Laser Hair Removal Burn Injury Lawsuits Florida
Vero Beach, FL
In recent years, laser hair removal treatment has become more popular. This is especially true in beach areas like Florida’s Treasure Coast, where residents might spend a good portion of the year in a swimsuit. While laser hair removal treatments are a popular option at medical spas (medi spas), they aren’t necessarily as safe as you might believe.
Laser hair removal works by using a laser to damage hair follicles, which inhibits hair growth. When done properly, it can be safe and effective. Unfortunately, laser hair removal is often performed by staff who might not have the necessary licensure or who are licensed but perform the procedure carelessly, leading to burns and scarring. Our Florida personal injury attorneys can help you pursue a legal claim against the provider, the spa, and any other party who may be responsible for your injuries.
Based in Vero Beach, Gould Cooksey Fennell represents injury victims throughout the Treasure Coast who have suffered injuries due to the negligence or carelessness of others. We handle all personal injury claims on a contingency fee basis, which means that you’ll never be charged a fee unless we recover money for you. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Vero Beach burn injury lawyer, contact our law firm today.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
If you have ever visited a spa, you might have seen advertisements for laser hair removal. The thought can be enticing – a simple procedure that can eliminate or reduce the need to shave. Before getting this treatment, however, it is important to understand how it works and the risks that are associated with laser hair removal.
This procedure involves using a laser, or a concentrated beam of light, to remove unwanted hair. It can be performed on almost any part of the body, other than more delicate skin and skin with tattoos. Most often, people choose to have laser hair removal done on their armpits, bikini line, legs, upper lip, and chin.
When the laser is directed towards the skin, melanin absorbs the light and converts it to heat. This heat damages the hair follicles in the skin that produce hair. This can slow down or delay future hair growth.
Laser hair removal is not usually permanent. Instead, you will typically need multiple sessions to remove hair initially and then ongoing maintenance sessions. It is most effective for people who have darker hair and lighter skin tones.
While laser hair removal is generally safe, there are possible side effects. The skill of the technician, the treatment plan, and a person’s skin type and hair color can all impact potential side effects. They include:
- Redness, swelling, and pain, which usually will go away within a day or two of the procedure;
- Pigment changes, such as darkening or lightening of the skin. This happens more frequently for people who have darker skin or who do not avoid sun exposure directly before or after a laser hair removal treatment;
- Burns, which can cause blistering, scarring, and other changes in skin texture;
- Excessive hair growth around treated areas; and/or
- Graying of treated hair.
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Most often, laser hair removal burns are first-degree (superficial) burns, which are the least serious type of burn. These burns can often be treated at home and will improve within a week or two.
In some cases, however, an electrologist or medical professional may cause more serious second or third-degree burns. These burns penetrate past the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) into the second layer (dermis) and third layer (hypodermis) of the skin. These burns can lead to scarring, pain, infection, and other potential complications.
Overall, laser hair removal treatment can be safe if it is properly performed by a licensed professional. Unfortunately, it isn’t always performed as it should be, which can cause serious burns, scars, and other issues. If you suffered a laser hair removal burn, our Vero Beach personal injury attorneys may be able to help you recover compensation for your losses.
Can You File a Lawsuit If You Were Burned?
If you suffered a laser hair removal burn, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the spa and/or the person who caused the burns. These claims are usually based on a theory of negligence, which is a form of carelessness.
A person is negligent when they fail to use the level of care that a reasonable person would use in a similar situation. A laser hair removal technician or a medical professional may negligently cause burns by:
- Setting the machine at the wrong frequency;
- Allowing an untrained employee to operate the machine;
- Scheduling laser hair removal sessions too frequently;
- Failing to perform a patch test or ask about allergies or other sensitivities;
- Failing to appropriately train employees on the use of the machine;
- Directing the laser at an area of the skin for too long; and/or
- Failing to fix or replace faulty equipment.
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In Florida, a person must obtain a license to work as an electrologist. Only Certified Medical Electrologists (CME) or a licensed medical professional (such as a doctor, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant)Â can perform laser and light-based hair removal. If a medical spa allows an unlicensed person to perform laser hair removal on clients, it is considered a form of negligence – or even intentional or reckless conduct.
If you are burned by a laser hair removal treatment, you may be able to pursue financial compensation from the at-fault party or parties. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to 3 types of damages:
- Economic damages pay for your direct losses, such as lost wages, medical bills, and future medical treatment.
- Non-economic damages pay for intangible losses, including pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress, scarring, and disfigurement.
- Punitive damages may be awarded to punish a wrongdoer in cases where the at-fault party acted intentionally or recklessly. They are not available in regular negligence cases.
In laser hair removal lawsuits, non-economic damages are particularly important. A person might not need extensive medical treatment or time off work after a laser hair burn. However, they might have permanent scarring that affects them for the rest of their lives. This can often increase the value of a claim, particularly when the scarring is on an obvious area (such as the face) or when a younger woman is affected.
Punitive damages are only awarded in cases involving intentional or reckless behavior. For example, in a laser hair removal burn lawsuit, a medical spa could potentially be liable for punitive damages if they are offering the treatment without the appropriate licensure. In Florida, punitive damages are capped at the greater of $500,000 or 3 times compensatory (economic plus non-economic) damages.
If you were burned by a laser hair removal treatment, you should reach out to our law offices to schedule a free initial consultation. We will listen to your story, review any paperwork that you bring, and then offer you advice on your options for pursuing a claim. We will also give you a ballpark estimate of the value of your case.
If you decide to move forward with a lawsuit, our Vero Beach personal injury lawyers will start building a case against the at-fault technician or medical professional. We will interview witnesses, request treatment records, check for the appropriate licenses, and review your medical records. We will also research Florida law to build strong legal support for your claim.
If the at-fault technician is a licensed medical professional, we will follow the correct procedures for filing a Florida medical malpractice lawsuit. Otherwise, we will move forward with a personal injury claim against the spa, the employee, and any other responsible parties.Â
It is often necessary to file a lawsuit to protect your legal rights. This does not mean that your case will go to trial. In reality, the majority of personal injury claims are resolved outside of court.
Our team of experienced Florida burn injury lawyers will send a demand letter to the at-fault party’s insurance company. We will then attempt to negotiate a settlement that includes money for all of your losses, including your non-economic damages. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we will take your case to trial to get you the money that you deserve.
In each case, our goal is to get you maximum compensation for your losses. We won’t back down from a fight, and we won’t rest until we get you top dollar for your injuries. If you have suffered a laser hair removal burn, you can count on our law firm to get justice for you.
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Help for Victims of Laser Hair Removal Burns
When performed properly, laser hair removal can be safe and effective. When done incorrectly, it can lead to burns that cause scarring, disfigurement, and serious pain. If you have been injured by laser hair removal treatment, we will fight for your right to full compensation.
Gould Cooksey Fennell represents victims of negligence and medical malpractice throughout Florida’s Treasure Coast. We know that laser hair removal burns can be painful and lead to long-term issues. We will work to help you get the money that you deserve for your losses. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation with a Florida burn injury attorney, give us a call at 772-758-8756 or fill out our online contact form.
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