Hair Relaxer MDL Passes 12,000 Cases: How It Grew

Last updated: October 2026

The hair relaxer MDL passed 10,000 pending cases in spring 2025, and it has kept growing. As of September 1, 2026, 12,129 cases were pending in the federal hair relaxer litigation, according to the court system’s own monthly report. More than 16,500 cases have been part of the MDL since it began. Below, you will also find a step-by-step look at how a claim moves through the hair relaxer MDL and which records can help.

This article tracks how the case count grew, what drove the surge, and what the numbers do and do not mean for someone thinking about a claim.

What the hair relaxer MDL is

Federal hair relaxer lawsuits are grouped in one court under a process called multidistrict litigation, or MDL. The case is In re: Hair Relaxer Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3060. U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland oversees it in the Northern District of Illinois.

The lawsuits claim that chemical hair straighteners raised users’ risk of uterine cancer, ovarian cancer and other conditions, and that makers did not warn customers. The companies deny that their products cause cancer.

When the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation created the MDL in February 2023, it listed 53 cases in 19 federal districts. That small start makes the later growth easy to see.

How the hair relaxer MDL passed 10,000 cases

The Judicial Panel publishes a report each month showing how many cases are pending in every MDL. Here is how the hair relaxer count has changed:

• February 2023: 53 cases when the MDL was formed
• January 2, 2024: 8,026 pending
• January 2, 2025: 9,819 pending
• April 1, 2025: 9,936 pending
• May 1, 2025: 10,168 pending, the first report above 10,000
• January 5, 2026: 10,948 pending
• August 3, 2026: 11,779 pending
• September 1, 2026: 12,129 pending

Most of the jump came in the first year. The MDL went from a few dozen cases to about 8,000 in less than 12 months. Since then it has kept adding cases at a slower but steady pace, including about 350 between the August and September 2026 reports.

Pending cases vs. total cases

Two numbers appear in each federal report, and they tell different stories.

• Pending cases are active cases still in the MDL. That was 12,129 as of September 1, 2026.
• Total cases count every case that has been part of the MDL, including ones that have since left. That was 16,561.

The gap between the two has grown over time. Cases can leave the pending count for several reasons, such as being dismissed, withdrawn or closed. The federal reports do not say why individual cases left, so it is not possible to tell from these numbers alone.

For someone reading headlines, the takeaway is simple. “More than 12,000 cases” describes the active docket. It is not a count of claims that have been paid or proven.

What drove the surge

Several things pushed the case count higher.

The 2022 NIH study

In October 2022, the National Institutes of Health reported results from the Sister Study, which followed 33,497 women for almost 11 years. Women who used straightening products more than four times in the prior year were more than twice as likely to develop uterine cancer. The researchers estimated that 1.64% of never-users would develop uterine cancer by age 70, compared with 4.05% of frequent users.

Earlier ovarian cancer research

A 2021 analysis from the same study group linked frequent use of straighteners to a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Together, these studies gave many women a possible explanation for a diagnosis they had already received.

Who used these products

The NIH noted that about 60% of study participants who reported using straighteners were Black women, who tend to use these products more often and start younger. That is one reason the litigation has drawn so much attention in Black communities.

The case surviving early challenges

In November 2023, the court allowed most of the core claims to move forward, including negligence, design defect and failure-to-warn claims. Cases that clear early legal hurdles often draw more filings.

What the growing count means for new claims

A large MDL does not change how any single case is judged. Each claim still depends on the person’s diagnosis, product use and filing deadline. But the size of the MDL can affect the process in a few ways:

• Bellwether trials. With thousands of cases, the court picks a small group for early trials. Court reporting says the first bellwether trial is set for September 7, 2027. Dates can change.
• Settlement pressure. Large case counts can raise the stakes for both sides. But no settlement has been announced, and none is promised.
• Paperwork. Big MDLs often use standard forms so each plaintiff can share medical and product-use details.

Filing deadlines vary by state and claim type. Many states start the clock when a person learned, or should have learned, of a possible link between a product and an illness. You can read more about the science in our overview of hair relaxer and uterine cancer studies.

