What can I do after getting an infection at a nail salon? How?

Every claim or law suit has two basic elements: Liability (fault) and damages (how much). Many times a person may have a good claim but the damages are insufficient to interest a lawyer in taking your case. If the damages are modest you may wish to sue in Small Claims Court, where no lawyers are allowed and the damages are limited to $10,000.

Take care of your medical issues. Make a demand in writing for a specified amount of compensation mindful that you can sue the salon for up to $10,000 in Small Claims Court.

Normally, the people who work at beauty salons are independent contractors so the owner may say that you have to deal directly with the woman giving you the pedicure. Talk to that woman and see if she has any type of insurance coverage and if she will pay your medical bills and something for your inconvenience and pain and suffering. Once you resolve that, report her to the local health services because using unclean equipment is common and you should try to help.

You can consult an experienced personal injury lawyer about making a claim and, if necessary, suing the shop.

It depends on whether you can prove the nail salon and/or its employee were negligent. It would probably take the opinion of another nail salon or a Dr. to prove that. If your injuries and monetary damages are slight, you might be able to get away without such an expert in Small Claims Court. Consider consulting an experienced injury lawyer. Good luck.

You can tact them to small claims.

You should fight any infection to minimize your loss. Unless you develop a life threatening sepsis, or lose a toe or more to necrosis and amputation, I don't think we could offer a contingent fee retainer to pursue the case. The costs of experts and pre-trial paperwork and depositions, we would not be able to accept your case. I suggest you write a letter to the salon telling them you will get an attorney to sue them if they don't have their insurance company call you to get your medical bills paid within 10 days. At the same time, write a complaint letter to the Montana State Board of Cosmetology. They won't do much unless there have been prior complaints but it is the best you can reasonably do. Please check with other attorneys to see if they have any ideas of what they can do. Thank you for checking with me.

See a lawyer in your area who is willing to deal with the nail salon's liability company on your behalf.