How to sue a hairdresser

Hairdressing is big business with the hairdressing and beauty industry generating nearly £7bn in turnover every year1. With this in mind, it’s unsurprising that we all use a hairdresser during our lives.

Hairdressing as an industry is unregulated and standards vary depending on the salon you visit. Accidents are far more common an occurrence than you think and in some instances, this accident can cause painful injuries and long-lasting damage to an individual. If you have suffered an injury or damaged hair due to an accident, you may be able to sue a hairdresser.

If you’ve suffered an injury…

Suing hair dressers or suing a salon is possible if you have suffered an injury. To find out if you can make a claim, you should get in touch with us. One of our lawyers will be able to take the details and then advise you as to whether or not you can make a claim. It’s easy to get in touch and within a few minutes you’ll know whether you can sue a hair dresser or salon. You can get in touch by free phoning 0800 141 3682 (or 0333 202 6560 from a mobile), emailing enquiries@hairdressingclaims.co.uk or completing our easy online contact form.

1www.nhf.info/about-the-nhf/hair-and-beauty-industry-statistics

How Hairdressing Claims can help

Whilst hairdressing claims fall under the same banner as all personal injury claims, it is a unique and specialised part of law. Therefore, to get the maximum amount of compensation possible, you need to use the right lawyers. All our lawyers are qualified, professional and well versed in claims against hairdressers and between them have years of experience in making successful hairdressing accident compensation claims.

Hidden Q

LOVE is located in a stunning old Victorian building with a spacious, air-conditioned dressing room which takes up the whole of the first floor of the boutique (she is a beauty!) We close the boutique for each and every bride during her appointment so you will have complete privacy during your appointment. For this reason we are by appointment only so to book your exclusive appointment please get in touch via email hello@lovebridalboutique.co.uk or via our enquiry form on our website and we can get you booked in with us.

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Through our years of experience, we have been able to make contact and develop relationships with barristers, doctors and trichologists (more on this below). By developing these relationships and contacts, we can get you the access you need to have the best possible chance of gaining compensation.

Our service is nationwide so it doesn’t matter if you’re in Scotland or Cornwall, we can help you make a claim.

Our solicitors understand exactly how upsetting it is to have your hair damaged or scalp burned. Many solicitors may underestimate the emotional impact that it has on you but we know that often it is this that hurts the most. We will make sure that you are treated with the compassion and sympathy you deserve.

We will manage the claim right from the start to the very end. We make sure that all our lawyers speak in plain English so you always know what’s happening. No fancy legal jargon here! We’ll keep you updated on where you are at and what the next steps are at all times. There’ll never be any need to chase us so you can focus on what matters most, your recovery.

All our claims are on a no win, no fee basis meaning there’s no risk to you. We get paid when we win your case.

You will have a named lawyer assigned to your case and they will guide you through the process. Getting started is simple. All you have to do is get in touch with us at Hairdressing Claims. You can do that by:-

• Calling for free on 0800 141 3682 from a landline
• Calling 0333 202 6560 from a mobile
• Emailing us at enquiries@hairdressingclaims.co.uk
• Completing our online claim form
• Tweeting us at HairClaims

Eligibility to make a claim

Whilst a rather unique part of law, to sue a hairdresser or to sue a hair salon has many similarities as other types of personal injury claims. The main similarity is that for a claim to be possible, there has to be negligence.

There also has to be actual damage. So, having a hair colour or cut go wrong in terms of style wouldn’t qualify for a hairdressing claim. For a claim to be possible, injuries such as burns, blisters, and cuts or hair damage such as brittle hair or hair falling out would have to be present.

A hairdresser has a duty of care to you and your safety when you are under their care. Chemicals and equipment can be dangerous if used incorrectly. If you suffer injury as a result of negligence, you may have grounds to make a claim. To get clarity on whether you can or cannot make a claim, get in touch with us. To do so, give us a call, send us an email or complete our quick online claim form. With a few details, one of our lawyers can advise whether a claim is possible and if so what the next steps are.

TRICHOLOGIST

Trichologists are used in our cases to provide independent opinions. They are highly specialised and knowledgeable in the field of hair and scalps and are able to provide insight into what the cause (or causes) of hair thinning, loss, breakage, damage and scalp issues may be.

By using a trichologist, we can identify if any steps were missed or if the hairdresser was negligent in their approach. If negligence was the case, and as a result your injury or hair damage could have been prevented, then we would have grounds for a claim.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DO HAIRDRESSERS HAVE?

As above, all hairdressers, stylists and salons have a duty of care to look after your personal safety. This essentially means following guidance when using both chemicals and hairdressing equipment.

In practice, this means that a hairdresser should carry out tests for hair quality, allergies and hair strength before continuing with any treatment. Equally, they should use their common sense when judging whether hair would be suitable or strong enough to take treatment.

If this hasn’t happened, and as a result you have suffered injury or hair damage, you can make a claim.

WHAT CAUSES INJURY?

Click on injury cause to open / close previous.
Hidden Q

LOVE is located in a stunning old Victorian building with a spacious, air-conditioned dressing room which takes up the whole of the first floor of the boutique (she is a beauty!) We close the boutique for each and every bride during her appointment so you will have complete privacy during your appointment. For this reason we are by appointment only so to book your exclusive appointment please get in touch via email hello@lovebridalboutique.co.uk or via our enquiry form on our website and we can get you booked in with us.

