How To Claim Compensation For Hairdressing Injuries
By Olivia Dean. Last updated 9th March 2021. Welcome to our hairdresser compensation claims guide. Whether it’s to the barbers or the salon, a trip to the hairdressers is a traditional staple in many people’s routine. For some, healthy, well-maintained hair is important for their self-esteem and overall mental health. When visiting a hairdresser, one of the last things you might expect is to become injured or harmed. Unfortunately, there are some scenarios in which the negligence of a hairdresser could cause a laceration, a burned scalp, hair damage or hair loss.
If a hairdresser’s negligence has injured you, you might be searching for a solicitor to represent you in a claim. Here at Legal Helpline, we work with a panel of solicitors that are well-versed in personal injury law and could provide you with legal support and guidance. Within this guide, we’ll discuss how our panel of solicitors could assist those that have been affected by third party negligence. If at any time you have additional questions, contact a member of our team on 0161 696 9685. They’ll give you free, no-strings-attached legal advice, and if you wished to proceed with a claim, they could put you in touch with a solicitor.
Jump To A Section
- A Guide To Claims If Injured By A Hairdresser
- What Are Hairdressing Injuries?
- Causes Of Being Injured By A Hairdresser
- Claims For Allergic Reactions To Hair Dye And Other Products
- Damaged Hair And Hair Loss Injuries
- Cut, Lacerated And Damaged Scalp Injuries
- Burns Caused By Machinery Or Chemicals
- Illness Caused By Contaminated Utensils
- Trips And Slips At A Hairdresser
- Hairdresser Accident At Work Claims
- Hair Salon Health And Safety Regulations
- Hair Salons Duty Of Care To Clients And Staff
- Am I Eligible To Claim Compensation?
- Types Of Damages Victims Of Hairdressing Accidents Could Claim
- Injured By A Hairdresser Compensation Calculator
- No Win, No Fee Claims If Injured By A Hairdresser
- How Could Legal Helpline Help Me?
- Start Your Claim For Hairdressing Injuries Compensation
- Resources And References
A Guide To Claims If Injured By A Hairdresser
Unfortunately, incidents caused by a hairdresser’s negligence have the ability to create serious ramifications to the customer’s health and well-being. From bleach burns and lacerations to allergic reactions, the role of a hairdresser should be approached with great caution. Salons and barbershops could prevent accidents from occurring if they ensure compliance with the regulations governing them.
This guide will answer key questions such as:
- What is a personal injury claim?
- What is a hairdressing accident?
- How are accidents at a salon or barber caused?
- Do hairdressers have an obligation to uphold health and safety standards?
- What is a No Win, No Fee agreement?
- How could Legal Helpline support me when pursuing a claim?
What Are Hairdressing Injuries?
From hair loss to bleach burns, a hairdresser’s negligence could inflict a variety of harm onto a customer. To prevent incidents of this nature from occurring, salon-owners have a direct obligation to uphold a high code of ethics. In doing so, this code of ethics ought to prevent incidents such as burns, lacerations and damaged hair from occurring.
However, it is worth highlighting that not every incident that happens in a hairdressing salon could be negligent. For example, a small cut that was caused by hair cutting scissors is an unfortunate experience. Still, the wound will typically heal within a few days and cause no lasting implications. More serious incidents, ones that constitute a breach of duty, would involve harm in the form of hair loss, infection, scarring, or a burnt scalp.
For information on hairdresser compensation claims and how to make them, please continue reading our guide.,
Causes Of Being Injured By A Hairdresser
The thought of being injured when by a hairdresser might seem strange. Still, unfortunately, there are some scenarios where a hairdresser could neglect their duty of care and inflict a degree of injury or harm.
To prevent accidents from occurring, the owner of the salon should ensure suitable training for all of their employees has been provided. Having provided training and adequate equipment will minimise the risk of injury or harm towards customers. But in the event an employer fails to uphold this obligation to health and safety, it could cause a plethora of injuries. Common types of accidents a negligent hairdresser could cause might include:
- Burns, cuts and lacerations
- Slip, trip and falls
- Hair Damage or Loss
- Allergic reactions
- Infection (from contaminated or unsanitary instruments)
Claims For Allergic Reactions To Hair Dye And Other Products
When visiting a hairdresser, it is possible to have an allergic reaction because of hair dye and bleach related products. The NHS states that some people could be prone to contact dermatitis when using products on the skin. Performing a patch test could help prevent an allergic reaction by highlighting any areas of concern, such as itchiness, redness, tingling, or burning.
If you book an appointment for a hairdresser to dye or bleach your hair, you should automatically be offered a patch test. This is a necessary step in the hair dying process which should be carried out 24 to 48 hours prior to the appointment. Placing a small amount of product on the body will ensure you aren’t allergic to the products that will be used. This process helps prevent a more significant allergic reaction from occurring. But in the event a hairdresser skips this step, it could potentially cause a serious allergic reaction.
