Hairdresser ordered to pay €5,000 for hair loss

A hairdresser has been ordered to pay over €5,000 in damages after a client suffered burns to her scalp

when having highlights put on.

The case was filed by Veron Cutajar against Lilian Bugeja in the First Hall of the Civil Court.

Ms Cutajar claimed in her writ that she had gone to Ms Bugeja for a hair do on September 26, 2003. Ms Bugeja had used a bleach preparation on Ms Cutajar's hair to create highlights. The highlights were covered in foil and heated for 12 minutes. But, as a result of this treatment, Ms Cutajar had suffered burns to her scalp and had lost some hair.

Medical experts found that Ms Cutajar had suffered total hair loss in the areas where the bleach preparation had come in contact with her scalp. The court concluded that there was therefore a direct link between the work carried out by the hairdresser and the injury sustained by Ms Cutajar.

However, the court found that Ms Cutajar had not sought medical treatment immediately and it was only after the lapse of six weeks that she had gone to a doctor. This delay could have aggravated her condition, said the court.

Mr Justice Raymond Pace ordered Ms Bugeja to pay Ms Cutajar €5,689.97 in damages.