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L’Oreal Uterine Cancer Lawyers

L'Oreal Uterine Cancer LawyersL’Oréal is the world’s largest cosmetics company and was founded in 1909 in Paris, France. They develop a range of products for hair color, skin care, sun protection, make-up, perfume and hair care. A recent study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that women who use chemical hair straitening products were statistically much more likely to develop breast, ovarian and uterine cancers. Just a few days after the study was released, a woman from Missouri sued L’Oreal in federal court and alleged that her ovarian cancer was a result of her using the company’s hair-straightening products.

The lawsuit also targets several other large hair-products companies including Strength of Nature Global LLC, Soft Sheen Carson (W.I.) Inc., Dabur International Ltd. and Dabur USA Inc., and Namaste Laboratories. Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. It is particularly more common among black women. The lawsuit accuses L’Oreal of targeting black women through their advertisements without warning them about the risks. This is despite the fact that L’Oreal knew since 2015 that its products contained potentially dangerous chemicals. These chemicals have been linked to breast, ovarian and uterine cancer. Any person that develops breast, ovarian or uterine cancer after using hair straighteners may have legal recourse through a bodily injury claim. These large cosmetics companies can be held accountable for their actions. Our team of personal injury attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. are here to help in any way that we can. We can evaluate your case free of cost and let you know what your legal rights are. You can reach us anytime at 800-529-9997.

Understanding The Link Between Hair Products and Uterine Cancer

People who infrequently use hair straightening products were not statistically more likely to develop uterine cancer. However, a large portion of the customers that use hair straightening products are frequent users. The efficacy of hair-straightening products wanes over time and does not affect new hair as it comes in. As a result, women who are trying to maintain straight hair with these products must use them over and over again. Previous epidemiologic studies have shown that hair straighteners were associated with a number of outcomes including:

  • Lower sex steroid hormore levels
  • Elevated risk of uterine leiomyomata
  • Early age at menarche
  • Breast cancer
  • Ovarian cancer

Hair straightening products from L’Oréal and other companies contain chemical endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic properties, according to a new study in Oxford Academic. After following women for 11 years, researchers determined that women who frequently used hair straightening products were more likely to develop uterine cancer. In fact, frequent users of chemical hair straighteners had a 4% chance of developing cancer. This compares to a 1.64% chance for those that did not use hair straighteners. The lawsuits against these companies claim that prolonged exposure to the phthalates in the hair straightening products causes hormone imbalances that can lead to cancer.

Signs Of Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer is a rare and hard-to-treat type of cancer that occurs in the womb. It is classified as an endometrial cancer that typically begins in the layers of cells that form the lining of the uterus. Endometrial cancer can often be discovered early on because it produces abnormal vaginal bleeding. If a uterine cancer is discovered early on, it can often be cured by surgically removing the uterus. In addition to abnormal vaginal bleeding, there are a number of signs that women should look for which could point to uterine cancer.

  • Bleeding between periods
  • Pelvic pain
  • Pressure in the pelvic region
  • Weight loss
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Pain during urination

Black woman, in particular, were statistically much more likely to be frequent users of chemical hair straighteners and are therefore at a greater risk of developing uterine cancers. Any person that has consistently used hair straightening products from L’Oreal should consult with their doctor before continuing to use these products. You should also consult with your doctor if you are experiencing any of the common symptoms of uterine cancer. Certain people may need to be consistently monitored if they are at a heightened risk of developing cancer.

Demonstrating Liability For Dangerous Cosmetic Products

Companies that manufacturer cosmetics have a legal responsibility to ensure that the products that they are selling to consumers are reasonably safe. To than end, products that include the use of chemical agents which could potentially be harmful should be properly tested. If a company fails to create products that are reasonably safe, this could form the basis of a product liability claim. In general, product liability claims will fall under one of three categories: Negligence (PJI 2:125); Strict Products Liability (PJI 2:120) Breach of Warranty (PJI 2:140). In either a negligence or strict liability case the plaintiff will need to argue the product was either defective or unreasonably safe. The plaintiff’s burden of proof is to show one of the following.

  • Design Defect: The product was unreasonably safe and created a substantial risk of injury; It was feasible for the product to have been designed in a safe manner; and The defect was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury.
  • Failure to Warn: The defendant failed to warn the plaintiff of the dangers associated with their product.
  • Manufacturing Defects: A product caused injury by not performing as intended. However, other products of identical design do not fail.

The major problem with the hair straightening products from L’Oreal is that some of the chemicals that they use are potentially dangerous with frequent exposure. The basis of the lawsuits against L’Oreal is threefold. They created products that were unreasonably dangerous. They knew (or should have known) that their products were unreasonably dangerous. They failed to adequately warn about the risk of cancer and other ailments consumers could face from using their products. L’Oreal and the other companies have known that these chemicals have been linked with other cancers even before the recent study came out regarding uterine cancer.

Getting Help After Using L’Oreal and Other Hair Products

Being diagnosed with cancer is one of the most difficult things that most people will ever go through. It can be difficult to know where to begin. But it is important for the victims of L’Oreal and these other cosmetics companies to know that they do have rights. For years, L’Oreal and other companies that sell hair straightening products have been targeting primarily black and ethnic woman to buy their products. But they have failed to properly warn consumers that their products can cause cancer.

Best Lawyers: Edward Gersowitz, Jeff Korek and Michael Fruhling - PartnersAny woman that has been diagnosed with breast, ovarian or uterine cancer after frequently using chemical hair straighteners should consult with an attorney. Our team of highly experienced attorneys at Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. are here to help in any way that we can. We care deeply that people who have been harmed by dangerous products are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Our legal team can examine all of the unique facts of your case free of cost and let you know if you have a valid claim that can be pursued. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free legal consultation, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 800-529-9997.

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