warn consumers. And most especially, they failed to warn the Black women and young girls most targeted by their marketing.

Step 2: Seeing if You Meet the Basic Criteria

You may qualify for a hair straightener lawsuit if:

• You’re female
• You used chemical relaxers regularly for at least two years (around four times per year)
• You were later diagnosed with uterine, ovarian, or endometrial cancer
• Your diagnosis came after your product use began
• You are still within your state’s filing deadline (in Tennessee, that can be really short, but we can help you figure it out)

But even if you’re missing some details – like, say for instance, you aren’t sure what day you started using the product – call a lawyer anyway. Our legal team can help you figure these things out and build your case.

Step 3: Don’t Assume You’re Disqualified

Many women think they can’t file because they’re missing certain details. Maybe you’re in the same boat.

Some of the most common reasons you might assume you don’t qualify include:

• You don’t remember every brand you used
• You threw away old bottles years ago
• Your family has a history of cancer
• You stopped using relaxers before your diagnosis

None of these automatically disqualifies you. We’ve built strong cases with a variety of clients, and we can help you figure out the details.

Step 4: Gather What You Can

While you don’t need every piece of evidence before calling a lawyer, gathering a few key items as you have them will help your attorney review your case quickly:

• Medical records showing your cancer diagnosis and treatment timeline
• Proof of product use, like receipts, salon invoices, photos, or witness statements
• Personal timeline of when you started and stopped using hair straighteners
• Names of salons, stylists, or stores where you bought products

Our experienced injury lawyers can use this information to build a case quickly, and we can also let you know any other information that might be useful based on what you have.

Step 5: Act Quickly – Deadlines Are Short

One of the most important reasons to talk to a lawyer now is the statute of limitations, which is the legal deadline to file your claim.

In Tennessee, that can be just one year from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) that your cancer may be linked to hair straighteners. Other states give two or three years, but none keep the window open forever.

If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to compensation, no matter how strong your case is. So you shouldn’t delay in reaching out for help.

Step 6: Choose a Lawyer Who Knows How to Win

A hair straightener lawsuit is not a simple personal injury claim. It involves complex medical science, corporate documents, and coordinated national litigation. You need a law firm with:

• Experience in major product liability cases
• A proven track record against billion-dollar corporations
• Local knowledge of Tennessee law and courts
• Resources to investigate, hire experts, and take cases to trial if needed

As an award-winning Memphis trial lawyer, I’ve fought – and won – against some of the biggest corporations in America. My team knows how to prove these cases and maximize compensation for our clients. And as a result, we’ve won millions.

If you’re on the fence, we offer a free consultation to help you get information on whether you have a case, what it might be worth, and what steps to take next. And we don’t get paid anything unless and until we win for you.

So you have nothing to lose, but you could have everything to gain.

Get the Right Help Today

If you used chemical hair straighteners and later developed uterine, ovarian, or endometrial cancer, you owe it to yourself to find out if you qualify for a lawsuit. Don’t let uncertainty keep you from getting answers and seeking justice.

Call our Memphis office today or fill out our online form for a free, confidential case review. We’ll listen, guide you, and fight for the truth on your behalf.