Damaged Hair And Hair Loss Injuries
When visiting a hairdresser, you rightfully expect a high-quality service. It would be fair to state that damaged hair, or in severe cases, the loss of hair isn’t an expected outcome. There could be situations where a negligent hairdresser could cause you to experience hair loss or damage to your hair. For example, damaged hair could be caused by a lack of training. If a member of staff isn’t adequately aware of the chemicals and products they are using, it could result in serious damage to the condition of hair.
Whatever the reason, if you’ve been injured by a hairdresser’s negligence, you could be able to make a hairdresser compensation claim.
Cut, Lacerated And Damaged Scalp Injuries
A severe cut or laceration could be a harrowing experience. Not only could a laceration cause pain and suffering, but has the ability to leave long-lasting and imposing scars. This could not only affect the physical health of the customer through bruising, swelling, and pain, but it could cause psychological trauma. So if you have endured a severe laceration due to the negligence of a hairdresser, you could potentially have grounds to make a claim for compensation.
Burns Caused By Machinery Or Chemicals
A burn that is caused by equipment or chemicals could have a lasting and unfortunate outcome. Not only could an accident of this nature cause discomfort, but it could affect the integrity of your hair and result in hair loss. For example, after having a haircut, you might pay for a blowout or professional styling.
During the styling process, a faulty piece of equipment like a curling wand could cause your hair to become trapped in the mechanism, which in return could cause serious burns or damage to the hair. If that is the case and you become injured, you could have grounds to make a claim against the negligent party.
Illness Caused By Contaminated Utensils
When visiting a hairdressing salon, you could be exposed to bacteria through contamination. More specially, you could be exposed to contamination if the utensils that are being used haven’t been appropriately cleaned.
To prevent bacteria from spreading, the use of moist products or the use of chemicals can eradicate any bacterial growth. For example, after cutting a client’s hair, a hairdresser should thoroughly clean the appliances that have been used with the likes of anti-bacterial spray or wipes. This ensures the next customer isn’t greeted with any bacteria from the previous client. This also applies to any item that has been dropped on the floor.
If you’ve been injured by a hairdresser’s negligence, you could be able to make a hairdresser compensation claim.
Trips And Slips At A Hairdresser
A slip and trip-related injury could be caused if an employer neglects their duty of care and fails to provide appropriate training. Throughout the training process, employees should be aware of the correct techniques when handling spillages and slipping hazards.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there are three common factors that cause a slip and trip accident in the workplace. This includes walkways, housekeeping, and design and maintenance. To prevent incidents of this nature from occurring, salons could perform routine inspections, regular housekeeping and risk assessments. But if this process is neglected or improperly completed, it could cause either an employee or a customer to slip, fall, and become injured.
Hairdresser Accident At Work Claims
As an employee, it would be fair to state that a workplace accident is never an expected turn of events. However, in the event you have been injured at your place of work, Citizen’s Advice has provided some steps that could be of use:
- Seek medical attention.
- Take photographic evidence of whatever caused your accident.
- Swap contact details with anyone who witnessed the incident.
- Make detailed notes about your accident as soon as possible.
To learn about the health and safety regulations in place to prevent you from being injured by a hairdresser or the like, please read on.
Hair Salon Health And Safety Regulations
Hairdressers and salon operators are required to uphold the obligations that are outlined within the Hairdressers (Registration) Act 1964. Within the legislation, it describes the essential steps every salon owner and hairdresser must follow to ensure the safest working environment and customer experience. According to the Act, hairdressers should:
- Regularly test electrical devices.
- Dispose of products suitably.
- Train employees.
- Report the incident to your employer.
- Make sure the accident is reported in the accident book.
- Conduct patch tests when performing hair dye and/or bleaching treatments.
Hair Salons Duty Of Care To Clients And Staff
As a place of business and as an employer, hair salons have a duty of care to whoever visits the premises. They must uphold a high standard of ethics, which, in turn, should contribute to a safe and hazard-free environment. This duty of care is echoed by the HSE, who states that under the law, employers are responsible for the health and well-being of their employees and customers. A failure to comply with these requirements could result in an accident that affects the employees or the customers, causing them to become injured or ill. To learn how you could be eligible to make a hairdresser compensation claim, please read on.
Am I Eligible To Claim Compensation?
In the event you have been injured due to the negligence of another, you could have eligible grounds to claim compensation. However, it is more than understandable to be unsure of your legal position after an accident, which is why Legal Helpline is here to support you. If you have been injured and wish to pursue a hairdresser accident compensation claim, our panel of solicitors could potentially assist you.
When making a claim, it’s important that you do so promptly after the accident. With personal injury cases, you’re granted just 3 years from the date of the accident to issue a claim. A failure to do so could see you prevented from making a claim altogether.
