We New Yorkers love our beauty. It seems we can’t walk a block in New York City without stumbling upon a health, beauty, or wellness spa, and while staying at the top of our game is admirable, many of the services offered to help us look and feel our best carry safety risks. A simple mani pedi, for example, can put you at risk for infection. In Indiana, several nail salons were fined and placed on probation after a man had to have his leg amputated following a pedicure and a woman landed in the ER due to a severe infection she allegedly contracted from an unclean tub or tool.

While hygiene issues abound in nail salons, some of the beauty secrets that have emerged on the market more recently carry even greater dangers. Botox, for example, is made from botulinum, the most acutely lethal toxin known to man and the bacteria that causes botulism, a deadly disease. Colon cleansing can cause serious conditions including pancreatitis, bowel perforation, and heart failure. IV lounge patrons could suffer an immediate stroke if the medical assistants or phlebotomist improperly inserts their IV, causing an air embolism. 

In many of these situations, especially those where treatments are administered by or under the supervision of a medical professional, you may have to sign a waiver. Regardless, if you have suffered pain, sickness, or disfiguration from a beauty or wellness endeavor that went awry, the provider may be liable. Even if you did sign a waiver, it is wise to speak with an attorney. You may be able to recover damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. You may also be able to put a stop to reckless conditions that could put other patrons at risk in the future.