Evidence required from people injured while visiting a hairdresser
If you have received an injury at the hairdresser, you could help prevent it from happening to others.
Under current laws, hairdressers do not need public liability insurance. This type of insurance protects customers if a hairdresser causes injury to them.
Hairdressers do not need registration or any formal qualifications. This leaves customers vulnerable and legal groups are calling for change.
Case studies required
If you have a chemical burn, skin damage, or hair loss after a trip to the hairdresser, you should be able to claim compensation.
However, there is a chance you will not be able to claim if the salon does not have public liability insurance.
The Hair Council protects people who go to hairdressers. It is working with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) as it wants the law to change.
It needs evidence from people who have sustained an injury at the hairdresser. But were unable to claim compensation as the hairdresser did not have public liability insurance.
The Hair Council is in talks with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It wants hairdressers to undergo mandatory registration and have public liability insurance by law.
If you have been unable to claim compensation due to a lack of insurance, email info@nvlegal.co.uk and we will forward your details to APIL.
Client case study
Our client suffered burns to her head and face while she was having her hair dyed. This was because the hairdresser used a hair drying machine on the incorrect setting.
The salon denied liability. However, following proceedings, the salon offered compensation reflecting 100% of the claim.
Our client stated: “Thank you for everything you have done for me. I’m glad I went through with this, and if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have gotten this far.
“It is nice to get a result out of it, not just the money but to prove that people are wrong and shouldn’t get away with these things. I have never done this before, but I thought the whole process has been very efficient with good communication. It has been brilliant all round and I have been treated very well.”
Hairdresser
Hairdresser employees are also at risk of injury. Contact dermatitis has more than 7,000 cases reported in the UK every year. It causes irritation, redness, cracking, or blistering on the skin.
If skin is not protected, the use of soaps, cleaning materials or working with wet hands can cause work-related contact dermatitis.
There are regulations in place to protect workers from the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
Employees who are in contact with regulated chemicals must receive training. Failure to provide a suitable risk assessment can lead to fines for the company.
Employers have a responsibility to protect their staff. Workplaces should follow the guidance produced by the British Safety Council:
Exposure – Employers must prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances. This can include the provision of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) where necessary
- Control measures – Install control measures around hazardous substances. Ensure these up to date, in working order, and clean where appropriate
- Instruction – Provide employees with information, instruction, and training around working with hazardous substances
- Procedures – Have procedures in place to deal with accidents and emergencies
- Surveillance – Ensure employees exposed to hazardous substances are under adequate surveillance
- Risk assessments – Carry out COSHH risk assessments and ensure they are fit for purpose
- Limits – Ensure the use of hazardous substances does not exceed the Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL).
- Supervision – Check employees are carrying out tasks as they should
(source: BSC)
NV Legal
NV Legal has a specialist team of solicitors. Experienced in achieving successful outcomes for clients exposed to hazardous substances.
If you or someone you know has questions about these issues, contact us for legal advice.
Consultations are FREE of charge. Advice is from qualified solicitors, regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Call – 03308 281586
Email – info@nvlegal.co.uk
Website – www.nvlegal.co.uk
