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Original poster

Compensation from Hairstyler Burn

70 replies

Suburbanlady · 20/10/2022 11:19

Hi,

Posting here for traffic as I would really like some advise please if anyone has been through anything similar. It's more of what would you do in this situation.

DD's hairstyler was faulty and broke, landing in her lap and causing burns on both her legs. At the time, I emailed the Company and after checking the product they declared it wasn't faulty but down to misuse (this was a load of bollocks).

5 months later, DDs legs are still scarred. After seeing her upset yesterday trying to hide her scars, I emailed the CEO. I got a call back from a Secretary who offered £150 store credit as a good will gesture, which I declined. She then offered £150 cash. I said I would have to think about it. She then asked what I was expecting and I replied I hadn't really given it much thought and would speak to someone about it.

So my question is, what would you do in this situation? DD has scars on both legs, maybe permanently. £150 seems to me to be a bit of an insult.

OP posts:
Original poster
Suburbanlady · 20/10/2022 12:40

AnApparitionQuipped · 20/10/2022 12:33

How old was the hairdryer when the accident happened?

18 months old.

But the clips should not have been worn as they had never been used (the attachment was never changed, it stayed on all the time).

OP posts:
MrsWhites · 20/10/2022 12:47

I can see why you think your daughter is owed but I think to get anything significant you would have had to prove via someone independent that the item had been faulty. Given that you didn’t do that or visit hospital at that time I’d probably just be a bit cheeky now and ask for more than they are offering - enough for a new safer model of hair styler and some scar gels maybe.

As someone suggested earlier ask them for £500 and see what they say - they obviously expect to give you something as they offered up the £150 quickly and then asked what you expect rather than ‘well that’s it take it or leave it’ type of response.

AnApparitionQuipped · 20/10/2022 12:51

Suburbanlady · 20/10/2022 12:40

18 months old.

But the clips should not have been worn as they had never been used (the attachment was never changed, it stayed on all the time).

Show quote history

It will be impossible to prove that the attachment hadn't been used, I think if pursued, they are likely to say it's wear and tear. But they clearly want to offer something, which is good.

Forgetting for a moment what others think, or what that are likely to offer, what do you feel would compensate your daughter adequately for the upset this has caused her? What sum of money is going to make both of you feel happier about it. Ask for that, and see what happens.

Isaidnoalready · 20/10/2022 12:59

Look into scar reduction treatment base your request accordingly

Original poster
Suburbanlady · 20/10/2022 13:11

Thank you to everyone who took the time to reply. It really is appreciated.

OP posts:
BattenburgDonkey · 20/10/2022 13:17

I’d possible suggest they also provide a new hairstyler as well as the £150, £150 is a lot of money for a 16 year old and it seems like a fair resolution as she didn’t need a doctor or any professional treatment and the hair styler wasn't new anyway.

3ShotsOfEspresso · 20/10/2022 13:19

Please also remind your daughter that she will accrue war wounds throughout her life, and these are not things to be ashamed of.

OtterAnimagus · 20/10/2022 13:42

I think £150 cash is probably the best offer you will get. My work place will offer a gesture of good will (never cash, maybe a refund at best) but if you said you wanted compensation for injury they would tell you to make a claim as then it's on the insurance company not the business, if you hadn't already accepted the gesture of goodwill would then be retracted.

Original poster
Suburbanlady · 20/10/2022 16:55

OtterAnimagus · 20/10/2022 13:42

I think £150 cash is probably the best offer you will get. My work place will offer a gesture of good will (never cash, maybe a refund at best) but if you said you wanted compensation for injury they would tell you to make a claim as then it's on the insurance company not the business, if you hadn't already accepted the gesture of goodwill would then be retracted.

Do you know how successful the insurance claims usually are?

OP posts:
DuckTails · 20/10/2022 17:04

Here’s my suggestion - if your concern is more about your DD, I would find a private plastic surgeon dealing with burns and find out how much a consultation would be. I would then ask the company to cover that at a minimum. Alternatively if you can afford it yourself pay outright for the consultation and see what he says - if he suggests treatment you can try and get the company to pay the equivalent of that or near enough as well as cover his consultation fee.

I think without some kind of medical involvement though it does seem like your chancing it tbh because if your DD is worried about scars what’s £150 going to do?

StarfishBrain · 20/10/2022 17:07

If you've had the styler for a couple of years and it was due to the clips being worn down then that's not a fault, that's wear and tear from use and the company are not liable for that, as they will advise that clips are checked periodically to ensure they're not worn/become damaged and are correctly locked in.

You don't know if they give that advice.

Under UK consumer lawall products must be fit for purpose for 7 years of use from purchase as standard.

W0tnow · 20/10/2022 17:12

I agree try to ask for more and perhaps spend it on a consultation with a dermatologist for advice on scar minimisation? Or topical creams?

MrsPinkCock · 20/10/2022 17:42

Why don’t you have a chat with a personal injury lawyer and see whether there is any merit to a claim? If there is, they will conduct it on a no win no fee basis.

