A hair salon caused serious damage to my hair and scalp. What can I do to sue them?

According to UAE law, salons are required to follow certain standards and regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of their clients.

This includes conducting proper consultations, performing strand tests, and obtaining consent before using any chemical treatments.

In your case, it seems that the salon did not follow these standards and, as a result, caused damage to your hair and scalp.

This can be considered a breach of their duty of care towards you as a client. You have the right to seek compensation for the damages caused to you.

The first step would be to file a complaint with the salon and request compensation. You can also provide them with evidence such as photos and messages to support your claim.

If the salon does not respond or refuses to compensate you, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Department of the Ministry of Economy.

They will investigate the matter and may mediate a resolution between you and the salon.

If mediation is unsuccessful, you can consider taking legal action by filing a civil case against the salon. You will need to hire a lawyer to assist you with this process.

The court may order the salon to compensate you for the damages caused, including any medical expenses and emotional distress.

It is important to note that there is a time limit for filing a civil case in the UAE, so it is advisable to take action as soon as possible.

In addition, you can also report the incident to the Dubai Municipality's Health and Safety Department, as they are responsible for regulating and inspecting.

Under UAE law, your case falls under Federal Law No. 24 of 2006 on Consumer Protection and Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 (Civil Transactions Law), which protect consumers from negligence and grants the right to claim compensation for damages caused by service providers.

The salon’s application of two rounds of bleach without consent, strand testing, or proper consultation — especially during pregnancy — may constitute negligence, entitling you to file a complaint with the Department of Economy and Tourism (or local municipality) and pursue a civil claim for compensation for physical harm, emotional distress, and medical expenses.

Supporting evidence such as photos, messages, and a medical report will strengthen your case legally.

Thank You

Dear Inquirer

We are pleased to serve you and address your inquiries.

You must prove the damages with medical reports in order to take legal action.

Contact us via email or call our offices in Dubai or Sharjah.

Jasim Al Haddad Advocates & Legal Consultants

Thank you for sharing the details of your situation.

Under consumer protection laws, you have the right to receive services that are safe and as described.

The salon’s failure to follow proper procedures, including conducting a strand test or obtaining proper consent, could potentially be a breach of these rights, especially given the physical and emotional distress you’ve experienced.

We can help you explore your legal options, including pursuing compensation for the damages caused. Please share your contact number, and we can discuss the best course of action for your case.

Best regards,

Khadeeja Raifa

Senior legal advisor

Dr. Alaa Nasr

Legal Consultant

Dear Questioner,

Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing the details of your distressing experience.

We understand the physical, emotional, and financial distress caused by the hair and scalp damage you’ve suffered, especially during pregnancy. Please find below the possible legal routes and steps you can take in this case.

1. Legal Basis for Claim

You have the potential to pursue both civil and consumer protection claims against the salon under the following grounds:

Negligence: The salon failed to properly consult and obtain your consent before applying harsh treatments, such as the two rounds of bleach, which were not what you booked for.

They also failed to conduct a strand test, which is essential for a safe and informed service.

Breach of Consumer Rights: Under UAE law, consumers have the right to expect services to be performed in a manner that does not harm them physically or mentally.

The salon’s failure to ensure proper care or communicate about the treatments could be seen as a breach of these rights.

Emotional and Physical Distress: As you mentioned, you are experiencing significant distress due to the hair breakage, daily hair loss, and scalp irritation, which is especially concerning during your pregnancy.

These are legitimate grounds for seeking compensation for both physical harm and emotional distress.

2. Next Steps for Legal Action

To proceed with the case, here’s the typical process:

Gather Evidence: Ensure you have all documentation related to the incident, including:

- Photos of the damage

- Messages and communication with the salon

- Your booking details and confirmation

- Any medical records (if you’ve sought treatment for your scalp/hair issues)

Send a Formal Legal Notice: Before escalating to court, we can send a formal legal notice to the salon, demanding compensation and requesting them to take responsibility for the damage.

This notice often encourages the business to settle without the need for court involvement.

File a Complaint with the Consumer Protection Department: If the salon does not respond to the legal notice, we can file a formal complaint with the UAE Consumer Protection Department, which could result in regulatory actions against the salon.

Pursuing a Civil Case for Compensation: If the situation remains unresolved, we can assist you in filing a civil lawsuit for compensation due to negligence, including the physical harm to your hair and scalp, and the emotional distress caused.

How We Can Help:

- Our legal team can support you with:

- Reviewing your case and gathering the necessary documents

- Drafting and sending a legal notice to the salon

- Representing you in filing complaints with consumer protection authorities or pursuing a civil lawsuit for compensation

Please feel free to share your documents and evidence, and we can advise you on the next steps in detail.

Kind regards,

Mohammed Salah

Legal Consultant

Dear Inquirer,

Thank you for reaching out.

Given the physical and emotional harm you've experienced, especially during pregnancy, and the salon's lack of response, you may have valid grounds to pursue legal action for negligence and compensation under UAE consumer protection and civil liability laws.

Since you’ve documented the incident thoroughly, this strengthens your case significantly.

We recommend scheduling a legal consultation to assess your situation in detail and explore the best course of action, which may include filing a formal complaint and initiating a civil claim.

Please book a consultation with Future Vision for Advocacy and Legal Consultancy to proceed with the necessary legal steps.

We’re here to support you.

Best regards.

Dear Client,

You have strong legal grounds to pursue compensation for the damage caused by the salon. UAE law recognizes your right to claim against a beauty salon for negligence if you can prove the salon breached its duty of care, resulting in physical and emotional harm.

You have already documented the injuries and attempted to resolve the matter directly, which strengthens your case.

Recommended next steps:

- Obtain a medical report detailing your injuries and ongoing symptoms.

- File a complaint with the Department of Economic Development (DED) or Consumer Protection.

- Consider a civil claim for compensation, including for physical, emotional, and financial damages.

Legal action can be taken even if the salon ignores your communication, and compensation may include both actual expenses and moral damages.

We can assist you with case assessment, preparing your claim, and representing you through the legal process to help secure fair compensation.

According to the UAE Consumer Protection Law (Federal Law No. 15 of 2020):

You have the right to have substantial defects repaired free of charge if they appear within the warranty period, even if they were not stated in writing at the time of sale.

The warranty period may not be tied to the purchase of additional service agreements; this is considered an unfair commercial practice.

The "no return" policy does not waive your rights if fraud or misrepresentation is proven in the sale.

Don't rely solely on verbal information; rely on technical reports and the law.

If you would like, I can help you draft a formal complaint. Please contact us via phone or WhatsApp.

Hello,

In the UAE, consumer protection is governed by the Dubai Economy (DED), which handles complaints regarding service providers, including salons.

You can file a complaint through their Consumer Protection platform or directly via their customer service number.

If your complaint is valid, the DED will likely intervene and mediate between you and the salon.