If you or a loved one in North Carolina has been diagnosed with uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, or other serious health conditions after prolonged use of chemical hair relaxers, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we are committed to protecting the rights of North Carolina residents harmed by dangerous products. Our experienced hair relaxer lawsuit attorneys in North Carolina are here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
For a free, no-obligation case review, please contact our team or call 1-800-525-7111. There are no upfront costs and we don’t get paid unless you do.
We are committed to seeking maximum compensation for our clients.
Understanding Hair Relaxer Lawsuits
Hair relaxers have been widely used for decades, primarily by Black women and others seeking to straighten their hair. Recent studies, including research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), have linked long-term exposure to the chemicals in these products with an increased risk of hormone-related cancers and other health problems, particularly:
- Uterine Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Endometrial Cancer
- Fibroids and Other Reproductive Health Issues
In response to these findings, a significant number of lawsuits have been filed nationwide against manufacturers of popular hair relaxer brands. As of early 2025, over 9,800 cases are pending in the federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) established to handle these claims. This MDL consolidates similar cases to streamline the legal process and is overseen by Judge Mary M. Rowland in the Northern District of Illinois.
July 2025 Update
Hair relaxer cancer lawsuits continue to move forward in multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 3060), centralized in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois before Judge Mary Rowland. As of July 2025, the MDL includes over 8,200 filed cases, with hundreds more under investigation. Plaintiffs allege that long-term use of chemical hair straightening products contributed to the development of uterine, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.
The lawsuits target major manufacturers such as L’Oréal, Revlon, Dabur (parent company of Namaste), and Strength of Nature, claiming the companies failed to warn consumers — especially Black women — of the known or foreseeable risks of regular exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals present in their products.
Key developments include:
- Bellwether case selection is ongoing: The parties have submitted lists of potential bellwether plaintiffs to serve as representative cases for early trials. These cases will help test legal theories and shape settlement negotiations.
- Expert discovery has begun: Both sides are preparing expert reports and depositions to address causation, product formulation, toxicology, and risk exposure.
- Daubert challenges are expected: The admissibility of expert testimony on the link between chemical relaxers and cancer will be a critical factor in the litigation’s trajectory.
Judge Rowland has emphasized efficiency and transparency in case management, and the court has adopted protocols to streamline discovery and pretrial motions. No global settlement has been reached, but negotiations could accelerate following the first bellwether trials, expected to begin in mid-to-late 2026.
As scientific studies continue to support potential links between hair relaxer use and hormone-related cancers, the outcome of this MDL could have broad implications for product safety and consumer justice. Individuals who have developed cancer after long-term relaxer use still have time to pursue legal action.
Riddle & Riddle is committed to following this litigation closely and will continue to provide updates as the cases progress toward trial.
Do You Qualify for a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit?
You may qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit if you meet the following criteria:
- You used chemical hair relaxers regularly for an extended period.
- NOTE: Only certain brands of hair relaxers may qualify for this litigation, including (but not necessarily limited to): Just for Me; Soft & Beautiful; Motions; Dark & Lovely; Olive Oil Girls; and other lye or no-lye hair relaxers
- You were diagnosed with one of the following illnesses:
- Uterine cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Other reproductive health disorders linked to chemical exposure
- You have medical records confirming your diagnosis.
If you meet these criteria, you may have a case. Call 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE case review.
Why Choose Riddle & Riddle?
As a North Carolina-based law firm, Riddle & Riddle has decades of experience fighting for victims of corporate negligence. We understand the devastating impact a cancer diagnosis can have on individuals and families. Our firm has successfully recovered over $850,000,000 in compensation for clients since 2000 alone (see disclaimer below) and we strive to treat clients like family.
We’re proud of the words our valued clients use to describe their experience working with our attorneys and staff:
“You’ll walk in the door as a client but leave as family; they’re the absolute best.” — Susan S., Riddle & Riddle client
Led by attorney and managing partner Gene Riddle and his daughter, attorney and partner Alex Riddle, our North Carolina hair relaxer attorneys have been recognized for excellence in personal injury and product liability law, with memberships and accolades including:
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel
- Super Lawyers and Super Lawyers Rising stars
- North Carolina Advocates for Justice
- AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
Call us today at 1-800-525-7111 for a FREE consultation.
The Health Risks of Chemical Hair Relaxers
Scientific research has found that many hair relaxers contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as phthalates and parabens. These chemicals interfere with hormone regulation and have been linked to:
- Increased risk of hormone-related cancers
- Early puberty in girls
- Fibroids and other reproductive health disorders
Many women have used hair relaxers without knowing the risks, believing these products to be safe. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a serious illness after years of using chemical hair straighteners, you may have legal options.
Steps to Take If You Believe You Qualify
- Gather Documentation:
- Medical records confirming your diagnosis.
- Proof of hair relaxer use (receipts, product packaging, or photos).
- Consult with Our Attorneys:
- Contact Riddle & Riddle at 1-800-525-7111 for a free case evaluation.
- Discuss your health history and product use with our legal team.
- Take Legal Action:
- If you qualify and decide to hire us, our attorneys can guide you through the legal process.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
For a FREE case review, call 1-800-525-7111 today.
The Legal Process for a Hair Relaxer Lawsuit
If you qualify for a hair relaxer lawsuit in North Carolina and decide to hire us, our legal team will guide you through the following steps:
- Case Evaluation: A free consultation to assess your eligibility and answer any questions. Call 1-800-525-7111 to speak with an attorney.
- Investigation and Documentation: Collecting the necessary evidence to build a strong case.
- Filing the Lawsuit: Initiating legal proceedings against the manufacturer(s) of chemical hair relaxers.
- Negotiation and Settlement Talks: Many product liability cases result in substantial settlements for victims (however, there are no guarantees and the outcome of any case depends on the specific facts and circumstances of that case).
- Trial, If Necessary: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our attorneys are prepared to help take your case to court.
Act Now to Protect Your Rights
Hair relaxer lawsuits are still developing, but time may be limited to file a claim. Statutes of limitations vary by state, and delaying action can impact your ability to receive compensation. If you or a loved one has been affected in North Carolina, now is the time to seek justice.
Call 1-800-525-7111 today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation with an experienced North Carolina hair relaxer attorney.
When Justice Counts™, count on the team at Riddle & Riddle. If you or a loved one has suffered harm potentially due to chemical hair relaxers, call us today at 1-800-525-7111 and let’s see how we can help.