Body Piercing Compensation Claims

Body piercing claims are a type of personal injury claim made when someone suffers harm due to poor hygiene, lack of training, or general negligence during a piercing procedure.

Most people get piercings without any problems, but when things do go wrong, they can go very wrong. We’re talking serious infections, nerve damage, allergic reactions, scarring, and in some cases, permanent disfigurement.

These claims typically apply when:

• The piercer didn’t follow proper hygiene standards
• The equipment wasn’t sterile or safe
• You weren’t given the right aftercare advice
• The piercing caused physical or psychological harm

Body piercing always comes with some risks, but the degree of these risks depends on the site where you have pierced and whether the studio is reputable. All studios should understand what could go wrong with piercings and ensure customers have the safest possible experience.

While traditional ear lobe piercing rarely causes complications, cartilage piercing is more challenging. Not only is it painful, but there’s also a higher chance of infections—and these infections can cause ongoing complications.

The main concern is that infected ear cartilage piercings are harder to treat, and there’s a risk that pus will become stuck under the person’s cartilage. Severe infections might require an operation, and deformities can occur.

Nose piercings are also popular, but they come with some risks. The shape of someone’s nose and the location of the piercing can cause challenges, but an experienced professional should be able to spot these risks.

Inexperienced piercers can cause severe damage to areas like the septril, can be riskier and lead to infections.

While tongue piercings are less popular due to the pain, they carry much lower risks of infection than other types. However, the tongue is full of nerves, and there’s always the possibility of damage when the piercing studio doesn’t take the necessary precautions.

So, while infected piercings are rare, the chances of ongoing nerve damage are higher, which can lead to various complications.

Nipple and genital piercings have become increasingly popular in recent years, but opting for intimate areas can increase the risks of infection. Genital piercings can be especially risky due to toileting and sexual activity.

If you develop an infection in an intimate area, it can be excruciating, and you might even need surgery in extreme cases.

Who you file a claim against depends on where you had the piercing and who performed it. In most cases, your claim will be against one of the following:

• Piercing Studios or Salons: If a business doesn’t implement proper health and safety standards or has untrained professionals, your claim will usually be against the owner.
• Professional Piercers: Many piercers choose to work freelance, and clients might be able to file a direct personal injury claim against them.
• Beauty Salons and Tattoo Parlours: It’s common for beauty salons and tattoo parlours to also offer piercings, and they can be subject to negligence claims when customers suffer injuries and infections.

The majority of piercing claims will go through the company’s or piercer’s insurance provider.

The criteria for all body piercing compensation claims is an ability to prove negligence. When making botched body piercing claims, your personal injury solicitor will need to establish:

1. The body piercer or company had a duty of care to you.
2. They behaved negligently either before, during, or after your piercing.
3. This negligence resulted in an injury.

It’s important to remember that body piercing laws in the UK require all professionals to have licenses and register with their local authorities (House of Commons Library). Piercers should also adhere to COSHH regulations.

If you’d like to claim body piercing injury compensation, the first step is to determine your eligibility. Calling 0800 234 6438 or using the online form means that you can get free advice from a legal specialist who will assess your claim and decide whether there was negligence.

They’ll then connect you with a solicitor who will help you claim on a no win no fee basis.

No win no fee solicitors are popular ways to seek compensation in the UK, as they don’t have any upfront fees. Instead, the solicitor will only receive a payment if they successfully secure compensation on your behalf.

So, even if your case isn’t successful, you won’t deal with any financial risks. In contrast, traditional solicitors work on an hourly fee basis, and you’ll need to pay legal fees, even if they don’t win your case.

There are different degrees of body piercing negligence, and the amount of compensation your claim is worth depends on the general and special damage components. General damages account for your loss of amenity (pain and suffering), while special damages cover any financial losses.

It’s essential to remember that all body piercings come with some infection risks, and failing to follow aftercare instructions won’t make you eligible for compensation.

The following figures are based on previous cases and are estimates only. If you’d like to get a more accurate estimate, you can use a compensation calculator or speak to your solicitor.

When making a body piercing compensation claim, you must provide evidence proving negligence. Your solicitor will collect evidence, but you can speed proceedings along by gathering available proof and keeping detailed records. The most important evidence includes:

• Medical Records: Most people will see their GP or go to a hospital when they suffer an infection, and the negligent party’s insurance company will want to see details of your medical records.
• Photographs: Taking clear pictures of the piercing site provides visual evidence of your piercing, including any allergic reactions, scars, and infections.
• Witnesses: Accounts from anyone who was with you during the piercing procedure or who observed your injuries and their impact afterwards.
• Communication: Keep records of appointment confirmations, letters, texts and correspondence from the body piercing studio regarding your injury.
• Experts: Your solicitor and the negligent party’s insurance company might ask you to attend an independent medical assessment, which can verify your injuries and their extent on your life.
• Finances: You’ll also need to keep detailed receipts and financial records detailing any losses or expenses resulting from your injury.

There’s no excuse for negligence during body piercing procedures, and you have every right to hold the negligent party accountable. To get the ball rolling on your compensation claim, please call 0800 234 6438 today or use the online form, and a legal advisor will get back to you.

Once you receive a settlement, you can use the money for a range of purposes, including cosmetic treatments, counselling, replacing lost earnings and anything else you need.

The general time limit for personal injury claims is three years from the date of your injury, but the laws are different for children. Many teenagers get body piercings, with the ears and belly button being the most popular places.

People under 18 can’t make a claim, but if someone underage suffers an injury due to negligent body piercing services, they’ll have three years from the date they turn 18 to file a claim.

While three years seems like a long time, it’s essential to remember that your claim can take a while to settle. Filing for compensation as soon as possible means your solicitor will have plenty of time to secure a payment.

There is no set time for your claim to settle, as it depends on whether both parties can reach an agreement.

Minor injuries are worth less money, and they’re usually easier to settle, but severe injuries can take more time, as the insurance company will want to verify the long-term impact of your infection or disfigurement.

Your solicitor will attempt to close the case as soon as possible, but their main goal is to secure the maximum compensation possible. While it’s rare, some cases might end up in court, but your solicitor will try to avoid proceedings and act on your instructions.

Most piercing shops will let children and teenagers get piercings as long as they have parental consent. This includes ear, belly, eyebrow, and lip piercings.

However, there are restrictions for intimate piercings, including genitalia and nipples. Many salons will have age requirements in place to protect them.