There are many different sorts of accidents that could contribute to hair damage, such as hair being caught in machinery or burned due to chemicals. Most people take care and pride in the appearance of their hair and at First Personal Injury we understand that any damage to your hair, especially if it is long-lasting, could have a negative impact upon your self-esteem and mental health.

First Personal Injury has over twenty years experience and our experts are always happy to help you with your legal journey. Whether your hair damage occurred due to a trip to the hairdressers or in a work environment, we will help you get any compensation that you are owed.

You can call us on 0800 808 9740 or contact us online where we will assess your right to claim.

How Much Compensation For Hair Damage Claims?

When your hair is damaged the effects can often be long-lasting or permanent. As stated above, not only does hair damage have an impact upon your physical appearance it can also have an impact upon your mental well-being and self-esteem, as you may feel uncomfortable about how you look or at the idea of interacting with others.

While hair will often grow back and improve its condition, there is the possibility that your hair may not regrow- depending upon the seriousness of the accident. If the injury affected more than the hair, skin graft surgery might be required which can increase stress and recovery time.

The severity of the hair lost, the circumstances of the accident, the likelihood that it will grow back and if there is a need for additional surgery such as a skin graft will all be factors that will be used to determine the amount of compensation necessary.

There are different levels of severity in regard to hair damage. For example, if the damage has caused permanent discolouration or brittle hair which then falls out, this is quite a serious issue which can have severe emotional consequences as well. You could be awarded roughly £6,400-£9,700 for this sort of injury.

If hair has been pulled out and this leaves bald patches, the damage is arguably less serious as the hair is far more likely to grow back and the effects are not as long lasting. In this case compensation will usually be understood in terms of how long the hair will take to grow back. You may be awarded between roughly £1,000-£6,000 depending upon the severity of your injuries and their permanency.

However, there are some general symptoms which can be useful to look out for if you think your hair might be damaged:

• Dermatitis of the scalp – causing itchiness or burning
• Hair falling out or thinning
• Dry, brittle and scratchy hair
• Unnatural bald patches

Scenarios Where Hair Damage Can Occur

Hair damage can occur through many different environments and the damage itself can differ in its severity. However, the cause of your hair damage does not matter, if your hair has been damaged due to an accident that was not your fault, you may be owed hair damage compensation.

Hair Damage Caused By Salons

Hair damage is most often caused in a hair salon due to the hairstylist making a mistake such as causing an allergic reaction, hair falling out due to the improper use of bleach or chemicals being left in the hair for too long. In the most extreme cases there could be chemical burns due to the length of time that a chemical has been left in or due to the hairdresser using the wrong type of chemical.

Patch Tests

If you want to get a hair treatment which involves chemicals, such as dying your hair, the salon should insist that you have a patch test on part of your hair to ensure that you will not have a bad reaction to the chemicals. If a hair salon has not given you a patch test prior to having chemicals put on the rest of your hair, and you developed an allergic reaction or a general adverse reaction then you may be entitled to make a compensation claim.

Hair damage compensation claims do have a time limit on when they can be made. From the date that the damage to your hair was done, you have three years to make a claim. Due to a pressing time limit, it is therefore important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible if you want to make a claim.

Hair Damage At Work

There are certain health and safety requirements which all employers must adhere to. If yours has not followed these procedures and it can be proven, the company will likely be liable to pay you compensation. Legally, they may also have to reimburse you for your potential loss of earnings and any expenses you have paid for in relation to your hair damage.

There are various health and safety requirements that employers must adhere to in the workplace – including protecting other parts of your body such as your hands from dermatitis if you are a hairdresser. If your employer, no matter the sector in which you work, has not followed the regulations for your profession and it can be proven that this has led to injury, your employer will likely be liable to pay compensation.

What Can I Claim For?

There are two main areas from which hair damage will be assessed: the pain and suffering that has been caused by the initial injury and then an assessment about any financial losses or expenses that have occurred due to the injury. To assess the amount you can claim, you will be assessed by an independent medical professional who will produce a report detailing your injuries, their permanency and your possible recovery. You can also claim for any financial losses or extra expenses that might have occurred as a result of your injury, such as due to an inability to return to work meaning a loss in earnings.

Making Personal Injury Claims

If you have suffered a personal injury, you may be entitled to receive compensation. First Personal Injury solicitors are available to assist you and help win any compensation that you deserve.

First Personal Injury work with families and individuals across England and Wales, leading them on their legal journey and helping them claim compensation after an accident or injury. Contact our specialist team to begin the process, either by phone on 0800 808 9740 or through our online form.