Overview

There are four main reasons why injuries occur. These are:-

1. Inadequate or incomplete preparation of products
2. Poor testing
3. Cuts from either razors or scissors
4. Burns from tongs or irons

There are also several common areas of claim for hairdressing accidents. These are:-

1. Injuries from perming and straightening hair
2. Over-processing
3. Extensions
4. Hair dye or bleach overlapping when applied
5. Lack of or inadequate testing

1. Injuries from perming or straightening hair

Perming and straightening hair are two of the most common treatments in a hair salon. Many people have perms or go to the salon to have their hair straightened. There are many different types of perm and straightening treatments available but they all have a similarity in that strong chemicals are used. As strong chemicals are used, it is important that tests are carried out prior to any treatment beginning.

If the hair stylist does not carry out testing prior to applying the chemicals, the chance of hair being damaged is significantly increased. Equally, injuries such as burns, damage to the scalp and also blistering are more likely to occur.

When it comes to perming hair, the hair type needs to be taken into account also as not all hair is suitable to be permed. As an example, anyone who has had a perm recently should not have another one in a short space of time. This is because hair doesn’t grow particularly quickly and having a perm quickly after the last one means that a lot of hair will have to be re-done. By doing this, the risk of damage is significantly increased.

A trained and professional hairdresser should cover this during the initial consultation to identify any potential issues. If they fail to do so and as a result you suffer hair damage, you may be able to sue the hairdresser.

2. Overprocessing hair

Over-processing occurs when either too many different products are applied to hair, the strength of the product (or products) is too strong for the hair or if the product is applied for too much time.

The result of this is typically brittle hair with a lack of shine and an inability to style hair. Over-processing can be prevented by strand testing for hair quality and visual checking of the hair prior to applying treatments. If the hairdresser hasn’t done this and you have suffered hair damage, then you may be eligible to make a claim.

3. Extensions

Extensions used to be exclusive to the rich and famous. However, now they are very much a high street staple and more and more people are having them. However, if they are incorrectly fitted, issues such as painful scalp and headaches can occur.

The main reasons why extensions cause these issues are through either too many bonds being used or if they are fitted too close together. Another reason why extensions can cause problems is if they are not correctly maintained going forward.

Hairdressers should not only fit the extensions correctly but also advise on the maintenance of them. If you feel that your extensions have been incorrectly fitted or that you have not been advised as to how to look after them and as a result you have damaged hair, you may be able to make a claim.

4. Hair dye or bleach overlapping when applied

This links into over processing of the hair as outlined above. If you go to the hairdresser to get your roots dyed or bleached so they match the rest of your hair, the hair stylist should ensure that only the new hair is treated. If they treat some of the existing hair which has already been treated, it could cause hair damage.

5. Lack of or inadequate testing

Strand and skin testing is important to ensure that the products used won’t cause an allergic reaction and that the hair is strong enough to withstand treatment.

Testing should always be performed prior to treatment and if you have suffered injury or hair damage as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.

The Claims Process

What steps should you take?

If you have suffered hair damage or a personal injury as a result of negligence, you are likely to be entitled to compensation. There are some steps you need to take prior to rectifying any hair treatments:-

• Record any appointments you have had
• Photograph the hair damage or injury
• Keep pictures of your hair prior to the damage
• Record the name of both the salon and the hair stylist
• Obtain the names of any products that were used
• Keep any damaged hair
• See your doctor
• Contact us so we can offer you advice

What is the claims process?

We will be able to fully explain in detail over the phone but as a basic guide the process is:-

• Get in touch with us
• We’ll write a letter to the hair salon outlining all the issues
• Both the salon and us will be required to follow the protocol of trying to settle the case outside of court
• We’ll use experts to gather any evidence if required
• If the protocol of trying to settle out of court fails, we will represent you in court

The process from start to finish can take up to 18 months but this depends on the case and whether it settles outside of court.

 

Click to open / close
Hidden Q

LOVE is located in a stunning old Victorian building with a spacious, air-conditioned dressing room which takes up the whole of the first floor of the boutique (she is a beauty!) We close the boutique for each and every bride during her appointment so you will have complete privacy during your appointment. For this reason we are by appointment only so to book your exclusive appointment please get in touch via email hello@lovebridalboutique.co.uk or via our enquiry form on our website and we can get you booked in with us.

Why are insurance companies important?

Simply put, insurance companies are important as typically they are the ones who will foot the bill on behalf of the salon. However, this doesn’t mean only salons who are insured can be sued. We have successfully made claims directly against salons before also.

What compensation can I expect?

This depends largely on the individual case and the damage or injury incurred. As a guide, somewhere between £3k and £9k is where most cases are settled, although more serious cases can achieve far more.

What's next?

If you have been injured or experienced hair damage as a result of a hairdressers negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. To find out where you stand for sure, get in touch with one of our qualified and professional lawyers. Do this by:-

• Phoning 0800 141 3682 free from a landline
• Phoning 0333 202 6560 free from a mobile
• Emailing us at enquiries@hairdressingclaims.co.uk
• Completing our simple online claim form
• Tweeting us at HairClaims

Our experienced lawyers will be ready and waiting to help.

Contact Hairdressing Claims

Call or email us, or simply complete the contact form below to start your claim…

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Professional Negligence Lawyers Association