Personal injury

giseva

Hi all,

I'm wondering what course of action to take, if any, in relation to an injury I sustained during a recent trip to the barbers.

I had my ear scissored by about 1cm in length. Thankfully the "barber" didn't follow through the whole way and fully close the scissors, which would have removed the top part of my ear.

How or why this barber was at the side of my head around the ear with a scissors I still do not know. I'm a razor back and sides customer and clearly explained to the barber what I wanted. This was my second time in this shop, but the first time with this guy.

I winced when it happened and was expecting the haircut to stop. This guy continued as blood started to roll down the side of my ear and neck. He had overly sprayed water all over my head prior to cutting me, and my neck and head were already wet so I didn't cop that it was blood on my neck at first.

I don't know if this guy was a trainee or just incompetent but he was all over the place. What seemed like ages passed before he said "oh did I get you?"

I turned my head, saw the blood and responded with "get me? Is my ear still there?

I was shocked but remained calm and polite. He then proceeded to go between dabbing my ear and cutting my hair.

In short, he gave me a poxy haircut. I left with hair longer over my ears than the length half way up my head, even after I asked him to rectify it.

I just wanted to get out of the place at that stage. This lad was in his 30s, holding the scissors in a manner I've not seen before, and seemed completely unsure of what he was at both before and after going at my ear.

I was expecting a sincere apology, he did say sorry about the ear but this guy seemed to think it was quite funny.

There was another barber present who didn't say a word but sat on his phone throughout.

I was charged the full €18 for a shite haircut and getting hurt, and I was given two blue finger plasters. I'd to go across to a shop to get a bandage.

"Sorry about the ear, have a great weekend" he says.....it was a Monday morning.

I've never went down a personal injury route as nothing like this has happened to me before now.

This has really pissed me off. The attitude I got of this guy is that he didn't care at all. A nick with a scissors and an apology is one thing, this guy cut through the top of my ear and pretty much shrugged it off.

If he was a trainee, then he had no business twirling a scissors like a baton. If he was an experienced barber, well that's even more worrying.

My ear is killing me now and I've no idea what it will look like if or when it heals.

Should I pursue an injury claim against this guy, or his employer, or just move on?

jimmycrackcorm

Did you go to the doctor or the hospital. I accidentally had my ear sliced and had to get stiches. Repaired and no sign of injury now. What do you have?

giseva

I just had herself take a few pictures of it when I got home yesterday. I haven't yet gone to the doctor yet. I went from a bandage to using smaller plasters. It was bleeding again this morning.

JustAsking2022

Did you lodge a complaint at the time? Or have you addressed the situation with the business by way of a follow up call or mail?

giseva

They have an unused FB page, that's about it. There's a mobile number but for all I know that belongs to scissors hands himself.

The other barber present had cut my hair previously and I was thinking if he was the owner. He didn't say anything and possibly didn't want to get involved.

I think the practice is that barbers rent chairs in the shop, though I'm not sure what the case is here.

I didn't demand to speak to the manager or anything like that but I was a bit in shock I suppose and just wanted to get out and get home to inspect the damage.

One eyed Jack

Should I pursue an injury claim against this guy, or his employer, or just move on?

I know it sounds like I’m suggesting letting them get away with it but in that situation I’d just move on, never go near them again. You’d be likely to feel just as fleeced when you’d receive the bill for a personal injury solicitors time and expertise. I’d put it down to a lesson learned and you’re obviously not going to be availing of the services of that particular establishment again.

Oscar_Madison

My first port of call is obtain a medical assessment of the ear, not for any litigation reasons just purely to ensure it will heal well and won’t get infected - sepsis and all of that .

After that - there might be a health and safety issue here - check online on public health or HSE website - if proper procedure was t followed when a customer received an injury they may wish to have a word with these fly by nights.

Finally a solicitor will advise on likelihood of success costs and rewards - assuming injury is very minor and will totally heal I would doubt its worth taking a case - but you raise an interesting point. Research on people taking or not taking legal cases in these circumstances often depends on whether the company who made the mistake treats the customer well at the time of occursnce - the better their looked after as a result of their slips or trips etc the less inclined the person is to sue for damages- assuming it’s a relatively minor incident
so it doesn’t surprise me you’re thinking this way - appallingly treated is probably an accurate description - but I’d put energy first into looking after that cut with proper medical guidance , checking out any public health information centre and considering making a complaint to them -then if out of pocket (doctors bills, prescription cream etc) consider handing that bill to the barbers.

Personally I wouldn’t have given them a dime for the haircut

Raichų

I’d be advising rather than waste time and energy on a personal Injury claim I would be looking to (at least in the first instance) discuss with the manager or owner of the business.

JameGrooms

A similar situation happened to me when I visited a new barber and left with more than just a bad haircut—I ended up with a small scar above my ear after a slip with the razor. Like you, I was shocked at how casual the barber's reaction was. I didn’t pursue anything legally at the time and regretted it later because it continued to bother me.

Based on my experience, it’s definitely worth looking into an injury claim, especially since it sounds like this barber’s carelessness caused you real pain and could leave a permanent mark. Consulting an experienced professional can make a huge difference. Even though I’m not in the U.S., I've heard about Tulsa Personal Injury Attorney and how they handle cases with attention and care, so finding someone similar in your area might be a great step.