In the UK, the hairdressing industry is quite huge, with more than 40,000 beauty and hair salons across the country, contributing about £7 billion to the economy annually. Most people will visit a hairdresser at one point in their lives, while for many, going to the hairdresser is a part of their routine.
You go to the hairdresser to look and feel better. You expect professional care and treatment from trained specialists. However, there are several risks involved when the salon is poorly managed. The lack of knowledge and training can lead to personal injury, hair damage and some form of emotional harm to a customer. If you want to know how to sue a hairdresser, you should know the valid reasons that will qualify, such as unusual hair fall, brittle hair, blisters, burns, and cuts.
Requirements for salon owners and staff
Salons and hairdressers are required to follow regulations regarding the storage, use, and disposal of hair treatment products containing chemicals. Likewise, the law requires them to ensure that electrical appliances they use for hairstyling are tested regularly for safety. They are also required to do a hair strand test to ensure that chemicals ingredients in hair styling products will not damage a person’s hair follicles.
Examples of hairdressing negligence
- Brittle and thinning hair/hair loss
- Blisters or burns to eh scalp or skin
- Adverse reactions to some products or chemicals
- Flaky or itchy skin irritations
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Delayed hair regrowth
What would make you eligible for compensation?
The primary consideration to make you eligible to claim hairdressing compensation is to prove that the damage or injury was not your fault. The legal term for this is a liability. For example, if you caused damage or injury, you started an altercation with a salon staff or a fellow customer, you cannot claim damages. Instead, you may be sued by the hair salon.
Suing the hairdresser and claiming compensation means that you have evidence to prove that the damage wasn’t your fault. You should have as much evidence as proof. You should have a record showing that you were given the correct advice regarding the hair treatment. Likewise, the stylist did not give you a hair patch test or asked if you have allergies to particular products or chemicals. Another proof is that they did not explain any side effects after using a product.
How bad should the damage be to claim compensation from the hairdresser?
When you have been hurt at the hairdresser’s salon, you should consider your options. You can claim compensation whether the injury is large or small. But experts often advise clients to think about whether it is worth it to pursue a claim or not. For a significant accident that requires you to seek medical help for a long time, you can follow the lawsuit. But if it is a minor injury, it might not be worth suing your hairdresser for damages. Think about how much you will spend on the court case versus the amount you will get.
Know your options when you want to sue your hairdresser for compensation. It is better to consult a legal professional who specialises in hairdressing claims to know if it will be worth it to press charges.