John Paul Mitchell Hair Dye Caused Bladder Cancer for Two Hair Dressers, Lawsuits Allege

Both plaintiffs worked for decades as cosmetologists in California, where they were exposed to toxic chemicals contained in the manufacturer’s hair dye products.

Two career cosmetologists have each filed new lawsuits late last week, raising nearly identical allegations that they developed bladder cancer after years of exposure to Paul Mitchell Color XG hair dye products, which are widely used in professional salons throughout the U.S.

The complaints were brought by Christy Esparza (PDF) and Carl Kimbley (PDF) in Los Angeles Superior Court in California on August 1, both naming John Paul Mitchell Systems as the defendant.

Professional hair dye and hair coloring products have been marketed by John Paul Mitchell and other cosmetic companies for decades as safe for salon workers and consumers. However, recent research has found that routine exposure to chemicals used in the dyes can significantly increase one’s risk of developing bladder cancer, even when protective equipment like gloves and masks are used, as many of the chemicals are absorbed through the skin or inhaled.

Cosmetologists like Esparza and Kimbley are often exposed to hair dyes multiple times per day over the course of their careers, which creates a significant occupational exposure risk that many salon workers now say they were never warned about, and has led to the development of bladder cancer.

Paul Mitchell is just one of several cosmetics companies, like L’Oreal and Redken, who now face more than a dozen hair bladder cancer lawsuits, each raising similar allegations that the companies knew or should have known about the risks of hair dye chemicals, but chose not to warn cosmetologists about steps that could have been taken to limit exposure, due to a desire to place profits over user safety.

According to Esparza’s complaint, she worked as a cosmetologist in California from 1974 until 2016. As a result of her more than 40 years of hair dye use, particularly to Paul Mitchell Color XG, Esparza indicates she has been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Kimbley, who has worked as a cosmetologist since 1981, also claims his bladder cancer was caused by years of using Paul Mitchell Color XG hair dye.

Both lawsuits cite decades of research linking hair dye chemicals to bladder cancer, which they allege Paul Mitchell should have known about when marketing its Color XG product.

“Most bladder cancer tumors form after an individual is exposed to carcinogens that enter the body through inhalation, dermal contact, or ingestion. The two most frequent routes of exposure are through cigarette smoke and occupation. It is estimated that 5 percent of all bladder cancer diagnoses result from occupational exposure.”

–Carl Kimbley v. John Paul Mitchell Systems et al

The lawsuits present identical claims of strict liability, failure to warn, design defect, negligent failure to warn, deceit by concealment and violations of the California Unfair Competition Law.

Hair Dye Bladder Cancer Lawsuits

Recent court documents indicate there are more than a dozen similar claims filed in California court, which have all been consolidated before Judge Samantha Jessner for coordinated pretrial proceedings. As more cosmetologists and salon workers learn of the links between hair dye and bladder cancer, that number is expected to continue to grow.

To help gauge how juries may respond to certain evidence and testimony that may be repeated throughout the litigation, it is expected that Judge Jessner may prepare a number of claims to serve as bellwether test cases, with one of the earliest claims, filed by Hector Corvera, currently being prepped for trial.

While the outcome of any early bellwether trials would not be binding on other current or future cases, it could help the parties reach a hair dye bladder cancer settlement agreement, avoiding the need for every claim to go through a long and expensive trial process.

Hair dye bladder cancer lawyers continue to investigate cases for individuals diagnosed with bladder cancer following long-term use of permanent or semi-permanent hair dye products. Individuals who believe their cancer may be linked to chemical exposure from hair dye are encouraged to request a free consultation to see if they may qualify for a bladder cancer lawsuit settlement.