Hairdressers and cosmetologists deal directly with the health, comfort, safety, and welfare of the public. For this reason, there are numerous government regulations to ensure sanitary conditions and competent work. In addition to these regulations, the law provides remedies for people who suffer injuries as a result of a salon's negligence. Common injuries include cutaneous reactions, ocular disturbance, hair damage, and systemic infections.
What Duties Does A Beauty Salon Owe To Its Customers?A beauty salon owes the same duty to its customers that all professionals do: to possess the amount of knowledge, skill, and care shared by other members of the profession. This duty applies even if they are doing the procedure for free or to remedy previous unsatisfactory work. Generally, this duty breaks down into two categories.
First, a beauty salon must conduct tests to determine the effect of a particular product on a patron's skin or hair. These tests are important in determining any possible adverse reactions of both skin and hair to the process, and a failure to conduct such tests may be a breach of duty on the part of the salon.
Second, a beauty salon has a duty to properly administer the treatment. This kind of breach of duty may occur in three different instances.
Failure to select the appropriate treatment
A beauty operator who fails to either have or utilize the required knowledge in selecting an appropriate product for use in a particular treatment breaches his duty towards his client and may be liable for any injuries that result from the breach. While the failure to select an appropriate product may be related to a failure to conduct a preliminary test, it may also provide its own separate cause of action. Failure to use as directed
A beauty operator may also breach his duty toward his patron by failing to use products in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. While the beauty operator may select the proper product for a treatment, he will still be liable for any injuries resulting from his failure to use the product in a correct manner, as indicated by the product directions. Failure to carefully and diligently perform the treatment
Finally, a beauty operator may breach his duty toward his patron by failing to carefully and diligently perform the treatment in question. Even if a beauty operator selects the appropriate product and uses it in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, he will still be liable for any injuries resulting from sloppy or careless performance of the treatment in question that fails to conform to the accepted standard of conduct.
Should I Consult An Attorney About Injuries I Suffered In A Beauty Salon?Proving your case and recovering for your injuries can be a difficult process. Additionally, the salon may require you to sign a waiver before the treatment in an effort to avoid liability. A personal injury attorney can help explain the law and protect your rights so that you can be compensated for your injuries. |
