This article provides educational information. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific situation.
Many individuals who may have a viable hair relaxer lawsuit hesitate because the legal process feels unfamiliar and uncertain. This article walks through what the process generally looks like from initial consultation through potential resolution, so that people considering a claim can approach it with a clearer sense of what to expect.
Step One: The Initial Consultation
The process begins with a free consultation. You will be asked about your history of hair relaxer use, including the products you used and approximately how long and how frequently you used them, and about your health history, including your diagnosis, when it was made, and what treatment you received. You do not need to have all of your records or perfect recall of every product you used. The purpose of this conversation is to assess whether your situation appears to meet the general eligibility criteria and whether pursuing a claim makes sense for you.
Step Two: Retainer Agreement and Legal Fees
Hair relaxer lawsuits are handled on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront legal fees. Your attorney's compensation comes from a percentage of any settlement or judgment you recover, and if no recovery is obtained, no attorney fee is owed. Before signing a retainer agreement, your attorney should clearly explain the fee percentage, how litigation expenses such as filing fees and expert costs are handled, and your rights and obligations as a client.
Step Three: Gathering Documentation
Once you have engaged an attorney, the early work involves gathering documentation to support your claim. Your attorney will assist with requesting medical records from treating physicians and cancer treatment centers documenting your diagnosis and treatment. You will also work with your attorney to reconstruct your product use history as specifically as possible. While formal purchase records are rarely available, photographs, recollections supported by family members, or communications with hair stylists can all contribute to establishing the connection between your exposure and your injury.
Step Four: Filing and Joining the MDL
Your attorney will prepare and file an individual complaint in federal court. The case will then be transferred to the Northern District of Illinois to be consolidated with the hair relaxer MDL. Your case maintains its individual identity within the MDL. After transfer, you will need to complete a Plaintiff Fact Sheet, the standardized form collecting details about your product use and medical history. Accuracy and completeness are critical, as the court has dismissed cases where these forms were deficient and not corrected on time.
Step Five: Discovery
Discovery involves the exchange of information and documents between plaintiffs and defendants. Common discovery in the MDL, including requests for internal company documents and development of expert evidence, is handled by the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee and benefits all individual cases. At the individual level, discovery may include answering written questions, providing medical and employment records, and potentially participating in a deposition, an out-of-court examination under oath conducted by defense attorneys. Your attorney will prepare you thoroughly for any deposition and will be present throughout.
Step Six: Settlement or Trial
The large majority of mass tort cases resolve through settlement. No global settlement has been announced in the hair relaxer litigation as of mid-2026, but a mediator has been appointed and settlement discussions are underway. When and if a settlement program is established, your attorney will explain the terms and provide their assessment of whether the offer fairly represents the value of your specific case. The decision to accept is always yours. For cases that do not settle, trial is the path to resolution, with a jury determining liability and damages based on the evidence presented.
Realistic Expectations on Timeline
Mass tort litigation moves slowly. The hair relaxer MDL was established in 2023, bellwether trials are expected in 2027, and a global resolution may come sometime before or after those trials. This timeline is frustrating for individuals dealing with serious health conditions and financial hardship. It is an inherent feature of complex litigation, not a reflection of how seriously your case is being handled. Individuals who engage qualified counsel, stay in contact with their attorney, and remain responsive to documentation requests are best positioned to receive fair consideration when resolution does occur.
Ready to Discuss Your Case?
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. Call 855-758-7949 or visit shatterfirm.com/contact. No fees unless we win.