Recent medical studies have found connections between Cantu Shea Butter Hair Relaxer products and an increased risk of certain cancers and other hormonal disorders. This is due to the presence of certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present in chemical hair straighteners. If you or someone you love has suffered harm or damage from the presence of these harmful chemicals, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact an attorney as soon as possible regarding your Cantu hair products lawsuit.
The product liability lawyers at Reich & Binstock are currently investigating claims involving Cantu hair products and uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer. Our nationally-recognized mass tort lawyers have what it takes to properly evaluate your claim and give sound legal advice on how to proceed with your claim. To schedule your free consultation about your hair relaxer cancer lawsuit, please call Reich & Binstock at 713-622-7271 today.
What Are Hair Relaxers?
First, it’s important to understand exactly what hair relaxers are and what they do. Chemical relaxers are creams or lotions that are applied to wavy hair, textured hair, or curly hair. They work by chemically changing the texture of the hair, breaking down the natural curls to straighten the hair. Depending on hair texture and hair types, different people often see different results from the same relaxer.
Most professional hair stylists recommend performing a “strand test” before applying a relaxer to natural hair. By applying only small amounts of relaxer to hair strands, the stylist can get an idea of how the rest of the hair will respond to the relaxer. Most chemical relaxers will leave the hair relaxed for around six to eight weeks.
Relaxers work by breaking down the disulfide bonds in the inner layer of the hair. The hair is held in a straight pattern as the bonds reform, which is how the straightening occurs. In order to better protect your hair follicles and scalp, professionals advise against using relaxers on freshly washed hair. This is because the natural oils found in the hair and on the scalp will protect you from the harsh chemicals in relaxers.
What Is the Cantu Hair Products Lawsuit About?
The Cantu Shea Butter Hair Relaxer lawsuits allege that, when used as directed, the product caused them scalp irritation and burns. Additionally, these hair straightener products contain certain chemicals that researchers found to be toxic and disruptive to the body’s hormones. When this disruption occurs, it can lead to the development of certain cancers, such as uterine cancer, endometrial cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Rather than calling for immediate compensation, victims claim that the manufacturers of Cantu products should pay for medical monitoring for women who used those products. This medical monitoring could be the key in detecting certain health conditions, such as breast cancer and uterine cancer, as early as possible. Early detection could help victims in detecting certain health problems early so they can get the treatment they need.
Harmful Ingredients in Cantu Hair Relaxers
It’s no surprise that the average consumer is unaware of the significance of most chemicals listed on an ingredients label. Having terms like ethyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and other chemicals listed won’t tell a consumer what they need to know about the safety of a product and its ingredients.
As one of the leading brands of hair relaxer products, Cantu has been used by millions of people, especially by African American women for the purpose of straightening their natural hair. Unfortunately, several of the ingredients included in Cantu shea butter hair products are harmful endocrine disruptors. Examples of these chemicals include parabens, phthalates, and nonylphenols.
As an industry, cosmetics are worth more than $500 billion. Despite their knowledge of the harm that endocrine-disrupting chemicals can cause, many brands and manufacturers still choose to use them. Women who have suffered harm from these products are coming forward in increasing numbers, filing lawsuits against the companies that caused their harm. We strongly recommend speaking with a product liability attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
Is Cantu Bad for Your Hair?
This heavily depends on the specific product you use, how often you use it, and many other factors. Although Cantu products often contain many beneficial and “natural” ingredients, such as coconut oil, pure shea butter, and other natural oils, this does not offset the dangers of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that the products also contain.
When used improperly, some hair products are known to cause dry hair, frizzy hair, or hair loss. However, the potential dangers of EDCs are far greater than the potential benefits of chemical straighteners. Cantu’s products are not inherently harmful, but some of the chemicals contained within them increase one’s risk of very dangerous health conditions.
