Hair Damage Claims – How Much Compensation Could I Claim?

Hair damage can have repercussions that are much more serious than a casual bad hair day. Damage to hair can be caused in various ways and can result in several short or long-term consequences. If your hair damage was due to professional negligence, an accident that was not your fault, or a criminal act of violence, you may be eligible to file a hair damage claim for compensation.

If you decide to seek compensation for hair damage, we can help. A member of our team will review your claim and explain your options during a free telephone consultation. They’ll offer free legal advice and could partner you with a personal injury solicitor. If they believe the case is viable and agree to represent you, they’ll do so on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you’ll not have to pay anything for your solicitor’s work unless they win compensation for you.

To talk to us right away about your hair damage claim, please call us on 0800 6524 881. Otherwise, please continue on to learn more about how to claim compensation for hair damage.

Am I Eligible To Make A Hair Damage Compensation Claim?

Our solicitors don’t want to waste anybody’s time, so they will only take on hair damage compensation claims with a realistic chance of success. Therefore, during their assessment of your case, they’ll try to find out whether:

• The defendant in your case owed you a duty of care; and
• Because they were negligent an incident or accident occurred; in which
• You suffered hair damage.

You should not worry too much about proving that a duty of care existed. A solicitor from our team will check this for you when you call. Essentially, there are many laws that can be used to prove that the defendant owed you a legal duty of care. For example, if you’ve suffered hair damage in a workplace accident, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 might be relevant.

To prove the other two statements are true, you’ll likely need to supply some form of evidence. Therefore, we’ll explain what you could use to support your claim later on in this guide.

Common Causes Of Hair Damage Claims

Any process or action that makes the condition of your hair worse than it was before may constitute hair damage. While negligence on the part of hairdressers is the most common cause of hair damage claims, it is not the only cause.

These are some of the different causes of hair damage that could result in a compensation claim:

• Your hair was burnt by a faulty hairdryer in a salon.
• Your hair was pulled out during a criminal assault (see our criminal injuries claims guide for more details).
• A machine ripped your hair out in an accident at work due to a missing safety guard.
• You suffered scalp burns and hair loss after a laser hair removal treatment went wrong.
• A defective hair straightener or curling iron overheated, causing a burnt scalp.

This is just a small sample of the reasons hair damage compensation claims might be possible.

Professional Negligence In Terms Of Wrongful Hair Product Usage

This refers to hair damage that results from the hairdresser, for example, leaving chemicals such as hair dye on the hair too long, or applying chemicals that are too strong for the hair. Either of these actions could result in a wide range of injuries and hair conditions, including:

As well as the physical effects, the consequences of damaged hair can cause, you could also claim compensation for psychological injuries too. For example, you could be eligible to claim for any embarrassment suffered by bald patches. If you believe you should be compensated for hair damage, please call to discuss your options.

How Much Compensation For Hair Damage Could I Claim?

Your solicitor will calculate the amount of compensation for hair damage to claim based on your pain and suffering and any financial losses/expenses associated with your injuries. Essentially, a settlement figure will be based on general damages (the suffering you’ve endured) and special damages (any costs you’ve incurred). Each hair damage claim will vary from the next, but in general, you could claim for:

• The physical pain and suffering your hair damage has caused.
• Loss of amenity (not being able to participate in social activities, hobbies, etc, because of your damaged hair).
• Any psychological impact caused by your injuries, such as anxiety, distress or embarrassment.
• Medical expenses and the cost of remedial treatment.
• Care costs if somebody else needed to look after you while you were injured.
• Travel expenses linked to your hair damage, such as parking fees and fuel costs when attending medical appointments.
• Lost earnings if you could not work while you were injured.

Getting your claim right is vital, as you usually cannot request additional compensation after you’ve settled your case with the defendant. Therefore, it’s important to consider exactly how you’ve suffered due to your damaged hair before filing your claim. This is something our personal injury solicitors are experienced in. If your case is taken on, they’ll always try to secure the maximum compensation possible for your suffering.

Hair Damage Compensation Amounts

When solicitors and insurers settle hair damage claims, the amount of compensation awarded (for general damages) is based on guidelines from the Judicial College. We’ve used that data below to give you some idea of compensation amounts for hair damage that could be awarded. Please be aware that these figures are not set in stone.

• £8,960 to £13,450 compensation for hair damage that has led to conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, burning of the scalp, hair loss, causing distress, embarrassment, and depression. Where there is significant psychological disability or surgery has been required compensation may be higher.
• £4,820 to £8,960 compensation for less severe cases of hair damage, where symptoms are typically minor.

