How To Sue A Hairdresser For Cutting You
By Lewis Aaliyah. Last Updated 6th April 2023. Have you recently been cut by a hairdresser? Do you need advice on how to sue a hairdresser for cutting you? This guide will give you the information you need regarding claims against hairdressers.
Male grooming and hairstyling trends have rocketed in the past few years, resulting in barbershops being more popular than ever. This is great news for barbers, but it does increase the risk of mistakes.
Visiting the barbershop is a pleasant experience for most people, as they leave feeling fresh and satisfied with their haircut. However, what if it goes wrong? How do you sue a hairdresser for cutting you? A barber may be more likely to cause a scalp injury if they are inexperienced and new to the job, but you shouldn’t have to suffer the consequences.
Hairdresser compensation claims often involve more than just damaged hair and hair loss. They could be to do with a cut to the ear, cut to a mole, scalp laceration, and many other types of hairdresser injury.
Get In Touch With Our Team
If you’re wondering how to sue a hairdresser for cutting, this guide is for you. It will discuss what you need to know about suing a barber and making personal injury claims against hairdressers. You can get in touch with our team of advisers by calling 020 3870 4868, or start a claim online. Alternatively, you can chat with our advisers through our online pop-up box for an instant reply.
Once an adviser learns more about your scalp injury, laceration, or cut, they can connect you with our panel of expert lawyers. They can then decide if your case is strong enough to launch a personal injury claim against a barber or hairdresser. Additionally, a personal injury solicitor can also discuss No Win No Fee agreements with you and give you free legal advice regarding suing a hairdresser.
We cannot help you make a claim if we don’t find out more about your hairdresser injury first, so don’t hesitate to have a chat with our advisers. They will be happy to help you and answer any queries you may have regarding hairdressing compensation claims. If you do contact our advisers to receive free legal advice, you are under no obligation to continue with our services, but if you decide to, we can connect you with an experienced personal injury lawyer from our panel.
Services And Information
- Everything You Need To Know About How To Sue A Hairdresser For Cutting You
- What Are Cuts And Lacerations Caused By A Hairdresser?
- Types Of Cut And Laceration Injuries
- Cuts And Lacerations Caused By Wet Shaves
- Injuries Leading To Infected Wounds
- Calculating Compensation When Suing A Hairdresser For Cutting You
- What Duty Of Care Do Hairdressers Have?
- What Are The Health And Safety Regulations For Hairdressers?
- How Much Time Do I Have To Sue A Hairdresser?
- I Was Cut By A Hairdresser, What Should I Do?
- Do You Handle Claims For Cuts And Lacerations By Hairdressers On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Other Information
- FAQs About Suing A Hairdresser
Everything You Need To Know About How To Sue A Hairdresser For Cutting You
This article will provide advice about how to sue a hairdresser for cutting you. It will explore the types of cuts and lacerations caused by a hairdresser injury, as well as an infection that could follow as a result. Additionally, it will discuss how a hairdresser injury can happen and lead to hairdressing compensation claims.
A cut or laceration can be caused by an inexperienced hairdresser who is rushing and therefore more likely to make a mistake. It could also be caused by more experienced hairdressers who make mistakes. Injuries can occur from scissors or blades, resulting in a scalp injury, a cut to the ear, or a cut to a mole (for example). These types of injuries could result in a dangerous infection if not properly cleaned and treated.
You should not attend the hairdressers and worry that you will have a scalp injury or a cut. If this happens, your hairdresser may have breached their duty of care and you shouldn’t have to suffer due to their negligence. If you have experienced a hairdresser injury, please get in touch with our team who can help you gain the compensation you deserve.
What Are Cuts And Lacerations Caused By A Hairdresser?
If you’re wondering how to sue a hairdresser for cutting you, it may help to explore the injuries that can occur at a barbers.
