Table of Contents
Many Californians visit beauty salons and day spas every month for hair care, nail treatments, and facials. Unfortunately, negligence on the part of beauty salons and their employees can lead to unpleasant injuries that not only hurt but can also leave permanent scars and potentially lead to harmful health conditions.
Whether you need a new set of nails, a fancy updo, a regular trim, or your first set of lashes, thereโs no denying that beauty salons offer both men and women a chance to relax and enjoy being pampered. Although salon accidents are rare, itโs important to remember that everyday items can become safety risks if not used correctly.
If youโre injured due to negligence in a salon, the stateโs premises and product liability laws might protect you. You might be able to seek financial compensation for any medical expenses or other costs related to your injury with the help of the beauty salon injury lawyers at Arash Law.
Can A Beauty Salon Be Held Responsible For Its Actions?
Beauty salons must prioritize the safety of their clients and guests. This means taking reasonable precautions to prevent harm. If a salon fails to do so and negligence results in injury, the establishment may be held liable and may be required to compensate for the damages.
While a bad haircut or uneven spray tan can be frustrating, they donโt usually warrant legal action like a personal injury lawsuit. In many cases, simply talking to the salon owner can resolve the issue and result in a full refund or credit towards future services.
If a salon ownerโs or staff memberโs negligence causes you a verifiable injury, you can seek compensation through the salonโs insurance. Injuries caused by slips and falls (premises liability) or specific services are covered by this policy. If you get injured because of the salonโs negligence, you must demonstrate the establishmentโs responsibility for your injury.
Common Reasons Behind Beauty Salon Accidents
While every accident is different, some common situations that lead to injuries in beauty salons include:
- Wet, Slippery Floors โ Slips and falls happen all the time in beauty salons. Watch out for wet floors, electrical cords, and high chairs that could cause you to stumble.
- Improper Training โ Confirm that your technician is qualified for the specific service youโre receiving. Providing haircuts, coloring, manicures, facials, and massages requires proper training and certification.
- Skipped Patch Tests โ Before chemical treatments (hair color, relaxers, peels), request a patch test on a small area to check for allergic reactions.
- Misused Chemicals โ Expired, exposed, reused, or improperly mixed chemicals can be dangerous. Ask about product handling and expiration dates.
- Ignored Procedures โ Strict guidelines exist for every service, from dye application time to wax temperature. Check that your technician follows them for your safety.
- Unsanitary Tools โ Unclean instruments can transmit serious infections. Look for proper sanitation of tools, basins, and treatment areas.
- Faulty Equipment โ Malfunctioning hair dryers, curling irons, tanning beds, chairs, or wax warmers pose risks of electrical shock and burns. Be aware of potential equipment issues.
Common Injuries And Infections Obtained In Beauty Salons
- Chemical, laser, electrical, heat, and wax-related burn injuries.
- Cuts from scissors, shears, and nail clippers.
- Scalp injuries resulting in permanent hair loss.
- Staph or bacterial infections.
- Neck and back/spinal injuries due to trips and falls.
- Broken bones and bruises due to mishaps at the salon.
- Contact dermatitis from unsanitary tools.
A trip to the beauty salon ought to be fun and reassuring, not stressful and debilitating. Taking particular precautions to prevent beauty salon injuries can go a long way toward achieving your satisfaction and individual safety.
Things To Consider Before Scheduling Your Next Visit To The Hair Salon
Look For A Reliable And Reputable Business
There are many reviews on Google and Yelp to help you find out whether the local beauty salon has a good track record. Do yourself a favor and read up on other peopleโs experiences โ if the salon youโre interested in boasts a 4.9/5 ranking, this suggests the salon has satisfied customers. If it holds a rating of 2.3/5 or lower, you may want to look elsewhere.
Donโt Distract Your Stylist When They Seem To Be Focusing
It requires practice to strike the right balance between chatting with your hairstylist or nail artist and giving them space to work. Otherwise, your visit to the hair salon, which can sometimes last for hours, would be rather dull. Nevertheless, there are times when the individual who is providing services needs to concentrate. Let them focus on their work, especially when they are handling wax, chemicals, or sharp objects near your face.
