The creator of Wen hair care products, and the products manufacturer, Guthy-Renker LLC, have proposed a $26.25 million settlement to end class action claims filed by women across the country who allege that the product, which is promoted as containing no harsh chemicals, left them with severe hair loss and bald spots.
Plaintiffs claim that the hair care product left them with hair loss, breakage and rashes, arguing that the product contains caustic ingredients that cause follicle damage. Bolstering the plaintiffs’ position is the fact that the FDA has recently issued a safety alert for Wen products after receiving more than 127 adverse event reports from consumers who had problems with the product.
The proposed $26.25 million settlement would provide purchasers of Wen products with a $25 payment. Plaintiffs who suffered more severe side effects from the product could receive up to $20,000 to reimburse them for any treatments they underwent to repair damage caused by using the product. A preliminary settlement approval hearing is currently scheduled for September 19, 2016.
The case is: Amy Friedman v. Guthy-Renker LLC, Case No. 2:14-cv-MRP-AGR, in the U.S. District Court of Central California.