NIH Study Linking Uterine Cancer to Hair Relaxer Use
According to one study conducted by the National Institutes of Health, women who used hair relaxers were nearly twice as likely to develop uterine cancer compared to women who did not use relaxers. The study included data taken from more than 33,000 women in total. The same study also looked for risk factors from using hair dyes, curling cream, and other hair care products. It did not find an increased risk of uterine cancer or breast cancer from other hair products aside from the chemical relaxers.
The study specifically analyzed a possible link between hair relaxer products and cancers that grow as a response to hormonal changes. This includes ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and uterine cancer. Ultimately, they estimated that the risk of developing uterine cancer by the age of 70 was 4.05%. This is more than double the rate for women who never used chemical hair relaxers – 1.64%.
How to File a Cantu Shea Butter Lawsuit
The first step in filing a Cantu hair products lawsuit is to contact a skilled product liability lawyer. These cases are extremely complex, and we strongly recommend working with a skilled attorney before you attempt to file a claim. We will evaluate the facts of your case, identify whether or not you qualify for a lawsuit, and help you pursue compensation. Our attorneys are highly qualified when it comes to holding manufacturers accountable for their dangerous products and their failure to warn consumers. Contact Reich & Binstock as soon as possible to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your Cantu products lawsuit.
What Is a Cantu Hair Products Lawsuit Worth?
It is very difficult to determine the potential value of a lawsuit for a particular Cantu product, as the value of these cases varies widely. Some women have suffered from chemical burns, scalp irritation, damaged hair, and other injuries. Others have seen far worse consequences, such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, and more.
Any settlement estimates that you read online will be purely speculative. You will need to speak with a qualified attorney for a more accurate understanding of what your case might be worth. Below, we outline some of the most important factors in determining the values of certain hair relaxer claims.
Potential Value of Uterine Cancer Claims
Uterine cancer is a very serious diagnosis. If doctors can detect and treat uterine cancer before it spreads outside the uterus, the expected survival rate is around 95%. If the cancer goes undetected and is allowed to spread, the estimated survival rate plummets to around 17%. This is why so many women in hair relaxer lawsuits are calling for medical monitoring, as it is crucial to have early diagnoses and treatments to increase victims’ likelihood of surviving.
Potential Value of Endometriosis and Uterine Fibroid Claims
Uterine fibroids and endometriosis are both very painful conditions. Although settlement values in these cases are likely to be lower than for ovarian or uterine cancer claims, they can still be significant. Additionally, the evidence linking uterine fibroids and endometriosis to hair relaxers is weaker than the evidence for uterine and ovarian cancer. We still recommend speaking with an attorney for a proper evaluation of the potential value of your claim.
Potential Value of Ovarian Cancer Claims
Ovarian cancer is a very serious condition, especially if it is not detected and treated early. It is the fifth most deadly form of cancer in women, as well as the deadliest form of cancer that originates in the female reproductive system. The value of an ovarian cancer claim will depend on many factors, including the plaintiff’s age. A younger plaintiff would be more devastated by an ovarian cancer diagnosis, as most women who have ovarian cancer are postmenopausal. However, ovarian cancer is still a very serious diagnosis. The potential settlement values for these claims are relatively high.
Do I Need an Attorney for My Cantu Hair Product Lawsuit?
You are not legally required to hire an attorney to file a claim for compensation in a Cantu Hair Product lawsuit. However, we strongly advise you to at least schedule a free consultation with an attorney about your claim. These cases are still under investigation, and the companies involved in the lawsuits have teams of lawyers on their side. It is very difficult to go up against these attorneys without legal counsel of your own.
The attorneys at Reich & Binstock have considerable experience suing large corporations and brands for their dangerous products. We have the skills and knowledge to represent you against powerhouse defendants. Don’t wait to contact us about your hair relaxer lawsuit. We can advise you of the best course of action.
Contact Reich & Binstock Today
If you or someone you love has suffered harm as a result of using Cantu products, or if you fear you may suffer harm in the future, contact Reich & Binstock right away. We will evaluate your situation, gather evidence to support your claim, and represent you in court if necessary. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with us by calling 713-622-7271 today. Our attorneys are here to give you the tools and support you need to pursue full and fair compensation in your case.