Cuts and lacerations may occur due to a barber not handling equipment, such as scissors or razors, properly. Blunt razors and scissors can cause a hairdresser injury too, and a lack of training or experience on the part of your barber could also lead to injuries. And, of course, even more experienced barbers can lose focus and act without proper care and attention. A barber can be deemed negligent if faulty equipment causes you an injury, as they have a duty of care to maintain their equipment.
A more obvious way that cuts and lacerations can happen is if a hairdresser isn’t paying attention properly. This is irresponsible and could leave you with a cut that could result in permanent scarring. A cut to the ear, cut to a mole or scalp is common in these circumstances. You should never suffer the consequences of someone else’s negligence, so get in contact with our team today to discuss suing a hairdresser that has caused you harm.
The above graph uses statistics from the Office for National Statistics regarding the annual population survey of employment by occupation. Evidently, there are more hairdressers in 2017 than in 2004.
This may well increase the risk of suffering a hairdresser injury, as the occupation is growing and haircuts are becoming more common in our daily lives.
Types Of Cut And Laceration Injuries
In this section, we wanted to provide you with some more information on the different types of injuries you could suffer at the hairdressers
Scalp lacerations
A scalp injury could be caused by blunt razors that haven’t been maintained properly by your barber. Bleeding is common with scalp cuts as the scalp contains many blood vessels. This means you may have to have stitches if you suffer a scalp injury due to someone else’s negligence.
Cuts and wounds to the outer ear
One of the most common hairdresser injuries are cuts to the ear, due to the scissors slipping. These cuts can cause heavy bleeding and may require medical attention. In extreme cases, it could see you lose part of your ear.
Wounds to a mole
Cuts to a mole on the outer ear are one of the worst hairdresser injuries you can sustain, as moles have a good blood supply and, as a result, can bleed profusely. If you experience a cut to the mole, you should seek medical attention immediately or you may have to have the mole removed.
Cuts And Lacerations Caused By Wet Shaves
If a barber is negligent when carrying out a wet shave, the consequences could be significant. This could happen due to a barber failing to ensure the tool is safe to use, which could be the case if it isn’t smooth or if it hasn’t been sharpened properly.
If you are cut during a wet shave, it could leave a noticeable scar as wet shaves are usually done on the face or neck. If you suffer an injury in these areas, you could receive compensation if you sue a hairdresser for cutting you.
Older people will probably receive less compensation than younger people for scarring, as younger people have to experience visible injuries and facial disfigurement for longer. Additionally, different genders may be awarded different compensation amounts too.
For more information on injuries caused by wet shaves, get in touch with our personal injury claims advisers. They can guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Injuries Leading To Infected Wounds
Hairdressers have a duty of care to maintain their equipment and ensure it is safe to use on clients. If this isn’t done to a high standard, their negligence could cause a hairdresser injury, resulting in a possible infected wound. Scissors, razors, and clippers are common tools that cause such injuries.
These tools need to be cleaned and sterilised after every use to prevent infection if an injury occurs. They could contain blood that the human eye cannot see, so it’s important to sterilise them even if they look clean. If the tools are left uncleaned, they could transmit infections to other clients.
The high volume of clients attending a hair salon in one day can make it challenging to sterilise the tools after every use, but this high standard must be maintained to prevent infection. Unsanitary hairdressing tools can lead to infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
A common fungal infection that can be transmitted through clients is scalp ringworm, which can cause hair loss and itchiness. This loss of hair could leave a client feeling unconfident and insecure, and the damage could give them grounds to make a personal injury claim.
Impetigo is another infection that is easily transferable and transmittable between clients. Staph and strep bacteria can lead to impetigo and can result in scalp sores and blisters, and again, could lead to hair loss. This infection can be simple to treat, but its symptoms are unpleasant.
If you have suffered from any of these infections due to an injury, laceration, or cut, get in touch with our team of friendly advisers today. Once they have learned more about your case, they can connect you with our panel of personal injury lawyers who can discuss No Win No Fee agreements and how you can sue a hairdresser for cutting you.
