Compensation For Accidents & Injuries At Hairdresser

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Hair Perm Accidents | Hair Extension Accidents | Hair Colouring Accidents

Accidents, Injuries, Cuts & Burns Sustained At The Hairdresser

A visit to the hairdresser for a cut or styling is normally a pleasant and relaxing experience for most people. Inevitably however the combination of sharp or hot implements and strong chemical solutions means that accidents are unavoidable. When such accidents occur the physical and psychological effects to the injured person can be traumatic and far-reaching. Unfortunately accidents in hair salons are on the rise, as methods and treatments become increasingly complicated. Hairdressing is also an unregulated profession in the UK, unlike in European countries where practitioners must hold professional qualifications and be registered and monitored. The UK does have a voluntary registration scheme, but less than 10% of hairdressers are members. This situation has lead to calls from hairdressers and The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) for the industry to be more tightly regulated to rid it of unqualified, 'cowboy' practitioners. Hairdressers must register with their local authority however and hold public liability insurance, meaning both clients and employees can claim compensation if they have been injured as a result of a salon's negligence.

Typical Causes Of Hairdressing Accidents

The most serious type of hairdressing accidents normally involve chemical solutions used in procedures such as colouring (dying), bleaching, perming and straightening. When these solutions are incorrectly mixed or applied in an improper manner, serious chemical burns to the skin and scalp may result. Hairdressers must conduct skin patch and hair strand tests where clients have not previously undergone such treatments. This is to ensure they do not suffer an allergic reaction to the chemicals contained in the solutions. Damage to the scalp caused by incorrect preparation or application of the solutions, or from an allergic reaction may include hair loss, scarring, and even permanent baldness in extreme cases. Blisters, swelling and itchiness are just some of the symptoms caused when chemicals make contact with the skin. Other accidents in hair salons which result from a hairdresser's lack of skill or a lapse in concentration include cuts to the ears or face caused by scissors, and burns from the application of hot curling tongs to the skin or scalp.

Injuries To Hairdressing Salon Workers

Employees in hair salons face a range of injury and illness risks. The regular handling of hazardous chemical substances is one such threat. Staff must be fully trained in the use and storage of such solutions, while protective equipment such as gloves and goggles should be used wherever necessary. Dermatitis is a common disease that affects hairdressers. Irritant contact dermatitis is a temporary condition caused for example by regular shampooing, with skin damage developing due to the loss of protective oils. Allergic contact dermatitis on the other hand is an irreversible condition caused by regular contact with a sensitising agent, such as a hair treatment solution. A specific pre-existing allergy must be present for the condition to develop. Symptoms are the same for both forms of dermatitis, with the skin initially feeling rough and raw, followed by itchiness, inflammation, blistering and cracking. Repetitive strain injuries are also common among hairdressers, particularly carpal tunnel syndrome caused by constant, small repetitive movements in the fingers, hands and wrists while using scissors. Other muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves may also become damaged over time where stools for example are not adjustable or otherwise poorly designed, placing strain on a worker's back and upper body. The other major category of injuries sustained in hair salons are those resulting from slips, trips and falls normally caused by wet floors, electrical cables and damp cut hair that is allowed to accumulate.

Hairdressing Accident Compensation Claims

Employers have a general duty of care to both their workers and clients to ensure that safety procedures are observed and that tools and equipment are suitable. All electrical appliances must be regularly checked and adequately maintained. With regard to the storage and use of chemical solutions, employers must abide by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH). They will need to ensure the premises has adequate ventilation and that workers are supplied with the necessary protective equipment for all procedures. Loose hair must be regularly swept up off the floor, and equipment such as scissors disinfected to prevent the risk of contagious diseases. Customers can expect haircuts and treatments to be administered in a reasonably competent manner, and employers will therefore need to ensure workers are adequately trained with regard to the services on offer.

Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in hairdressing accident and injury compensation claims on behalf of both clients and employees. We work on a no win no fee basis meaning if you win your case the hairdressing salon's insurance company will pay all of your legal fees, and if you lose you will not pay a penny.

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Tell Us About Your Injury:

Tell us about your accident or injury at the hairdresser and our specialist solicitor Katharine Smith will offer free advice on how to proceed.