More than fifty women have filed suit against L’Oréal USA, claiming that the company’s hair care products created a higher risk of uterine cancer.

Court records show at least 54 cases have been filed in federal courts across the country over the products, which claim to permanently straighten textured hair. These suits follow the release of a study conducted by The National Institutes of Health. This study found that women who used products that contain high paraben levels several times a year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer. One plaintiff has asked for Multidistrict Litigation consolidation, a streamlined process available in such claims.

The companies oppose consolidation. L’Oréal called the lawsuits “amorphous complaints” that blame a collection of different ailments on “undisclosed chemicals in undisclosed products.” The company also denied liability. In a statement posted online after the first lawsuits were filed, L’Oréal said it is “confident in the safety of our products and believe the recent lawsuits filed against us have no legal merit.”

Parabens in Personal Care Products

Methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, and other parabens are very common preservatives, not only in cosmetics but also in other personal care products. At low levels, parabens stop mold and bacteria growth, protecting consumers and products alike. At higher levels, these powerful particles have unwanted side effects.

However, as exposure level rises, the danger increases. These dangers include:

· Allergic Reactions: For the most part, parabens are non-sensitizing and non-irritating. Therefore, people with pre-existing conditions, such as eczema and contact dermatitis, are completely blindsided when they have severe allergic reactions to parabens. Their doctors are usually blindsided as well, making these allergies difficult to diagnose.

· Breast Cancer: In a 2004 study, researchers found parabens in breast cancer tissue. The American Cancer Society called the paraben-breast cancer link a “minuscule” risk. That assessment is of little comfort for victims who use paraben-laced cosmetic products and develop breast cancer. · Uterine Cancer: Chemically, parabens resemble estrogen. Parabens in cosmetics absorb through the skin and can disrupt uterine functions, as well as many other bodily systems in women.

As the hazards of parabens become more well-known, many products advertise as “paraben-free.” Instead of using parabens, these companies typically use phenoxyethanol, a dangerous chemical that has already prompted multiple FDA warnings.

Defective Products

When companies use harmful substances in their products, an experienced attorney can obtain compensation for victims. The underlying issue could be a design or manufacturing defect.

Generally, companies are strictly liable for the injuries their defective products cause. A New York product liability attorney typically uses expert witness testimony to establish cause. The rules on what witnesses qualify as “experts” vary in different states.

Multidistrict Litigation

These paraben poisoning lawsuits are probably just the beginning. As the number of legal actions grows, federal courts become overwhelmed and unable to handle these claims on an individual basis.

At the same time, paraben poisoning claims usually aren’t similar enough to qualify for class action consolidation.

Multidistrict litigation is often an effective compromise in this area. Federal courts consolidate similar cases for pretrial purposes. So, a single federal judge handles hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of legal actions.

Defendants routinely fight MDL consolidation petitions. They dislike the streamlined process that encourages pretrial settlement.

This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering.

Injury victims desperately need someone to stand up for them in court. For a free consultation with an experienced pharmaceutical attorney in New York, contact Napoli Shkolnik . We handle mass tort cases on a nationwide basis.