Hair Damage Claims

Whether you want a new haircut, a new hair colour or just a routine trim, when you go to a hair salon or barber, you expect to be in good hands and have a pleasant experience. However, negligence on the part of a hairdresser can result in various types of injuries, such as burnt hair, bald patches and excessive hair loss. In such cases, you may be eligible to make a hair damage claim for compensation.

Various other situations can result in hair damage, such as road traffic accidents, workplace accidents, medical negligence and criminal assaults. No matter the circumstances, if another party was at fault for your injury, you may be able to make a claim for your pain and suffering.

If you suffered damaged hair due to someone else’s negligence and you want to seek compensation, call 0800 470 0474 today or use our contact form to request a call back. You will receive a free case assessment and find out what your legal options are, with no obligation to proceed.

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Table of Contents

• What are the different types of hair damage?
• Am I eligible to claim hair damage compensation?
• What types of accidents could cause damage to hair?
• What could be the consequences of hairdresser negligence?
• Evidence needed to support a hair damage claim
• How much compensation for hair damage could I receive?
• How long do I have to make a hair damage compensation claim?
• How long will my claim for hair damage take?
• Can I claim compensation using a No Win No Fee service?

What are the different types of hair damage?

Damage to hair can result from various situations and can have a profound impact, as our hair is an essential part of our identity and often one of the first things people notice about us. Some of the most common types of injuries that can affect the hair or scalp include:

• Chemical burns on the scalp
• Hair breakage and thinning
• Bald patches
• Brittle hair
• Dermatitis of the scalp
• Allergic reactions to hair products
• Permanent hair loss
• Scarring on the scalp
• Scalp irritation and itchiness
• Alopecia
• Permanent damage to hair follicles

An injury to the hair or scalp can also have a profound emotional impact and lead to stress, anxiety, depression and embarrassment. If another party was responsible for the harm you suffered, you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim for compensation.

Am I eligible to claim hair damage compensation?

If you suffered hair damage without being at fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your pain, suffering and related financial losses. The easiest way to find out if you may be able to claim is through a free consultation with a legal adviser. They will take on your case if the following can be proven:

• Another party, such as a hairdresser, owed you a duty of care
• They breached this duty by committing an act of negligence
• You suffered hair damage or scalp injuries as a direct result of their actions

A duty of care will be established based on the relevant legislation, depending on the circumstances of your injury. You should not worry too much about this, as your solicitor will check this for you during a free case assessment. If your claim has merit, they will also help you gather evidence to support it and contact the other side to start negotiating your compensation award.

What types of accidents could cause damage to hair?

Hair damage can happen because of various types of negligence and accidents. Some of the most common situations that could result in a hair injury and a compensation claim include:

• Road traffic accidents. Road collisions can cause hair and scalp damage due to head trauma and abrasions from the impact. If your accident was caused by someone else’s negligence, you could make a claim under the Road Traffic Act 1988.
• Accidents at work. Contact with dangerous chemicals, getting your hair tangled in machinery, and other workplace accidents can lead to severe hair and scalp injuries. Employers have a duty of care to protect workers from harm, including from hair damage. Their duties are set out by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and a breach of duty can result in an accident at work claim.
• Hair salon negligence. Leaving a dye on for too long, using chemicals that are too strong, or failing to perform a patch test can result in various types of hair damage at salons.
• Medical negligence. Damage to the hair or scalp can also be caused by negligent medical care, such as adverse reactions to medication, botched cosmetic procedures, or failure to diagnose or treat scalp conditions.
• Criminal assaults. Physical assaults can also leave you with loss of hair and scalp injuries. Blameless victims of criminal acts can claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) after reporting the incident to the police.
• Faulty products. Defective hairdryers, contaminated hair products and other faulty products can also lead to burns, scalp irritation, breakage and other types of injuries. In such cases, you could make a compensation claim under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

What could be the consequences of hairdresser negligence?

Hairdressers, barbers and salon operators have a legal duty towards their customers and visitors. They must take all reasonable measures to protect them from injury while on their premises, including from damage to their hair. For example:

• The staff must have the appropriate training and qualifications to cut, style, colour, or treat your hair;
• They must understand your hair type, scalp conditions and any allergies or sensitivities before proceeding with treatment;
• You must receive a patch test before using hair dyes or any products that contain known allergens.

A failure to comply with the legislation and provide reasonable care can result in various injuries and hair conditions, some of which were mentioned above.  If a hair salon or a hairdresser has breached their duty of care towards you, you may be entitled to make a hairdresser accident claim. Common types of negligence for which you could make a hair damage compensation claim include:

• Failure to maintain equipment such as hairdryers properly
• Failure to carry out a patch test
• Leaving a dye or bleach on for too long
• Allowing unqualified or inexperienced staff to carry out complex procedures
• Using dirty or unsanitary tools
• Using excessive heat or the incorrect technique

Evidence needed to support a hair damage claim

If you want to claim compensation for hair damage, you will need various types of evidence to show what happened and how that has affected your life. If they take on your case, your solicitor will try to gather as much evidence as possible to help you get the compensation you deserve, which could be:

