People go to the salon to have their hair styled, and the professional stylist owes the customer a duty of care. These days, there are so many different treatments being done to hair, with a range of equipment and styling products that can pose a threat when not properly handled. Serious damage or injury can happen to the scalp or hair. Hairdressers should follow proper safety procedures and be trained sufficiently to prevent any untoward incidents. But, what happens if hair is damaged due to negligence on the part of the hairstylist? There is such a thing as hair damage compensation, but customers have to know when they can claim for it.
Hairdressing Claim
Hair damage is a form of personal injury that typically happens at salons when the hair or scalp is injured or damaged. You may be eligible to claim for compensation as a result of a violent or criminal act or negligence or accident. You cannot just make a claim if you are unhappy with the colour of your hair after a dye treatment. This type of claim can be difficult, as hairdressers are not required to register in this industry. However, like other businesses, they have a duty to provide safe and healthy service within practical reason.
Types of Hair and Scalp Damage
When referring to hair damage claims, unexpected damage happens due to improper procedures, because when hair is exposed to treatments involving strong chemicals, the quality of the hair is expected to reduce. Types of damage may include loss of hair, brittle hair that easily breaks, scars, burns, scalp irritations, dermatitis in the scalp, bald patches, and a tingling sensation on the scalp. Apart from physical harm, hair damage can also cause trauma and stress. Some incidents have lasting effects that can affect a person’s self-esteem, thus resulting in psychological trauma.
Common Causes
Hair damage is usually a result of improper practices by the hairdresser. This may involve incorrect preparation or application of treatment products, faulty equipment, failure to ask about existing medical condition, failure to test for allergies, chemical burns, poor assessment of hair condition, and heated instruments, among others.
A customer whose hair is damaged due to the stated reasons and wants to file a claim should demonstrate that the hairdresser was negligent, and failed to provide proper duty of care. When claiming for hair damage, any compensation payment will be covered by the establishment’s insurance and not the personal insurance of the staff believed to be negligent.
Victims of hair damage should keep records of their appointment. It is best to take photos of the damage. If there are photos of the hair prior to the damage, these should also be saved as evidence. A doctor’s medical certificate confirming the damage, including psychological trauma if applicable, can also help. It’s best to seek help from experts in hair damage claims since they can provide the necessary advice and services.
Image via freedigitalphotos.net/ marin
