What Is the Average Settlement for Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

What Is the Average Settlement for Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

As of early May 2024, the hair relaxer lawsuits have yielded no known settlements or verdicts. This mass tort is in its early stages in a U.S. District Court in Illinois. 

These lawsuits focus on the link between hair relaxer products manufactured and sold by major beauty companies and the development of certain types of cancer, particularly uterine, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.

If you have questions about this lawsuit or believe you may qualify, discuss your options with a mass tort attorney handling these cases today. Contact us for a free consultation. 

When Can I Expect Settlements or Verdicts in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

The timeline for reaching a settlement or obtaining a verdict in an MDL can vary depending on the case’s complexity, the number of lawsuits involved, the stage of litigation, and the efficiency of the legal process. 

The hair relaxer mass tort is still developing, and the ongoing hair relaxer lawsuits may take a long time before plaintiffs see any settlement offers or payouts, especially now that the MDL has grown to more than 11,100 pending cases.

Hair relaxer lawsuits continue to grow as more claimants come forward, and these hair relaxer cases have made the MDL one of the country’s largest, with 11,526 plaintiffs reported as of May 8, 2026.

Some considerations that could affect this timeline include: 

• Case Complexity: Complex cases involving thousands of plaintiffs, numerous defendants, and ongoing scientific research could take longer to resolve.
• Pretrial Motions: Pretrial motions, including motions to dismiss or motions for summary judgment, could affect the timeline of the case. The Judge already denied a motion to dismiss filed by the defendants in this case.
• Bellwether Trials: Bellwether trials are expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027 after discovery is completed by April 16, 2026, and their outcomes can affect the overall timeline.
• Settlement Negotiations: Parties may negotiate for a hair relaxer settlement at various stages of the litigation process. The timing and success of these negotiations can vary based on case developments, but most often occur after discovery or following a bellwether trial.
• Court Schedule: The availability of court dates and the court’s crowded docket can influence the timing of trial proceedings, including possibly delaying a summary verdict or bellwether trials.
• Judicial Management: Judge Mary Rowland has personally selected 10 bellwether cases to help build a representative lineup and may implement case management strategies to expedite or streamline the litigation process.

Any hair relaxer settlement amount or broader hair relaxer lawsuit settlement will depend on discovery, bellwether results, and future negotiations, with jury trials set for 2027.

Given these factors, we cannot predict an exact timeframe for a settlement or verdict in an MDL. Our team will work to keep you up to date on the case’s progress and provide you with information about any settlement offers, summary judgments, or other potential payouts.

What Is the Basis Of the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

Thousands of consumers are participating in product liability lawsuits against hair relaxer manufacturers that made and marketed certain hair relaxers containing potential carcinogens. These marketing efforts primarily targeted Black women and African American women, although people of all genders and races may have contracted cancer from hair relaxers after using chemical hair relaxer products.

According to the lawsuits, these hair products contained sodium hydroxide, guanidine hydroxide, and ammonium thioglycolate. Research, including findings cited by the National Cancer Institute, links chemical relaxers and chemical hair straighteners to serious health risks and other adverse health effects, with long-term use tied to a uterine cancer risk that more than doubles for frequent users and weekly use associated with a 43% increased risk of endometrial and uterine cancer. Plaintiffs allege these substances included endocrine-disrupting chemicals and other harmful chemicals, including phthalates and formaldehyde, tied to hormone-related cancers such as uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer, as well as uterine fibroids.

In February 2023, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated about five dozen individual hair relaxer lawsuits into multidistrict litigation under the U.S. District in the Northern District of Illinois. This case is known as MDL 3060 IN RE: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation.

