Laser Hair Removal Burns and Injuries: Can You Sue?

Laser hair removal is one of the fastest-growing cosmetic procedures in America.

There was a time when people thought of these as strictly medical procedures — the type of thing you’d see a doctor in a clinic for. Increasingly, though, laser hair removal has emerged a commercial service.

Numerous hair salons and spas now offer laser hair removal as part of their service menus, usually targeting hair on the chin and upper lip. Small streams of light, practically invisible, are used to overheat and destroy tiny hair follicles so that hairs don’t grow back.

That sounds convenient, but what happens when something goes wrong?

Unfortunately, things do go wrong. As laser hair removal becomes popular in Florida, the number of lawsuits related to clinician error is on the rise. So is it medical malpractice? In other words, can you sue?

Common Laser Hair Removal Injuries

Just imagine the horror of walking into your favorite spa for a quick rejuvenation and walking away with a painful or disfiguring injury.

The risks of routine spa procedures run the gamut from serious to mild. Common laser hair removal injuries include:

• Blistering
• Lingering redness
• Painful sores
• Second-degree burns
• Third-degree burns
• Blood loss
• Shock
• Infection
• Damage to internal organs or bones
• Wounds that don’t heal

In addition to physical pain, facial disfigurement can also cause profound emotional distress and may impact one’s personal and professional lives. In some cases, skin grafting or other extensive corrective procedures are required.

Who Do You Sue?

The fact that non-doctors are lawfully performing these procedures in non-medical settings does not change the fact that there are serious, inherent dangers in laser hair removal. In fact, as these procedures become more common among clinicians rather than physicians, serious errors are even more likely to happen.

Currently, each state enacts its own rules about who can carry out these procedures and under which standards. The FDA is considering a federal policy to help rectify some of the inconsistencies. As a general matter, wherever you have the procedure done, you are entitled to safe and responsible care.

Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of laser hair removal burns and injuries happen because of technician error.

Defendants in these cases might include:

• The technician
• The technician’s employer
• The owner of the spa or treatment facility
• Any doctor responsible for overseeing the procedure
• The device’s manufacturers
• Others

Injured? Talk to Our Attorneys Right Away

If you’ve been injured in a laser hair removal procedure in Florida, you aren’t alone. Even if your injury happened in a spa and didn’t involve a doctor or any other medical professional, the experienced Miami medical malpractice attorneys at Kaire & Heffernan, LLC can help.

The law on laser technician liability is still evolving, but this much is clear: victims do have rights. With years of experience in complex personal injury and medical malpractice claims, our team is well equipped to get you the compensation you deserve. Call our office now to learn more.

Mark Kaire

Mark Kaire has been practicing law in Miami for nearly 15 years. He is dedicated to helping the injured people of Miami receive compensation. Mr. Kaire has been blogging on Miami’s legal issues for 4 years.