Hair Relaxer Cancer Litigation Advances Against L’Oréal, Others

Women who link uterine cancer to use of hair relaxer products can pursue nearly all of their claims against L’Oréal USA Inc. and other companies, the judge presiding over multidistrict proceedings said.

The products, marketed mainly to Black women, contain chemicals such as phthalates, which are associated with an increased risk of cancer, the plaintiffs say.

More than 8,200 suits are pending in a combined proceeding before Judge Mary M. Rowland of the US District Court for the Northern District of Chicago, who denied most of the defendants’ motion for dismissal Monday.

The plaintiffs allege that L’Oréal and others acted ...