Can I Claim Compensation For A Chemical Peel Gone Wrong?

Many people have chemical peels each year to improve the appearance of their skin. They are relatively straightforward procedures and most people are happy with the outcome. However, it is possible for negligent chemical peels to result in burning, skin discolouration and even permanent scarring. In some cases, victims of botched beauty treatments can claim compensation for their suffering. In this article on chemical peel claims, we’ll look at what you could be entitled to compensation for and what steps you need to take.

The easiest way to start a chemical peel compensation claim is to give us a call. Our team will review your claim and explain your legal options for free. If you decide to begin a claim and we think you’ve got a fair chance of being compensated, we’ll ask one of our personal injury solicitors to represent you. If they agree, you’ll benefit from their legal training and expertise on a No Win No Fee basis. That means that there’s no need to pay them before they start working on your claim. Furthermore, you won’t need to pay for their work if you aren’t paid any compensation.

If you would like to begin a claim right away, please call us on 0800 652 1345. If you’d like more information about claiming for chemical peel injuries before getting in touch, please continue reading.

What are chemical peels?

A chemical peel is where a solution is applied to the face (usually) to remove the top layers of the skin. The idea is that when the skin grows back, it is much smoother. It is a procedure that some use to remove scars, discolouration and wrinkles. There are three types of chemical peels:

• Light or superficial: the chemical solution is left on the skin for a few minutes to remove the epidermis (top layer of skin cells).
• Medium: Again, the solution is left on for a few minutes but the middle layer of skin cells is removed as well.
• Deep: Deep chemical peels might require a local anaesthetic to reduce the pain as the deeper layers of skin cells are removed.

Light or medium peels are usually temporary and might need to be repeated to maintain the effect. Deep chemical peels are more permanent and have a longer recovery period.

Can I claim compensation for being injured by a chemical peel?

Although chemical peels are not currently regulated in the UK, anybody offering the service will owe you a duty of care. This means they must use the correct procedures and equipment to try and keep you as safe as possible. If they fail to do so, you might have grounds to sue for any resulting injuries.

Chemical peel compensation claims are a form of personal injury claim. Our solicitors may agree to represent you if it can be proven that:

• The practitioner who treated you breached their duty of care; because
• They were negligent in some way; and
• You suffered injuries as a direct result of that negligence.

To prove what happened and how you were injured, you’ll need to supply some evidence. For that reason, we’ll explain what could be used later on in this article.

What can go wrong with chemical peels?

If a chemical peel isn’t carried out correctly, it could result in:

• Skin discolouration that might be permanent.
• Blistering of the skin.
• Swelling and reddening of the skin.
• Permanent or temporary facial scarring.
• A painful burning sensation.
• An allergic reaction to the chemicals used.
• Infections.
• Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH).
• Kidney, liver or heart damage in more serious cases.

There are many types of mistakes that can be made before, during or after a chemical peel treatment that could lead to compensation being paid. If you’d like to check if we could help you to seek damages, please call today.

What negligence in a chemical peel treatment could I be compensated for?

There are various reasons why you might be entitled to compensation for injuries sustained during a chemical peel. Some examples include:

• Where the practitioner had not been trained properly in chemical peel procedures.
• If you were not advised of the risks involved with the procedure.
• Where the chemicals used during your chemical peel were too strong for your skin type, condition and age.
• Where poor hygiene standards were maintained during treatment.
• If you were not asked to have a patch test 24 to 48 hours before your treatment.

It’s important to note that even if you signed a consent form or waiver prior to a chemical peel, you could still claim. These forms do not protect the practitioner if their negligence caused you to suffer. Instead, they usually explain that the risks associated with your treatment have been explained to you. As we’ll show later on, these forms could become proof in your case if the information in them was incorrect or misleading.

If you have any questions about chemical peel claims, please consider speaking to our team today.

How much compensation could I get for a chemical peel gone wrong?

If you are considering taking action, we should point out that there’s no set amount of compensation in chemical peel claims. Each claim is unique and any compensation will be based on a) your suffering (general damages) and b) any financial impact (special damages). Compensation for these damages is designed to restore you (as much as possible) to the position you were in before your chemical peel injuries. As such, you might be able to claim for any:

• Pain and suffering your physical injuries caused.
• Psychological harm caused by your injuries. This could manifest as embarrassment, anxiety or depression for example.
• Earnings you’ve lost or will lose in the future.
• Medical expenses including the cost of private medical treatment in some cases.
• Care costs if you needed support while you were injured.
• Travel expenses such as fuel, parking or public transport fares linked to your injuries.

