Written by Will Jones
When you go to a beauty salon, you generally expect that the services being provided are competent and done with care. However, even skilled professionals can make mistakes and cause you harm, especially when working with the dangerous chemicals often used in beauty salons. The effects of these accidents can be drastic, including chemical burns with lasting or permanent effects. If you have experienced a chemical burn from a beauty treatment, it’s important to understand your rights in filing a chemical burn lawsuit.
What may warrant a chemical burn lawsuit against a beauty salon?
“When you visit a beauty salon as a paying customer, you have a reasonable right to expect proper treatment,” explains Kimberly Raab, Partner at Virginia personal injury law firm Burnett & Williams. “It is assumed that you will be provided with competent services by licensed professionals in a sanitary environment using the proper tools and procedures. If a business fails to uphold these basic standards, it could constitute negligence.”
Some of the most common specific examples of negligence include:
- Improper mixing: Salon chemicals are generally safe when used according to directions; however, mistakes happen, and this can constitute negligence. For example, if a beautician uses two products that react adversely with one another, they can cause harm to the customer and be held liable. Another negligent mistake that can happen is accidental contamination, such as when a product being used on the client reacts with cleaning supplies used on a surface.
- Leaving products on too long: One of the most common improper uses of beauty products is leaving products on too long. This can happen for any number of reasons, from misreading the directions to getting distracted by another client. However, this is often one of the more clear-cut arguments for negligence in cases against beauty salons.
- Failure to do spot tests: Another common mistake made in beauty parlors is failing to do spot tests. Most product directions recommend testing them on a safe area of your body, such as the underside of your arm, before applying them to sensitive areas like your face. If a cosmetologist fails to take this step, they could be held liable for any injuries they cause.
- Improper licensing: In most states, beauty professionals must complete specific safety training and hold the appropriate licenses to provide professional services. If a salon or spa is found to employ unlicensed workers or workers whose licenses have expired, the liability could fall on the business.
What rights do you have in a serious injury lawsuit after burn injuries caused by a beauty salon?
Many victims who have suffered injuries in a beauty salon wonder if they can file a lawsuit to pursue damages, and the answer is yes. However, it is important to understand that these cases are often complicated and far more difficult than a typical personal injury case. Chemical burns, in particular, often blur the lines between premises liability and product liability, making it challenging to determine where liability lies among the business, the employee, and the manufacturer of the defective product.That being said, victims must understand the most important requirement about their right to pursue damages: the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations is the period after an accident during which a victim has time to file a lawsuit. Although the statute of limitations varies from state to state, many states have set it at two years from the date of an accident. If a victim misses this deadline, they may be barred from receiving compensation of any kind.
When you have been injured with a chemical burn as a result of treatment received at a beauty salon, it is important to make sure you have thorough documentation. Seek medical treatment immediately, not only to properly assess the extent of your injuries but also to intervene to attempt to mitigate any worsening. You should also take photos of your injury immediately after it occurs, as well as the scene of the injury, to document any conditions that may have contributed to its severity.
Hire a specialized law firm like Burnett & Williams to be your chemical burn injury lawyers
Because it can be extremely difficult to prove liability in cases like these, they are not often settled out of court and instead go to trial. With this in mind, it is important to hire a skilled personal injury attorney with trial experience, like Raab and her team at Burnett & Williams, to handle your case.“You want someone on your side who will fight for your rights,” says Raab. “Find an attorney with a track record of winning cases like yours, as they will understand the nuances of the laws and regulations to best help you on your case.”
The goal of a personal injury lawsuit against a beauty salon is to get fair compensation for the damages you have suffered as a result of your injury, including tangible losses, such as medical bills and lost wages for recovery, as well as intangible losses like pain and suffering. Chemical burns can also result in permanent disfigurement and scarring, which could cause emotional distress and have a drastic long-term effect on your mental health, which should be part of your compensation claim.
“If you or a loved one has suffered a chemical burn from a beauty treatment, contact us today for a free consultation,” concludes Raab. “Our team of lawyers will review your case and determine if we can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.”