The Panel reported 8,387 pending actions in the MDL as of April 1, 2024, and millions more potential plaintiffs may still file claims. The litigation names several major manufacturers and product lines, including:

• L'Oréal: Dark & Lovely and Optimum Care
• Strength of Nature: Dr. Miracle's, Just for Me, and African Pride
• Revlon: Crème of Nature and Fabulaxer, despite the company's bankruptcy proceedings
• Beauty Bell Enterprises (formerly House of Cheatham): Texture My Way and Africa's Best
• Nature Global (Also named in the litigation)

Many consumers reportedly used these products regularly for years, sometimes throughout most of their lives. Plaintiffs allege that various chemical hair relaxer products, including olive oil relaxers, may pose serious health risks tied to long-term exposure.

Many claims involve:

• Uterine cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Other serious health complications allegedly linked to repeated chemical exposure

If you used hair relaxer products and were later diagnosed with uterine, ovarian, or endometrial cancer, you should discuss your legal options with a hair relaxer lawsuit attorney as soon as possible.

What Are the Steps of Multidistrict Litigation?

Understanding how the multidistrict litigation process works is essential to knowing when and how you might recover compensation if you file a hair relaxer lawsuit and participate in the MDL.

This mass tort framework and the broader hair relaxer lawsuit process efficiently manage complex litigation involving multiple parties by consolidating similar cases for pretrial proceedings.

MDLs provide a path to close many cases—through a settlement or verdict—while preserving each individual’s right to trial and settlement negotiations. In this broader hair relaxer litigation, that structure also affects how individual claims move toward settlement or trial.

The process may require some or all of these steps:

Pretrial Motions

During pretrial motions, a lot of administrative work related to the case takes place. Plaintiffs and defendants file initial pleadings outlining their respective positions, and they could also file other pretrial motions to resolve any outstanding legal issues.

This could include motions to dismiss or motions for summary judgment. These motions and the Judge’s actions work to streamline the case and ensure it proceeds with little stalling.

This is where the hair relaxer MDL is as of April 2024. Pretrial motions and the discovery process remain ongoing. These are federal hair relaxer lawsuits consolidated for coordinated pretrial management, and filings are guided by the MDL pleadings, including the master long form complaint. Courts have scheduled no bellwether trials, although they may find their way to a court docket before the end of the year.

Discovery Process

During discovery, the parties exchange relevant documents, evidence, and information related to the case. This information exchange is essential to the case outcome.

During the discovery process, each side develops a compelling argument to use in bellwether trials and beyond. One major benefit of a mass tort is that the plaintiffs all share resources to build a case against the manufacturer of the defective or dangerous product. Repeated use can also mean repeated exposure to chemical hair relaxers and related chemical straighteners.

During discovery, both sides will take depositions. These are witness testimonies recorded under oath. They will also need to work with expert witnesses to establish a strong link between the chemicals used in hair relaxers, including hair relaxer chemicals, and the cancers in question. Plaintiffs also rely on scientific evidence about long-term exposure and injuries caused by these products.

As a part of this process, they must disclose all expert witnesses and their opinions, and they will be subject to scrutiny by the opposing parties.

Bellwether Trials

Bellwether trials serve as a way to see how the evidence each side presents will work in court. Representative cases from the MDL pool, including leading hair relaxer cancer cases, proceed to trial. These trials will occur under the watchful eye of Judge Mary M. Rowland.

The outcome of these cases does not directly affect other cases in the MDL, but they do provide insights into potential outcomes. Often, bellwether results shape settlement values in hair relaxer cancer lawsuits and other pending claims in the MDL.

Possible Outcomes

Multidistrict litigation may end with several possible outcomes, including:

• Settlement: Parties often negotiate settlements to resolve claims efficiently without going to trial. Verdicts from representative trials may guide parties toward global or tiered settlements and shape expectations around relaxer lawsuit settlement amounts.
• Dismissal: Courts may dismiss some cases due to lack of merit, legal issues, or successful pretrial motions.
• Summary Judgment: Sometimes, the judge could issue a summary judgment on the case without taking each individual lawsuit to trial.
• Remand to Original Court: Individual cases may return to their original districts for trial if they do not resolve through the MDL proceeding.

Any hair relaxer lawsuit payouts will vary based on injury severity, proof, and each plaintiff’s individual damages. In practice, cancer claims often drive higher-value negotiations.