Our solicitors understand the claims process in fine detail. If your chemical peel claim is accepted, your solicitor will review your case with you thoroughly before filing it. This is important because you can only make a single claim so everything needs to be included. Your solicitor will always try to secure the maximum amount of compensation possible for your suffering.

Please call 0800 652 1345 if you’d like to check what you could include in your chemical peel claim.

Providing proof for a chemical peel compensation claim

In any type of personal injury claim, it is imperative that you can provide proof to help show what went wrong, who caused you to suffer and what injuries were sustained.

In chemical peel claims, that could include:

• Correspondance. You should retain any emails or documents you received about your treatment and provide copies to your solicitor. You could also provide any pamphlets or leaflets about the treatment that you were given during the consultation.
• Salon details. It’s a good idea to find out the company that runs the beauty salon or establishment where you were treated. There should be a notice at the entrance or you’ll find details on your receipt. The name of the beautician who performed the chemical peel should also be recorded where possible.
• Photographic proof. To help demonstrate how seriously you were injured, you should take pictures of your visible injuries during your recovery.
• Witness information. If anybody else was present during your chemical peel consultation, with their permission, give their contact details to your solicitor. They may be able to provide a statement to corroborate what was discussed. Similarly, your solicitor may ask your friends or family to describe how your injuries have affected you.
• Consent forms. As mentioned previously, consent forms can be used as proof if they include mistakes, inaccurate or misleading information.
• A diary. Keeping a diary during your recovery could also be a useful exercise. This could make it easier to remember when you couldn’t work or had to miss social events because of your injuries. You could also keep a note of any expenses you incurred as well.

We offer a free claim consultation by phone to review any proof you’ve collected as part of your initial consultation. To see if you’ve collected enough information to begin a claim, arrange your consultation here.

Do I need to have a medical assessment?

When you claim damages for a chemical peel gone wrong, the process dictates that you might need to be assessed by an independent medical expert. This isn’t something you need to be concerned about as the process is quite straightforward. Your solicitor will usually try to arrange a local appointment for you to see an independent specialist.

During your meeting, the specialist will review your medical notes and talk with you about the impact your injuries had. They’ll also examine the current state of your injuries. Once the meeting has ended, they’ll send a report to everybody involved in the chemical peel claim that lists your injuries and explains your prognosis.

Time limits for chemical peel claims

If you decide to sue for compensation following negligence during a chemical peel, you’ll need to act within the 3-year personal injury claims time limit. This will usually commence from the date you were treated.

Your solicitor will need time to gather evidence and to arrange for medical reports to be produced. As such, it’s a good idea to take action sooner rather than later. In some cases, if your injuries are still causing problems, your solicitor could ask the defendant to provide an interim payment for private medical treatment. This might be possible if liability has been confirmed but the final compensation amount hasn’t yet been agreed upon.

In our experience, very few claims (less than 5%) need to go to court to be settled. Generally, beauty treatment type claims are settled amicably between your solicitor and the defendant’s insurance company.

No Win No Fee chemical peel claims

If you let a personal injury solicitor represent you, we believe you’ll have a better chance of a) winning your claim and b) receiving the right level of compensation. We understand that some claimants are put off from hiring a solicitor, though, because they’re afraid of losing money. For that reason, our team of solicitors offer a No Win No Fee service for any claim they accept.

As a result, you won’t be asked to pay any solicitors fees unless you are compensated should you be taken on as a client. If that happens, you’ll be sent a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA) by your solicitor. Once signed, they can begin working on your case straight away. During the claims process they will:

• Assess how you’ve suffered by discussing your claim in detail.
• Collect evidence to support your allegations.
• Arrange (if required) for a medical assessment.
• File the claim with the beauty salon or their insurer.
• Take on responsibility for all communication so you don’t need to answer any legal or medical questions.
• Answer any queries that you think of during the claim.
• Provide regular updates.
• Let you know about any settlement offers that are sent from the defendant.

If your claim is settled and you’re paid compensation, your solicitor will deduct a success fee from it. This is an agreed percentage of your settlement to cover the solicitor’s work and expenses. The fee you’ll pay is listed in the CFA. Legally, it cannot be any more than 25% of your compensation.

To check if you could claim on a No Win No Fee basis, please contact our team today.

Start a chemical peel compensation claim today

One quick call to our professional advisors might be all it takes to start your claim. There’s nothing to lose by calling us on 0800 652 1345 as your case will be reviewed for free and you’ll be given legal advice about your options whatever you decide to do.

If you are taken on by one of our solicitors, they’ll work for you on a No Win No Fee basis. Knowing that you won’t have to pay them unless you’re compensated should make the process a lot less stressful.

Thanks for reading our article on chemical peel claims, and please use live chat to get in touch if you have further questions.