A new NIH study found that using chemical hair relaxers, such as Softsheen-Carson Optimum, can increase the risk of uterine cancer by 150%. The publication of this new evidence has led to hair straightener lawsuits being filed against L’Oreal and its SoftSheen-Caron subsidiary. The plaintiffs filing these lawsuits allege that the chemicals in hair straightening products like Optimum caused them to have uterine cancer (or related conditions, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis).
In this post, we will discuss the new evidence on uterine cancer and the hair straightener and allegations in the lawsuits against L’Oreal regarding its SoftSheen Carson line of products.
About SoftSheen Carson Hair Straighteners
Hair straighteners or straighteners are widely used cosmetic products by African-American women to force their otherwise curly hair flat. Relaxing products work by using a strong mix of chemicals that break down the protein structures in hair follicles. It is estimated that 80% of black women in the US use these products.
SoftSheen Carson is one of the leading manufacturers of hair straightening products. SoftSheen has two of the top brands of hair straighteners on the market: Optimum and Dark & Lovely. SoftSheen straightening products are sold at all major retailers in the US, including Walmart, Walgreens, Amazon and others.
Today, SoftSheen Carson is a single company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of the international cosmetics company L’Oreal. L’Oreal acquired Soft Sheen Products Inc. in 1998 and in 2000 acquired Carson, Inc., both leading companies in the hair straightener market. Following these acquisitions, L’Oreal combined the two separate companies into a single brand.
The real is the world’s largest cosmetics company. It has a market capitalization of $189 billion, making it one of the largest companies in the world. In 2021, L’Oreal posted total revenue of $32.2 billion and net income of $4.6 billion.
New study links the use of capillary relaxants to uterine cancer
Over the past decade, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has conducted a comprehensive study known as the sister study. The findings of the Sister Study were published on October 17, 2022 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The study followed 33,947 women aged 35 to 74 over a period of 11 years.
The Sister Study found that women who reported using hair straighteners, such as SoftSheen Carson products, at least 4 times per year had a 150% increased risk of developing uterine cancer.
SoftSheen Carson Lawsuits
The publication of the NIH Sister Study led almost immediately to the filing of product liability lawsuits against SoftSheen Carson and L’Oreal. The plaintiffs filing these hair straightener lawsuits were women who used straightening products for years and subsequently developed uterine cancer or other conditions such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis. The plaintiffs allege that their cancer or other health conditions were caused by exposure to the chemicals in the hair straightening products.
The hair straightener lawsuits allege that companies like SoftSheen Carson and L’Oreal knew or should have known that their products could increase the risk of uterine cancer (and other conditions), but failed to warn consumers of that risk. Instead, these companies marketed their products as safe for regular use.
A group of hair straightener plaintiffs have already filed a motion with the JPML seeking consolidation of all hair straightening products liability cases in federal courts into a new MDL class action lawsuit. The defendants, led by L’Oreal, filed a response opposing the consolidation request, but the MDL request will most likely be granted anyway. The plaintiffs ask that the MDL be created in the Northern District of Illinois. The defendants prefer the Southern District of New York.
Potential Settlement Value of SoftSheen Lawsuits
Our lawyers specializing in hair straighteners estimate that a successful SoftSheen lawsuit related to uterine cancer could have a potential settlement payment range of $300,000 to $1.75 million. This is a wide range of estimated values mainly because cases of uterine cancer can present drastically different pictures depending on the circumstances. Specifically, uterine cancer cases in older postmenopausal women will have a much lower value compared to uterine cancer cases involving younger claimants who are still of reproductive age. This is because treatment for uterine cancer often leaves them unable to have children, and the cancer itself tends to be more aggressive in younger women.
SoftSheen claims involving other types of primary injuries, such as uterine fibroids or endometriosis, will have a much lower potential settlement value. There are 2 basic reasons why these cases will be worth less. First, the causal evidence linking these injuries to hair straighteners is less convincing. Second, these health conditions are not as serious as uterine cancer, which reduces your potential liquidation value.
Contact us to file a SoffSheen Optimum Lawsuit
Our firm is currently investigating product liability cases alleging that the chemicals in SoftSheen hair relaxers cause uterine cancer, breast cancer, and other conditions. If you think you qualify for a chemical hair relaxer related lawsuit, contact our office today for a free consultation at 800-553-8082 or get a free online consultation.
