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Overview and Key Insights

As of March 27, 2025, the multidistrict litigation (MDL) concerning chemical hair relaxer products, known as MDL No. 3060, is progressing with several key developments:Nigh Goldenberg+3Legal News Today+3Reuters+3

Case Volume and Recent Trends:

The MDL currently encompasses approximately 9,788 pending cases. Notably, February 2025 marked the first monthly decrease, with 75 cases dismissed during that period. Lawsuit Information Center

Judicial Decisions:

In February 2025, U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland denied motions from defendants—including John Paul Mitchell Systems, Wella, and Advanced Beauty—to dismiss the lawsuits. The court emphasized that the master and short-form complaints collectively form the operative complaint, requiring defendants to address allegations in both. Lawsuit Information Center+1Vogelzang Law+1

Bellwether Trials and Scheduling:

The parties are required to propose bellwether cases by April 30, 2025. These initial trials are pivotal in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of representative cases, potentially influencing the direction of the broader litigation.Fob James Law Firm

Settlement Discussions:

As of early March 2025, discussions are underway to select a mediator for potential settlement negotiations. While no settlements have been reached to date, the initiation of mediation reflects a step toward resolving the claims.Fob James Law Firm+1Motley Rice+1

Regulatory Actions:

In October 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a regulation to ban formaldehyde in hair relaxer products due to its known toxicity and links to certain cancers, such as leukemia. However, this proposed ban does not directly address the uterine or ovarian cancers central to many of the current lawsuits. Vogelzang Law+1Legal News Today+1

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