I recently settled my claim against my hairdresser when they over processed my hair and made a series of errors, resulting in my hair all breaking off. They admitted liability and it settled for £6.5k!

It’s worth a chat with a lawyer and I wouldn’t accept £150 (I am a lawyer myself but in a different field).

Allywill · 20/10/2022 17:55

I had boiling water spilt on me by a staff member in my works restaurant.
Resulting burn ran from just under my arm pit to almost elbow and and was half the circumference of my arm.
I had around 5/6 hospital appointments to dress and re dress the burn. Took around 8-10 weeks to heal with no visible scarring.
I raised a claim (used my union so there was no fee). Go at as far as a court date being scheduled but they settled before on 2k.
Took best part of 2 years though

cc1997 · 20/10/2022 18:11

You really should have taken her to hospital to get it on her medical records at the time if you wanted to make a claim. I don't think you'll get very far at this stage with a solicitor, but you could try a consultation with a no win, no fee one, I guess.

It's unclear what you want. They've offered you some money for a new hair styler. They're not going to just give you loads more and admit fault for a burn with very little proof from yourself as they would owe you thousands if they did that.

Waveacrossabay · 20/10/2022 18:16

Problem is, that because you didn't take her to hospital it's not on her records. They could argue it wasn't their tool that caused the injury at all

FivePotatoesHigh · 20/10/2022 18:20

I don’t understand why you replied saying you didn’t know! Why didn’t you wait, speak to someone for advice and reply after that??

workiskillingme · 20/10/2022 18:30

My daughter had 20% second degree burns , the scarring will go after about 8-10 months if it didn't need any treatment it will only be superficial

FoxtrotOscarDear · 20/10/2022 18:30

MrsPinkCock · 20/10/2022 17:42

Why don’t you have a chat with a personal injury lawyer and see whether there is any merit to a claim? If there is, they will conduct it on a no win no fee basis.

I recently settled my claim against my hairdresser when they over processed my hair and made a series of errors, resulting in my hair all breaking off. They admitted liability and it settled for £6.5k!

It’s worth a chat with a lawyer and I wouldn’t accept £150 (I am a lawyer myself but in a different field).

6.5K. For hair? That grows back?

A painful whiplash and knee injury that needed several weeks of physio was less than half that amount. Don’t be getting op’s hopes up!

girlmom21 · 20/10/2022 18:37

Take the cash.

ForeverFailing · 20/10/2022 18:42

Suburbanlady · 20/10/2022 12:40

18 months old.

But the clips should not have been worn as they had never been used (the attachment was never changed, it stayed on all the time).

Show quote history

18 months old. They could argue it was roughly handled and you can’t prove it wasn’t. The burns were not serious enough to seek further medical intervention. Just take the £150 and ask for a £150 voucher thrown in.

MrsPinkCock · 20/10/2022 18:43

FoxtrotOscarDear · 20/10/2022 18:30

6.5K. For hair? That grows back?

A painful whiplash and knee injury that needed several weeks of physio was less than half that amount. Don’t be getting op’s hopes up!

Show quote history

Yes, I was surprised as well. I know whiplash claims have a limit and my friend only got £250.

I worked in PI for six months when I did my training contract donkeys years ago, and I remember someone who lost their little toe getting twice the amount of compensation than someone’s family who was killed in a crash. It struck me at the time that there was no rhyme or reason to it!

I also remember that scarring adds to the value of a claim which might make it worth a conversation with a lawyer.

cc1997 · 20/10/2022 18:44

FoxtrotOscarDear · 20/10/2022 18:30

6.5K. For hair? That grows back?

A painful whiplash and knee injury that needed several weeks of physio was less than half that amount. Don’t be getting op’s hopes up!

Show quote history

I can see why hair could amount to thousands. It doesn't just grow back, it can be a long awful process of growing back your hair, not being able to use any heat on it, never being able to style your hair, having to be careful about everything you do with your hair for possibly a few years. I'd be after thousands if a crap hairdresser ruined my hair. I would definitely take them to court!

I'm sorry you didn't get more for an injury though.

Dibbydoos · 20/10/2022 18:53

How awful :(

When epilators first came out, my mate injured herself with one. She popped back into John Lewis with it and got a refund. The shop assistant insisted on complaining about it on her behalf. She was sent an all singing and dancing food processor worth £00's by way of apology. She was happy with that but she wasn't permanently scarred. She needs to see a plastic surgeon to test if the scarring is permanent and if not what she needs to do (bio oil is brill).

If it is permanent then she may need corrective surgery. They should cover the cost of whatever treatment she needs plus compensation for the pain and suffering.

£150 sounds far too little. Go get the medical info first then negotiate with them. If I recall correctly, if DD is under 16 you have until she's 16 or 3 years following the incident (whichever time period is longest) to make a claim if they are not willing to work it out with you.

Flagshitstore · 20/10/2022 19:05

If it’s 18 months old then you honestly have no leg to stand on. It could easily have been manhandled by your DD in that time and you have no way of proving otherwise.

I’d take the £150 and be very grateful.

Although you can clearly smell the ££££ so I’m not sure you’ll take the advice. No win, no fee maybe?!

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