I Suffered an Accident in a Salon, Can I Claim Compensation?

If you’ve been in a salon accident, you might ask ‘can I claim compensation for an accident in a beauty salon?’ In this guide, we explore the answer to that question. 

salon accident

A guide on claiming after a salon accident

We look at the duty of care owed to you by the salon owner, alongside the legislation that governs this. Injuries that could occur if the duty of care is breached are also covered. We don’t have enough space to cover the full range of injuries that could qualify for a salon accident settlement in this guide. However, you can speak to our advisors to discuss the circumstances surrounding your injuries and they can value your claim for free.  

We explore potential compensation for injuries that could happen in a salon. In addition, we include a few examples of costs you could recover under the special damages head of your claim. 

You might be interested in learning how a No Win No Fee arrangement can benefit your claim if you decide to file one. We’ve included information on how a Conditional Fee Agreement works. 

Our advisors could help start your claim. If it seems eligible you could be passed onto our panel of personal injury solicitors. 

To get in touch with us:

Choose A Section

  1. Can I Make A Claim After A Salon Accident?
  2. Examples Of Accidents In Beauty Salons
  3. Who Is Responsible For A Salon Accident?
  4. Using A Compensation Calculator For Various Injuries
  5. How Can A No Win No Fee Lawyer Help Me?
  6. Find Out More About Salon Accident Claims

Can I Make A Claim After A Salon Accident?

A beauty salon accident can result in injuries. These could be minor, or they may be life-changing. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, you as a customer are owed a duty of care from the controller of the salon. This means the salon, as controller of the space, must take reasonable steps to ensure customer safety. 

However, you might have experienced a beauty salon injury as an employee. Your employer’s duty of care comes under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). Your employer must take reasonable steps to reduce workplace risks. 

In order to make a beauty salon claim, you must be able to prove you were owed a duty of care and a breach of this caused your injuries. We will discuss what evidence you could use to strengthen your claim further in this guide. 

Our advisors can discuss beauty salon compensation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 

Salon Accident Statistics

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) collects statistics on work-related skin disease in Great Britain. Beauticians have a rate of 75.4 cases of contact dermatitis per 100,000 workers each year. It was the occupation with the highest rates for the years 2010-2019.

Examples Of Accidents In Beauty Salons

An accident in a beauty salon could occur in many different ways. However, under the Occupiers’ Liability Act, the salon owner or controller should take steps to reduce the risks customers may face. The Occupiers’ Liability Act states that the controller of a public place is responsible for reducing risks to the public using the space as intended. Even if the salon owner rents the space, it is the salon’s responsibility to reduce risks to the public. 

Providing patch skin tests for clients before having their hair coloured is one way a salon owner could reduce risks. A patch test could be conducted 24-48 hours prior to the customer’s appointment. If the skin reacts, then the customer should not have that particular hair dye used on them. Failure to provide the patch test and applying colour regardless could be considered negligence. 

Injury in a beauty salon

If you’ve been injured in a beauty salon, you might be able to file a personal injury claim. This applies to both customers and workers. 

Potential causes of salon accident injuries:

  • Slips, trips and falls. Wet floors and clutter in walkways could result in broken bones, for example. 
  • Burns and scalds. Whether it is water temperature or curling tongs, burns and scalds could occur. Signs warning of the water temperature could reduce the scald risk. Heat appliances should be kept secured to prevent them from falling onto someone resulting in a burn. 
  • Toxic fume inhalation. Hair and beauty products could release toxic fumes resulting in lung damage. Adequate ventilation, for example, could prevent lung injuries. 
  • Allergic reactions. As already mentioned, a patch test is one way to reduce the risk of allergic reactions. It doesn’t just apply to hair colour, but can apply to various products used on a customer’s skin. 

Talk to our advisors about your potential compensation for a salon accident. 

Who Is Responsible For A Salon Accident?

In order to claim for a beauty salon accident, you must be able to provide evidence that the salon was negligent in their duty of care. The steps you’ve taken following an injury could help strengthen a beauty salon injury claim. 

After an accident in a salon, you could:

  • Seek medical attention. Medical notes could be submitted as evidence. 
  • Note witness contact details. Witnesses could be contacted for a statement at a later date. 
  • Request CCTV. It is within your rights to request CCTV footage of yourself.
  • Seek legal advice. A solicitor could help your claim by organising evidence or contacting witnesses for a statement. 

Free legal advice is available from our advisors. 

Using A Compensation Calculator For Various Injuries

You might have questions such as ‘how much could I get after a salon accident?’ In this section, we discuss the two potential heads of your beauty salon accident claim. Below are examples of general damages and special damages. 

General Damages

You claim under general damages to compensate for your physical injuries and any related emotional distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) you may suffer. To learn the full extent of your injuries, you might be invited for an independent medical assessment. 

Legal professionals may use a document titled the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to assign potential value to your injuries. Injuries are listed next to their compensation brackets in it. 

The compensation table below includes potential figures from the 16th edition, released in April 2022. 

InjuryPotential CompensationNotes
Moderately severe PTSD£23,150 to £59,860Significant disability for foreseeable future; however, there's some recovery with professional help.
Moderately severe psychiatric damage£19,070 to £54,830Significant problems coping with life and relationships, but with an optimistic prognosis.
Less severe facial scarring£17,960 to £48,420Significant psychological reaction from substantial facial scars.
Dermatitis and other skin conditions (a)£13,740 to £19,200Symptoms impact both hands for years and could include psychological distress.
Total and partial loss of index finger£12,170 to £18,740May result in disfigurement and grip impairments.
Dermatitis and other skin conditions (b)£8,640 to £11,410Dermatitis that settles with treatment, could impact one of both hands.
Hair damage (a)£7,340 to £11,020Emotional distress from hair damage and/or loss caused by dermatitis, eczema, and/or scalp burning.
Chest injuries (e)£5,320 to £12,590Toxic fume inhalation with residual damage.
Minor eye injuries£3,950 to £8,730Pain and temporary vision interference from fume exposure, being struck or splashed with liquids.
Hair damage (b)£3,950 to £7,340Minor emotional distress from hair damage and loss, may include dermatitis, eczema and scalp burning.

Special Damages

As part of your compensation for a beauty salon accident, you might be able to claim special damages. This is the head of claim that recovers costs incurred due to your injury in a salon. To claim special damages, however, you must be able to supply evidence of your costs. This could be a receipt or your wage slips, for example. 

You could recover:

  • Loss of earnings. 
  • Cosmetic devices and surgery. 
  • Therapy costs. 

Our advisors could estimate your general damages for your injury claim for a salon accident. Also, they can advise you on what you could claim under special damages and the evidence you should save. 

How Can A No Win No Fee Lawyer Help Me?

If you’ve experienced an injury in a salon, you might like to claim compensation. This could seem daunting. You will need to present evidence that you were owed a duty of care and it was breached, which resulted in your injuries. 

Legal representation could make the salon accident claims process seem easier. However, the costs could be prohibitive. Not with a No Win No Fee solicitor though. No Win No Fee solicitors use a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This means that you won’t be charged an upfront solicitor’s fee. You will only be charged a success fee in the event that your claim is successful. The legally capped success fee will be taken from your award. 

Ask Us About Salon Accident Claims

Contact our advisors for free legal advice about your potential salon injury claim. They are available 24 hours per day, 7 days each week to answer your questions if you’ve experienced an injury due to negligence. They could even estimate your salon accident payout. If your claim seems valid, you could be connected with our panel of personal injury solicitors. 

To get in touch:

Find Out More About Salon Accident Claims

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Writer Danielle Blythe

Publisher Ruth Vincent