Calculating Compensation When Suing A Hairdresser For Cutting You
When pursuing hairdresser injury compensation, there are different heads of claim to consider, including:
- General damages: Awarded to cover the pain and suffering inflicted by your injuries. They also compensate for any loss of amenity caused, which is when you are unable to take part in activities that you usually enjoy. For example, if you have broken your toe, you might not be able to go jogging if you normally would.
- Special damages: Any losses or out-of-pocket expenses are covered under special damages. For example, if your injury results in you needing time off work, you could suffer a loss of earnings. Retain your wage slip as evidence.
Although you will need to speak to a personal injury lawyer to assess your special damages, the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) offer insight into what general damages might be included in hairdresser injury claims. Solicitors compare evidence to figures featured in the JCG to estimate the value of your claim.
The 16th edition features the estimated value of multiple injuries. The figures are influenced by settlements awarded in previous personal injury claims. Other elements that determine the compensation amounts include your expected recovery time and the impact that your injuries have had on your mental health.
The table below features settlement amounts taken from the JCG.
| Part of Body | Level of Injury | Compensation Amount | Injuries may Include |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facial Disfigurement | Severe | £29,780 to £97,330 | Facial scarring in young claims (typically teens-30 years old that causes psychological distress. |
| Facial Disfigurement | Moderate | £9,110 to £30,090 | The worst effects will be/have been reduced by plastic surgery. The psychological effects aren’t significant or have lessened. |
| Hair Damage | Severe | £7,340 to £11,020 | Scalp may develop burning or eczema or hair may fall out or become brittle. |
| Hair Damage | Moderate | £3,950 to £7,340 | Less severe hair damage, but with similar symptoms to above to a lesser extent. |
| Eye Injury | Severe | £49,270 to £54,830 | Scarring in the region of the affected eye. Serious loss of vision in one eye. Blurry vision in the other eye would claim awards at the top of this bracket. |
| Eye Injury | Moderate | £9,110 to £20,980 | Minor but permanent loss of vision in one or both eyes. Double vision and sensitivity to bright light. |
Please note you should only use the table above as guidance. If you seek a more accurate insight into the work of your hairdresser injury compensation claim, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our advisors could connect you with a specialist lawyer from our panel.
What Duty Of Care Do Hairdressers Have?
When you are getting your haircut, your hairdresser has a duty of care to safeguard and protect you. This means they must follow the legal procedures to keep you safe, such as sterilising and cleaning equipment and tools.
Moreover, they must carry out strand testing to ensure you aren’t allergic to any of the products they are using on your hair. This is usually carried out 48 to 24 hours before your appointment. If you suffer an injury because your hairdresser skipped these steps, you may be eligible to make a hairdressing compensation claim.
Hairdressers must follow their legal duty of care, which we will discuss further in the next section.
What Are The Health And Safety Regulations For Hairdressers?
All hairdressers must adhere to the duty of care set out within the Hairdressers (Registration) Act 1964. As stated above, the law requires that hairdressers must perform strand tests and sterilise equipment to prevent allergic reactions, injuries and infections.
This legislation also states that hairdressers must be properly trained on how to safely carry out their duties. They must be skilled and competent workers who understand how to keep clients safe, as well as why this duty of care is important.
Additionally, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) states that employers and workers must carry out regular testing of electrical appliances. This is to ensure the appliances work properly and are safe to use on clients.
If any of the above rules and regulations are not adhered to and you consequently suffer an injury, you may be eligible to receive hairdressing compensation. You can contact our team to start the personal injury claims process today.
How Much Time Do I Have To Sue A Hairdresser?
There is a three-year time limit to make a personal injury claim regarding your hairdresser injury. This is three years from when the injury occurs or from when you realise the injury was caused by your hairdresser’s negligence.
If you’re under 18, the three-year time limit begins on your 18th birthday. Alternatively, someone you trust can act as a Litigation Friend and pursue the personal injury claim for you anytime before your 18th birthday.