Types Of Damages Victims Of Hairdressing Accidents Could Claim
A personal injury claim could take into consideration all types of harm that may have been inflicted after an accident, such as psychological trauma, financial loss, or physical injury. These damages are split into two distinct categories: general damages and special damages. To clarify the differences between the two groups, we have provided some definitions below, which you could be compensated for if you’re injured by a hairdresser:
General Damages – General damages refers to the compensation awarded for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity experienced as a result of the injury. We shall provide some general damages valuations in the section below.
Special Damages – Special damages are designed to compensate you for any financial losses or expenses that may have been incurred as a result of the injury. Such expenses could include medication costs, travel costs to medical or legal appointments, loss of earnings if you’ve had to take time off work, or if the injuries are serious enough to prevent you from working in the future, you can claim for loss of future earnings too.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to special damages is that you cannot claim for things that cannot be evidenced. Therefore, keep all of your bills, receipts and invoices. They could evidence your hairdresser compensation claim.
Injured By A Hairdresser Compensation Calculator
If you have been injured by a hairdresser and wish to pursue a claim, you might be questioning how much compensation you could be entitled to. Some claimants could use online tools as a personal injury claims calculator to decipher how much compensation they could be awarded. Here at Legal Helpline, we have chosen to provide a table that displays a range of injuries and an estimate of the compensation that could be awarded. The figures within the table have been provided for example purposes only.
Injury The Severity of The Injury Awarded Compensation Injury Description
Scarring Minor £1,600 to £3,310 Scarring of this nature is often expected to be minor and have no significant impact.
Scarring Severe £8,550 to £28,240 Scarring of this level is often expected to cause psychological damage. Although cosmetic surgery could correct some of the damage, the affected individual may display sign of trauma.
PTSD Minor £3,710 to £7,680 PTSD cases of this nature are often expected to make a well-rounded recovery within a one to two year time frame.
PTSD Moderate £7,680 to £21,730 A moderate case of PTSD is expected to display signs of progression, but an underlying element of trauma and symptoms such as sleep deprivation could prevail.
PTSD Severe £56,180 to £94,470 Severe cases of PTSD are often expected to cause life-long implication’s. From disabilities, trauma, and the inability to work, a severe case of PTSD will infiltrate the affected individual’s daily routine and prevent them from operating at a level prior to the incident.
Damage to Hair Minor £3,710 to £6,890 A case of this nature is often in relation to bald patches caused by bleach, hair dying, or an electric product. This bracket will also include cases of alopecia.
Damage to Hair Serious £6,890 to £10,340 Damage to the hair in relation to waving, tinting, or dying, where the effects are dermatitis, eczema, or a burning sensation. In the higher bracket, the affected individual may require a skin graft and could be left with psychological trauma.
Lesser Injuries Moderate £3,710 to £11,820 Cases of this nature resemble cases of no residual disability. The affected individual is expected to make a full recovery within two years.
No Win, No Fee Claims If Injured By A Hairdresser
In the event you have been injured by a negligent hairdresser, you might contemplate making a claim for compensation. If that is the case, why not contact a member of our team? If you have valid grounds to make a claim, Legal Helpline could connect you to a solicitor from our panel that could handle your potential case under a No Win, No Fee agreement. A No Win, No Fee arrangement reduces the threat to your personal finances and eliminates any upfront costs, and if your case is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay any of the fees your solicitor has incurred in pursuing your case.
If your case is successful, your solicitor may ask for a small contribution toward their fees. This is known as a success fee and would be deducted from your compensation at the end of the claim. Don’t worry, the success fee is legally capped and will be agreed upon with your solicitor before the claim begins. If you have any questions about No Win, No Fee agreement, please contact a member of our team.
How Could Legal Helpline Help Me?
Our panel of solicitors has over thirty years of experience handling personal injury claims, including hairdresser compensation claims. They will strive to win you the maximum amount of compensation possible and will guide you through the complexities of the legal process, explaining legal jargon along the way. And if ever you have a query or would like an update on your case, they’ll be on hand to take your call.
Injured by a Hairdresser FAQs
Here are some common questions about hairdresser injuries.
Can you sue a hairdresser for damaging your hair?
If a hairdresser breached their duty of care to you causing you to be injured as a result, you could be able to make a personal injury claim against them.
Can you take a hairdresser to court?
To see if you have a valid claim against a hairdresser, please call our team for a free consultation today.
Start Your Claim For Hairdressing Injuries Compensation
If you wish to speak with an advisor about your potential claim, why not call us? Our phone lines are free to call, and our advisors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can offer free legal advice and discuss your potential claim in greater length. Alternatively, you could enquire through our online form, and a member of our team will contact you at a later date.
- Call us on 0161 696 9685.
- If you wish to enquire online, please click here.
hairdresser compensation claims
Resources And References
Slip and Trip Accidents – How to make a claim.
Accident at Work – Can I make a claim against a negligent employer?
Beauty Treatment Claims – Can you sue for neglectful beauty treatments?
Thanks for reading our hairdresser compensation claims guide.
Guide by MN
Edited by REG