A new lawsuit has been filed against several major hair product manufacturers, alleging that their hair relaxer products have caused serious health issues, including cancer. On March 13, 2025, Gracie Scurry filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against Avlon Industries, Beauty Bell Enterprises LLC f/k/a House of Cheatham, Inc., House of Cheatham LLC, L’Oréal USA, Inc., L’Oréal USA Products, Inc., SoftSheen-Carson LLC, Strength of Nature, LLC, and Godrej SON Holdings, Inc.
The case stems from Scurry's use of various hair relaxer products manufactured by these companies over several decades. According to the complaint, Scurry began using these products around 1980 and continued until approximately 2022. She claims that the prolonged use of these chemical-laden products resulted in her being diagnosed with uterine cancer in October 2023. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of negligence and gross negligence for failing to ensure the safety of their products. "The defendants have long known or should have known about the harmful effects of their products," states the complaint.
Scurry further alleges that the companies engaged in negligent misrepresentation and fraud by not adequately warning consumers about potential health risks associated with their hair relaxers. The complaint includes claims under strict liability for design defects and failure to warn consumers about these risks. Additionally, it accuses the companies of breaching implied warranties and express warranties under state law and federal law through the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages for her injuries and punitive damages to deter similar conduct by these corporations in the future. She also demands a jury trial for all claims presented in this action. The lawsuit highlights how large corporations may prioritize profits over consumer safety by continuing to market potentially dangerous products without adequate warnings or testing.
Representing Gracie Scurry are attorneys M. Brandon Smith (Georgia Bar No. 141418), C. Andrew Childers (Georgia Bar No. 124398), and James E “Jed” Douglas (Georgia Bar No. 124908) from Childers, Schlueter & Smith, LLC based in Atlanta, Georgia. The case is presided over by Honorable Mary M. Rowland under Case ID: 1:25-cv-02624.