Suing the stylist, how to do it?

Several times the topic of whether or not to sue a stylist who has damaged your hair has been discussed. I am of the opinion that stylists who are negligent with your hair or deliberately go against your wishes, resulting in damage to your hair or way of wearing your hair should be sued, in order to establish some precedents that these people cannot just play around with your hair and use you but that they must respect your body. My question is, however, if a stylist cut off much more than you asked, how would you prove that in court? How would the judge know that you were really shorn, and did not just cut your hair in order to get money?

Have there been any legal cases in which someone won a lawsuit like this? What was the argument/proof?

I was just wondering if anyone knew of cases, Katherine. I think there was one in Sweden where a man won a case where someone had wrecked his long har. However, I am not sure if a stylist was involved or not.

Around 1974, my mother got a then-fashionable afro perm. The solution apparently was left on too long, and her hair was fried. I think one of her colleagues advised mom to sue, which she however did not.

By the way, Katherine, I must say I really like the braided bun in your avatar. Very classy.

I have a question for you ladies.  I recently had a girl come to my house to put in extensions and they were horrible.  I'm a black woman and my hair is natural...no chemicals whatsoever because I had chemo and now I have this baby soft wavy/curly hair that I refuse to damage with chemicals... anyway. I asked for wavy hair, she shows up at my house with straight hair stating that they didn't have wavy hair in the length I desired.  I'm thinking she could've called and told me this.  But she said that in her experience the hair waves up a bit so I let her put them in.  Of course she flat ironed my hair first and I told her my hair didn't hold heat well.....anyway it flat ironed ok but i told her again that my hair didn't hold heat well.  When she finished it looked nice.  Then I turned on the shower.....had to go out and show off my new do!  The steam from the shower hit my hair (not even in the shower yet mind you) and there  went my natural hair back to its original state.  I immediately called the stylist and informed her what happened  since she hadn't been gone 15 minutes.  She told me to try and work with it...you know keep flat ironing my hair daily!  I told her this was not going to work, the whole point was less maintenance.  She said she would re-do it.  I put a stop payment on the check, because I didn't want to pay until the finished product. 

She pressed charges, we talked it out, she promised to re-do my hair, gave her another check, made an appointment for he rto come to my house again, didn't happen, tried to contact, no luck. Finally threatened to take her to court, she called back saying no refunds!  Is this automatically assumed?  I feel that since it was never discussed then I'm entitled.  I'm even willing to compromise...either she comes and redoes it or at least give me 50% of my money back.  Her salon manage refuses to compromise on the money and won't allow her to come to my house to redo my hair, wants me to drive an hour to the salon!!!!!

Do I have a case for court?  What should I do?  Please give me some advice!!!

Coolaz has a very good case.  I don't blame you for being upset and stopping payment.  But let me add this........

Since we all have mishaps, weather it be a bad car mechanic or a bridal dress, we should look for the discoveries in the situation.

The number one thing to learn from this and I want everyone to listen...................NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER allow a stylist, beauty school student, former hairstylist of anyone for that matter come to your house or go to their home for some "under the table" hairstyling.   This is why state boards are in place to protect you the consumer from damages.  In this industry we call these underhanded stylist "Kitchen Witches".  We usually are the ones repairing their damage to your hair. They attempt to do hair at home and when the mess up, there is nothing to protect you the consumer from their damages except a lawsuit.  Then the "stylist" does not have the insurance to cover the lawsuit and lose thier house, car, investments,everything.  The whole thing is a bad idea.  You may think "it's a good deal"  but think again.  They just hurt everyone involved.  I've seen it happen WAY too many times.

Cool, I would advise you to also find out where she works (salon) if she is working in a salon, and report her to the owner.  The owner would like to know so that she would not be messing up someone else that may walk in to the salon.   

Second, I would contact the State Board in your state about this girl. You can find this usually in the state capitols yellow pages or ask any licensed stylist, they can tell you because the number and address should be listed on their framed license.

I hope you win this case.  This girl has no business touching hair.

Take care!! And I pray that you licked that cancer!

Since receiving my terrible extension job on my birthday 9/23/10, this is my third night of being unable to sleep throughout the night due to the pain my extensions are causing me. I had to get up and get some Ibuprofen to ease the tension on my head. Kim told me they wouldn