Similarly, if you are incapacitated or lack the mental ability to represent yourself in a claim, the time limit for suing a hairdresser commences when you begin your recovery. On the other hand, a friend/family member can become a Litigation Friend and begin suing a barber for you at any time.
If you have suffered a hairdresser injury, our team of legal advisers would be happy to help you begin the process of suing a hairdresser. If your claim has good grounds for compensation, they can connect you with our panel of personal injury solicitors who can help you gain the compensation you deserve.
I Was Cut By A Hairdresser, What Should I Do?
Have you suffered a hairdresser injury due to someone else’s negligence? First of all, you should report to A&E, a local walk-in centre or call 111 to receive medical attention for your injury. You should also collect any evidence you can to help a potential future claim, such as receipts or booking confirmations, witnesses, CCTV, medical records, and pictures of your injury.
If you have been cut by a hairdresser and have consequently suffered an injury, you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim. Our team of advisers would be happy to help you gain the compensation you deserve.
Once you have had a chat with an adviser, they can connect you with our panel of lawyers who can discuss No Win No Fee agreements with you and calculate how much compensation you could potentially claim.
Do You Handle Claims For Cuts And Lacerations By Hairdressers On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Our panel of lawyers do handle claims for cuts and lacerations by hairdressers on a No Win No Fee basis. When you get in contact with an adviser, they can put you in touch with our panel of lawyers who can discuss No Win No Fee agreements with you.
No Win No Fee agreements are popular with our claimants as there isn’t much to lose. If your case fails, you won’t have to pay any of your solicitor fees. On the other hand, if your case succeeds, your solicitor will deduct a small, legally capped percentage of your compensation.
This percentage will be discussed with you beforehand and is used to pay your lawyer for the hard work they have put into your case. You only have to pay solicitor fees if your case succeeds and you gain compensation, so why wait?
Get in touch with our team of advisers today to see if you could sue a hairdresser for cutting you. We recommend you contact us by:
- Giving us a call on 020 3870 4868. Our advisers are available 24/7 to help you begin your personal injury claim.
- Starting your claims process online through our contact page. An adviser will get back to you at your earliest convenience.
- Chatting to an adviser through our live chat pop-up box to get an instant reply.
Other Information
Can you Sue on Behalf of Someone else?: Is the victim incapacitated or under 18? Our guide explores whether you can sue on behalf of someone else.
Personal Injury Claims: Have you suffered an injury that may not have been your fault? Our article discusses whether you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim and receive compensation.
What are my Rights After an Accident at Work in the UK?: Have you suffered a workplace injury? Our guide will assess whether you could be able to make a personal injury claim.
Cuts and Grazes: If you are caring for a cut of laceration after a hairdresser injury, this NHS guide tells you how to treat the wound and when to get medical help.
Hair Loss: Have you suffered hair loss due to a hairdresser injury? This NHS article explores when to see a GP and the treatments that may help with your loss of hair.
FAQs About Suing A Hairdresser
Can you sue a hairdresser for damaging your hair?
If the damage occurred due to your hairdresser’s negligence, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. This can happen if a hairdresser fails to use chemicals and tools correctly and safely.
What happens if a barber cuts you?
If a barber cuts you, you should attend A&E or ring 111 if the bleeding doesn’t stop and the cut is serious. After you have tended to your injury, you can make a personal injury claim to gain compensation if the hairdresser was negligent and breached their duty of care.
What can I do if my hairdresser ruins my hair?
If your hairdresser ruins your hair, you can ask for a refund or ask them to fix it for free. If they refuse to do this and your hair becomes ruined due to your hairdresser’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim and sue them.
Can you take a hairdresser to court?
Your hairdresser has to have been negligent in order for you to file a personal injury claim against them. If the hairdresser doesn’t admit to this negligence, you can take them to court to sue them and receive compensation.
Thank you for reading our guide on how to sue a hairdresser for cutting you.