How to follow the case count yourself

You do not have to rely on headlines. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation posts its pending-docket report early each month. Look for MDL 3060 in the list. You will see two numbers: pending actions and total actions.

A few tips for reading it:

• Compare month to month. A steady rise means new cases are still being filed or transferred.
• Watch both numbers. If total cases rise but pending cases fall, cases are leaving the docket faster than new ones arrive.
• Remember what is not counted. Hair relaxer cases filed in state courts do not appear in the federal report.
• Do not confuse counts with value. A higher case count says nothing about what any single case may be worth.

If a settlement program is ever announced, the case count could change quickly as cases are registered, resolved or dismissed. Any such program would come with its own rules and deadlines.

How the Hair Relaxer MDL Process Works, Step by Step

Case counts tell you how big the litigation is. They do not tell you what happens to a single case once it joins. Here is how a claim usually moves through the hair relaxer MDL, in plain terms.

1. Filing and transfer

A lawsuit is filed in federal court, or filed in another district and then transferred to Chicago. Once it arrives, it joins the hair relaxer MDL and is handled by Judge Rowland for pretrial steps.

2. Short-form complaints

Large MDLs often use a master complaint that lays out the shared claims. Each person then files a shorter complaint that adds their own details, such as the products they used, when they used them and their diagnosis.

3. Sharing personal facts

Plaintiffs in big MDLs usually fill out a standard questionnaire, often called a plaintiff fact sheet. It asks about product use, medical history and records. Answers are given under oath, so accuracy matters more than speed.

4. Discovery

Both sides gather evidence. The companies hand over documents about product testing and warnings. Plaintiffs share medical records. Witnesses may give sworn testimony.

5. Science rulings

Before trials, the court decides whether each side’s scientific witnesses can testify. These rulings can shape the whole hair relaxer MDL, because a case that cannot show a link between the product and the illness is hard to win.

6. Bellwether trials

A small group of cases goes to trial first. The results help both sides see how juries react to the evidence. As noted earlier, the first trial is currently set for 2027, and that date can move.

7. Settlement or remand

After the pretrial work is done, cases may settle, or they may be sent back to the courts where they were first filed for trial. No settlement has been announced, and no one can say which path any case will take.

How long the stages can take

There is no set clock. Large MDLs often spend years in discovery and science rulings before the first trial. Delays are common, and a quiet stretch does not mean a case has stalled. Ask your law firm how often it plans to send updates, and how you will hear about court rulings that affect your claim.

Records That Can Help a Hair Relaxer MDL Claim

Every claim in the hair relaxer MDL rests on two things: proof that you used chemical straighteners, and proof of a diagnosis. You do not need everything before a firm reviews your story, but gathering what you can now saves time later.

Proof of product use

• Names of the relaxer products you used, even if you only remember the color of the box or the store where you bought it
• About when you started, how often you relaxed your hair and when you stopped
• Whether you used home kits, salon treatments or both
• Salon names and addresses, plus any stylist who can confirm your visits
• Old photos that show relaxed hair across the years
• Store loyalty records, online order history or receipts

Memory gaps are normal, especially for use that began in childhood. Write down what you know and mark what you are unsure about. Honest estimates are better than guesses presented as facts.

Proof of diagnosis and treatment

• Pathology reports that name the type of cancer
• Surgery records, such as a hysterectomy or removal of ovaries
• Imaging, chemotherapy and radiation records
• Bills and insurance statements showing your costs
• Notes on time missed from work

Family and health history

The companies may point to other risk factors, so be ready to discuss your health history openly with a law firm. This can include family history of cancer, hormone use and other conditions. Sharing it early helps a firm judge your claim fairly.

Keep it organized

A simple folder, paper or digital, with three sections works well: product use, medical records and costs. Add a one-page timeline with the years you used relaxers, the date of your diagnosis and each major treatment. A clear timeline helps a firm review your hair relaxer MDL claim faster, and it helps you answer questions consistently.