The amount paid in a successful hair damage claim will usually depend mainly on the severity of your injuries. Therefore, as part of your hair damage compensation claim, you may need an independent medical assessment to help determine how severe your injuries have been and what effect they’ve had on your life. Our solicitors can usually book an appointment with a local medical expert so you won’t have to travel too far. After the meeting, a report will be compiled to list your injuries and explain your prognosis for the future.

Evidence To Support A Hair Damage Claim

To support your hair damage claim, it’s important to gather as much relevant evidence as possible. Some examples include:

• Photographs. Take plenty of clear photos of the damage to your hair and scalp immediately after the incident. These can visually demonstrate the extent of the harm caused.
• Medical records. If you sought medical treatment for your hair damage (such as burns, scalp injuries, or allergic reactions), your medical records will be vital in showing the physical impact of the incident.
• Receipts for treatments. If you’ve had to undergo corrective treatments to address the damage, keep receipts for any related expenses. This could include consultations with specialists, hair treatments, or even wigs or hairpieces if needed.
• Witness statements. If the incident occurred in a public setting, such as a hair salon, any witnesses who can corroborate your version of events can support your hair damage claim.
• Correspondence. Keep records of any complaints you’ve made to the responsible party, such as emails or text messages. This can show that you attempted to resolve the matter directly and help build your case.
• Expert opinions. In some cases, a report from a trichologist or dermatologist can provide valuable insight into the extent of the damage and any long-term effects, such as permanent hair loss or scarring.
• Evidence of financial losses. Keep track of any financial losses you’ve suffered as a result of your hair damage, such as lost earnings if you were unable to work, or travel expenses for medical appointments.

A personal injury solicitor on our team could assist with collecting evidence to prove your hair damage claim. Therefore, please call us today if you’d like a free consultation.

Hair Damage Compensation Claims FAQs

In this section, we’ve answered a few questions that we’re often asked about the hair damage claims process. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch.

Do I Need To Go To Court When Claiming Compensation For Damaged Hair?

In the majority of cases we deal with, claims are settled out of court. Usually, the defendant will ask an insurance company to deal with the claim on their behalf. Our solicitors and the insurer will always try to reach an amicable agreement because court cases can be costly and time-consuming. However, a very small number of cases do end up in court if an agreement can’t be reached on liability or the value of the settlement.

How Long Do I Have To Make A Hair Damage Compensation Claim?

The limitation period for personal injury claims involving adult claimants is usually 3-years. For most hair damage claims, the time limit starts from the date the hair was damaged, although exceptions can apply. We’d suggest it is better to begin your claim early on, as you’ll find it easier to collect evidence to support your case. If you claim for hair damage through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), you’ll need to act within a 2-year time limit.

For children, please see our guide here to what a litigation friend is.

Can I Sue My Employer If My Hair Was Damaged At Work?

Some people worry about the consequences of claiming against their employer. However, your employer should not dismiss you or treat you unfairly simply because you have made a genuine claim. If they do, you may have grounds for a separate employment claim.

I Had An Allergic Reaction After My Hair Was Dyed, Can I Sue?

Hair and beauty salons should always carry out a patch test before using products that contain known allergens. If this didn’t happen or you weren’t asked about known allergens, you could claim if you then suffered an allergic reaction following your treatment.

Do I Need A Solicitor To File A Hair Damage Claim?

We believe it’s best to have a personal injury solicitor on your side if you decide to seek compensation for hair damage. Their legal skills and experience could have a positive difference in the outcome of your claim or the amount of compensation you’re awarded.

If your claim is accepted by one of our solicitors, they’ll make the process much less stressful by working on a No Win No Fee basis. This can also reduce your financial risk too.

At the start of your hair damage claim, you will sign a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This will make it clear what your solicitor will do for you, when you’ll need to pay for their work, and how much you’ll pay from your compensation as the fee. If your claim fails, you don’t need to pay any solicitor’s fees at all.

Please call today to see if one of our No Win No Fee accident claim solicitors can represent you.

Starting The Hair Damage Compensation Claims Process

We hope this guide has made it clear when you could be compensated for hair damage. If you have decided that you’d like to start a hair damage claim right away, call our advice centre on 0800 6524 881. During your free consultation, you’ll be advised on your options and the steps you should take next.

Remember, you’ll only need to pay for your solicitor’s work if your case is won because all accepted claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.

Please use live chat to connect with an advisor if you have any further questions on hair damage compensation claims.