Who Qualifies to Participate in the Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?

If you used hair straightener products or hair relaxers and later developed cancer, you might have a case against L’Oreal, Softsheen-Carson, Dark & Lovely, or another beauty products manufacturer. Some chemical hair straightener lawsuits and new hair relaxer lawsuits name specific manufacturers and brands.

You will need to demonstrate a history of using these products and a diagnosis showing you may qualify if you develop uterine cancer or otherwise develop cancer tied to these products, including:

• Uterine cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Ovarian cancer

Some cases also allege cervical cancer, breast cancer, and uterine fibroids linked to long-term use.If your loved one died from their cancer but previously used hair relaxer or straightener products, you might join the MDL with a wrongful death case.

What Should I Do if I Believe I Qualify to Join MDL 3060?

If you believe you qualify to participate in this MDL, act as soon as possible. While you may still file a lawsuit and join, you must meet deadlines, and this case could proceed quickly. 

If you believe you qualify to join MDL 3060 based on your previous hair relaxer use and cancer diagnosis:

• Get a Free Consultation: Seek advice from a qualified hair relaxer lawyer or personal injury lawyer at our law firm handling these cases. An experienced lawyer can review your claim, determine your eligibility, and explain your legal options. Contact us today to get started immediately.
• Gather Documentation: Be prepared to gather any relevant documents, such as your medical records, receipts, and other paperwork related to your diagnosis.
• File Your Lawsuit Before Any Deadlines Arrive: Mass torts have deadlines for joining or filing a lawsuit. You should talk to an attorney about the timeline for this case and how long you may have to act. Filing your hair relaxer claim and joining as soon as possible will protect your rights.
• Stay Informed: Keep on top of developments in the mass tort, including any updates on settlements, trials, or legal rulings that may affect your case. This matters because most hair relaxer lawsuits remain active, and procedural updates can affect individual cases. Our team makes this easy for clients by keeping in constant communication, answering questions, and providing updates.

How Will a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit Attorney Help With My Case?

While MDL 3060 has a team of attorneys managing the ongoing litigation, you will benefit from having your own mass tort attorney who will protect your rights and advocate on your behalf.

You will want to hire a hair relaxer lawsuit attorney for: 

• Legal Experience: An experienced mass tort attorney knows how to handle this type of complex litigation. They understand the nuances of MDL proceedings, including case assessment, discovery, pretrial motions, and settlement negotiations. They will ensure you understand what is happening and what to expect every step of the way.
• Realistic Case Evaluation: Your attorney can assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case within the context of the hair relaxer tort, helping you understand your chances of success and all possible outcomes.
• Individualized Attention: Unlike attorneys appointed by the court to represent the entire MDL, your own attorney can provide personalized attention to your case, addressing your specific concerns and advocating for your interests.
• Strategic Guidance: Your attorney will develop a personalized legal strategy based on the unique circumstances of your case, including whether to pursue a settlement or proceed to trial.
• Ease of Communication: Your attorney serves as your primary point of contact throughout the MDL process, keeping you informed of important developments, deadlines, and decisions.
• Maximizing Compensation: With your attorney’s assistance, you can seek maximum compensation for your damages, including medical costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other costs.
• Protection of Rights: Your attorney will ensure your rights are protected throughout the MDL proceedings, including safeguarding your privacy, challenging adverse rulings, and advocating for a fair payout.

Having your own hair relaxer mass tort attorney can significantly enhance your ability to navigate the complexities of this MDL and pursue the best possible outcome in your case.

Discuss Your Cancer Diagnosis and Hair Relaxer Use With Our Team Today

If you have a history of using hair relaxer or straightener products and later received a uterine, endometrial, or ovarian cancer diagnosis, you could qualify to join thousands of consumers attempting to hold beauty product companies accountable, and many hair relaxer cancer claims focus on serious reproductive cancers tied to long-term product use.

If you were harmed by chemical hair products, get a free case evaluation today.

Call (866) 535-9515 or complete our online form to connect with our team.