Claims for Hair Damage and Scalp Burns

Bad encounter at your hairdresser’s?

Not every visit to the hairdresser ends well. While you always expect to leave on a high note, looking like a Venus or Adonis with head-turning hair, sadly this doesn’t always happen.

Disappointment with your cut, colour or style is an occasional outcome. In these circumstances, you’ve got a consumer compliant on your hands, remedied by raising the issue with your hairdresser or salon manager, participating in a dispute resolution scheme or taking the matter to the small claims court.

For more information on this subject, read our blog titled ‘Consumer complaint issue vs legal claim issue’.

Been hurt by your hairdresser?

Less frequently you can suffer harm at the hairdresser’s, and experience physical damage to your hair or scalp. Not to mention psychological damage too.

How do you recognise hair damage? These are some of the tell-tale signs:

• Hair breakage such as split ends or mid shaft breaks
• Hair that breaks as soon as it’s brushed or stretched
• Dry, frizzy, limp hair with reduced elasticity that’s resistant to styling
• Tangled, impossible-to-brush hair
• Burned hair
• Overly porous hair that absorbs moisture easily
• Potentially all of the aforementioned

What does scalp damage look like? Here are the main symptoms:

• Painful scalp burns, scalp blisters, inflammation or all three
• Scabbing that bleeds or weeps when scratched
• Itchy, sensitive skin
• Patches of baldness
• Dermatitis causing tingling, burning sensations
• Cuts and grazes

Sometimes damage is temporary and your hair or scalp will return to normal over time. Sometimes damage is permanent and problems to your hair or scalp will be ongoing.

What causes hair damage and scalp burns?

Hair damage or scalp burns can be caused by the incorrect use of chemicals, electrical styling equipment, cutting instruments or poor application of hair extensions. This may be due to professional negligence on the part of your hairdresser because of an ensuing allergic reaction, insufficient training, faulty tools and general carelessness.

If your injury has been caused by your hairdresser, you may be entitled to make a legal claim for compensation. If your injury resulted in time off work, medical expenses, travel costs or other financial losses, these losses can be included with your injury claim.

How much compensation will I receive?

The amount of compensation you’re likely to be awarded depends upon the severity of your individual case and your personal circumstances. For example, if damage is permanent and your appearance is central to your career, you could sustain significant future loss of income and diminished career prospects because of your injury. Your compensation will reflect this.

If damage is temporary and your injury hasn’t had any serious lasting impact, your claim is likely to be in the region of £1k to £6k. The biggest consideration here is how long it’ll take for your hair or scalp to return to its pre-damaged length and condition.

How do I make a claim?

The process for making a legal claim all starts with recording and gathering evidence, and contacting your solicitor. Read our blog titled ‘A step-by-step guide to the hairdressing claims process’ for detailed instructions.

Next, get in touch with our expert hair claims legal team for your free, initial phone consultation. Complete our online enquiry form, email enquiries@hairdressingclaims.co.uk, phone 0800 970 9102 from a landline or call 0333 202 6560 from a mobile.

Thereafter, your case will proceed on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis and you only pay any fees upon successful settlement of your case. Paying when you win greatly reduces the risk in pursuing a claim. There are no up-front fees or hidden charges.

Contact Hairdressing Claims

Call or email us, or simply complete the contact form below to start your claim…