Do Not Move
Sometimes, a trip to the hair salon can develop into something of a treatment session. Youโll laugh, cry, and make brand-new memories with your stylist or manicurist. However, do yourself a favor and try to refrain from being too animated when rehashing the weekโs events. Sharp turns of the head, shoulders, and hands can lead to honest mistakes โ mistakes that sometimes can be dangerous.
In many cases, you may also have a claim against others outside of the salon. For instance, if an injury is caused by malfunctioning electrical appliances, like a hairdryer or curling iron, you might have a claim for product liability against the manufacturer. The same would be true if you suffer burns or injuries due to chemical exposure from things like hair dye. In those cases, you would need to show that the product was being used for its intended purpose but resulted in injury.
No one is 100% perfect, and accidents do, in some cases, happen, especially in beauty salons. Still, that doesnโt offer you a reason to overlook the warning signs during your next visit. By taking steps to keep yourself safe, you can increase your chances of avoiding a beauty salon-related injury.
What To Do After A Beauty Salon Accident
Collect evidence at the scene and focus on gathering proof of the salonโs fault. Consider taking the following steps:
Speak Up
If you were hurt (nicked, cut, burned, etc.) by a technician, inform the salon owner or manager promptly. Donโt hesitate to voice concerns. Some business owners appreciate feedback, even on bad experiences.
Seek Medical Attention
Never delay treatment. For severe bleeding, allergic reactions, breathing problems, or rapidly worsening symptoms, call emergency services. If you leave the salon and notice signs of infection later, see a doctor right away, mentioning the details of the injury.
Identify Witnesses
Independent witness testimony can help support your claim. They lack personal or financial ties to the situation, which may make their statements valuable to insurance adjusters. If someone witnesses the technician reusing instruments or hears them admit to a mistake, note their names and contact information. Encourage written statements signed and dated.
Collect Evidence
You can use your phone to photograph injuries and even record technician comments.
Take Detailed Notes
Even with recordings, write down everything you remember: the incident, salon worker statements, and critical details like their names, work experience, and training. Technician admissions, such as apologies or justifications of mistakes, can be used as evidence.
Document Expenses
Keep copies of medical records, bills, out-of-pocket receipts, and, if applicable, a letter from your employer verifying lost wages due to the injury.
By following these steps, you may be able to build a strong foundation for your salon injury claim.
How To Establish Liability In Beauty Salon Accidents
Pursuing compensation for injuries from a beauty salonโs insurance can be challenging. The burden of proof lies with you, meaning you must demonstrate the salonโs direct responsibility for your harm.
Building a case requires solid evidence. This includes:
- Foreseeable Harm โ Evidence that the salon owner could have anticipated the potential for harm.
- Negligence โ Proof that the provider made a mistake or failed to follow standard practice for nail technicians or estheticians.
- Direct Causation โ Establishing that the negligence directly led to your injuries.
- Verifiable Losses โ Document your injuries and any related losses to justify compensation.
Why Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer
Suffering a serious injury due to negligence at a beauty salon can be overwhelming. Insurance companies often conduct thorough investigations to validate claims. If a case lacks sufficient evidence or proper documentation, insurers may dispute or deny the claim.
Get a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Many injury law firms offer this service without obligation. Itโs your chance to learn about your rights and explore your options for pursuing damages. Remember, you may be able to seek compensation for your pain, suffering, and medical expenses. Donโt hesitate to seek legal help.
Have You Suffered A Severe Injury Or Infection From A Careless Beauty Salon In California? Call (888) 488-1391
Depending on the circumstances surrounding your beauty salon accident, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and suffering. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Arash Law are ready to evaluate your case and help you determine your possible legal options.
We understand that negotiating with big salon and spa businesses can be challenging. Thatโs why we work diligently to represent injury victims who are seeking compensation after such accidents.