• Before and after photographs that show the type and extent of damage to your hair or scalp;
• Photos that show the progression of the damage and your healing process to show for how long you were affected;
• Medical records that document the type and severity of your condition;
• Records of all medical treatments and procedures you have undergone to address the hair damage;
• Statements from medical experts who can attest to the cause and extent of the damage to your hair and scalp;
• If your accident was caught on CCTV or a dash cam, the footage can provide an unbiased view of what happened;
• Statements from witnesses to your accident or negligent hair treatment or from friends and family who saw how this has affected your life;
• Your testimony about how you suffered the damage to your hair and its impact on your personal and social life;
• The copy of an accident report filed with the responsible party if you were injured at work or in a public place;
• A police report if you have been the victim of an assault or another violent crime;
• Documentation of any formal complaints made with a hairdresser, medical professional or another party responsible for your injury;
• You also need evidence of any financial losses and expenses you want to include in your hair damage claim, such as prescriptions and private treatments.

How much compensation for hair damage could I receive?

The amount of compensation awarded in a personal injury claim aims to put you in the same position you would have been in had the accident not occurred. The settlement awarded to you will cover two types of damages incurred due to the hair loss or damage:

General damages are awarded for the non-economic losses that arise from the injury. These are subjective and do not have a specific monetary value. Instead, they are based on historical cases and the guidelines from the Judicial College and can include:

• Physical pain and discomfort
• Emotional and psychological impact
• Embarrassment and loss of confidence
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Inability to enjoy activities you previously took part in

Special damages are awarded for economic losses that can be precisely calculated based on evidence, such as receipts and invoices. These cover the financial impact suffered due to the damaged hair and could include:

• Medical expenses such as dermatological treatments
• Expenses for medication and topical treatments
• The cost of travelling to and from medical appointments
• Income lost due to inability to work
• The cost of cosmetic procedures to improve your appearance

According to our online compensation calculator, you could receive the following hair damage compensation amounts:

• £1,500 to £3,460 for dermatitis and other skin conditions that resolve within a few weeks or months
• £3,710 to £6,890 for less severe damage to hair, where regrowth will occur
• £8,960 to £13,450 for more severe damage and poor prognosis for regrowth
• £5,130 to £16,720 for a moderate psychological injury that affects work and personal life

How long do I have to make a hair damage compensation claim?

According to the Limitation Act 1980, you typically have three years to make a hair damage claim, starting from one of the following:

• The date of your accident or when you received negligent hair treatment
• The date you become aware that your hair was damaged due to someone else’s negligence

We advise you to seek legal advice as soon as possible, as your case will be time-barred, and the court will no longer accept it if you fail to start the claims process within this period. Also, the sooner you speak to a personal injury solicitor, the easier it will be for them to collate the necessary evidence to support your case. A few exceptions apply to this limitation date:

• A parent or legal guardian can make a child injury claim at any time before the child’s 18th birthday, after which the three-year time limit begins.
• If the claimant cannot start a claim due to PTSD or another condition, such as Down syndrome, the time limit is suspended.
• You have two years to start a claim through the CICA if you were the victim of a violent crime.

How long will my claim for hair damage take?

The time it may take for a hair damage claim to settle depends on various factors, such as:

• How long it takes to gather supporting evidence;
• The circumstances of your accident – for example, claims for medical negligence are typically more complex than road traffic accidents;
• Whether you know the defendant’s identity – if you were the victim of an assault, claiming through the CICA could take longer compared to a typical personal injury claim;
• Whether the defendant admits liability for your hair injury;
• The time it takes to negotiate your compensation claim;
• Whether you have to go to court – this rarely happens, as more than 95% of all hair damage compensation claims are settled out of court.

Usually, a straightforward claim could be resolved within a few months, while more complex cases can sometimes take years to resolve.

There are a few things you can do to speed up the claims process, which include seeking legal advice as soon as possible and documenting your case in as much detail as possible. If you want to settle your claim as soon as possible, you could accept an early-stage offer from the other side, but this may result in less compensation being awarded to you.

Can I claim compensation using a No Win No Fee service?

If you have a fair chance of winning compensation for hair damage, your solicitor will help you start a no win no fee claim*. This service is the preferred way of getting legal representation as it involves no risks for the claimant.

You do not have to pay any upfront fees, and if your case fails, you do not pay your solicitor anything. They only receive a success fee if and after you receive compensation, which is capped at 25% of your payment and will be agreed upon from the beginning. There will be no hidden costs or surprise charges.

You will also have After the Event (ATE) insurance included in your arrangement. This type of legal expenses insurance provides 100% financial safety when making a claim for hair damage. If you lose, the ATE will cover all your costs and disbursement, including the defendant’s expenses and solicitors. You only pay the price of the ATE premium if your claim is successful. Otherwise, you will not be left out of pocket.

To find out if you have a valid hair damage claim and how much compensation you could receive, do not hesitate to get in touch by calling 0800 470 0474 or entering your details to arrange a call back. You will receive a free case assessment with no obligation to proceed.

Last edited on 15th Jul 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.