If a loved one passed away after a diagnosis, family members can gather the same kinds of records. Rules on who may bring a claim for someone who has died differ by state.

Talking With Your Doctor While Following the Hair Relaxer MDL

Following the hair relaxer MDL can make some women worry about their own health. Legal news is not medical advice, so the first call should be to your doctor if something feels wrong.

The National Cancer Institute’s training materials note that abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most common sign of endometrial cancer, the most common form of uterine cancer. That includes bleeding after menopause and changes in your normal cycle. Do not wait for a lawsuit update to get checked.

Questions you may want to ask

• Do my symptoms need testing, such as an ultrasound or a biopsy?
• Can you note in my chart that I used chemical hair straighteners, and for how long?
• What type of cancer do I have, and what does my pathology report say?
• Can I get copies of my records for my own files?

Asking for copies is your right under federal privacy rules in most cases. Keeping them in one folder helps both your care and any claim in the hair relaxer MDL.

Telling family members

Many women used relaxers alongside mothers, sisters and daughters. If you have been diagnosed, consider sharing what you learned with relatives who used the same products. They can decide for themselves whether to talk to a doctor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Hair Relaxer MDL Case

People who join large lawsuits often run into the same problems. Knowing them ahead of time can help protect a claim in the hair relaxer MDL.

• Waiting too long. Filing deadlines vary by state and claim type. A growing case count does not pause your own deadline.
• Signing with more than one firm. This can cause confusion and delays. If you want a second opinion, say so openly.
• Throwing away products or records. Old boxes, receipts and salon cards can help show use. Keep them.
• Posting about your case online. Comments on social media can be read by the other side. Keep details private.
• Missing paperwork deadlines. Courts in large MDLs can dismiss cases when required forms are late or incomplete.
• Trusting payout promises. No settlement exists in the hair relaxer MDL as of October 2026, so any website quoting a set amount is guessing.

Questions to ask a law firm

• Will my case be filed in federal court, state court or both?
• What records do you need from me, and can you request them for me?
• How are fees and case costs handled, and can I see that in writing?
• Who is my main contact, and how often will I hear from you?
• What happens to my case if a settlement program is announced?

Clear answers to these questions can help you feel more in control during a long process.

Stay in touch with your law firm

Update your firm if you move, change phone numbers, receive a new diagnosis or start new treatment. A short message is enough. Firms handling hair relaxer MDL claims often need fresh records as a case moves forward.

A Short Glossary of Hair Relaxer MDL Terms

Legal news uses a lot of jargon. Here are terms you will see in updates about the hair relaxer MDL.

• MDL (multidistrict litigation): A federal process that groups similar cases before one judge for pretrial steps.
• JPML: The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, which creates MDLs and publishes monthly case counts.
• Transferee court: The court that handles the MDL. Here, it is the Northern District of Illinois.
• Master complaint: A shared document that lists the claims common to all plaintiffs.
• Short-form complaint: A shorter filing with each person’s own details.
• Plaintiff fact sheet: A sworn questionnaire about product use and medical history.
• Discovery: The stage when both sides exchange documents and testimony.
• Bellwether trial: An early test trial chosen to show how similar cases may play out.
• Remand: Sending a case back to its original court after pretrial work ends.
• Statute of limitations: The deadline to file a lawsuit. It varies by state and claim type.

Knowing these terms makes it easier to read court reports and to ask your law firm clear questions about where your hair relaxer MDL claim stands.

Frequently asked questions

How Direct2Attorney can help

Direct2Attorney connects people with participating law firms that review hair relaxer claims. If you used chemical relaxers and were later diagnosed with uterine or ovarian cancer, a firm may review whether you qualify. Visit our hair relaxer lawsuit page to share your story.

The hair relaxer MDL keeps growing month by month. Finding out where you stand now can help you act before a deadline passes.

Direct2Attorney is a legal marketing and referral service, not a law firm. This article is general information, not legal advice. Submitting information does not create an attorney-client relationship.