Beauty Parlor Stroke

In January 2014, Elizabeth Smith had a stroke caused by a visit to the hair salon. A CT scan revealed that an artery in her neck had been damaged by a shampoo chair and sink at Blowbunny in San Diego. She filed suit against in December 2015.
This kind of stroke is possible because
the arteries in their neck can get cut or torn due to hyperextension or any whiplash-type motions while someone's hair is getting shampooed. The damage of the inside of the blood vessel leads to abnormal flow and clotting, and then those clots can shoot up into the brain and cause a stroke.

Smith’s symptoms appeared eight days after a visit to the salon, which included a weakness in her left arm and leg and couldn't stand. Six days after the first incident, Smith got very nauseous and was projectile vomiting. She has been through months of rehabilitation, and now has over $250,000 in medical bills.

Two years after the incident, She continues to strength, balance, and vision issues. Smith also still has a blood clot in her brain. Doctors have told her that if it moves, she could die.

Comments from Allen: At first glance, this appears to be an extremely difficult negligence case to win.  Who would expect to suffer a stroke while getting their hair washed in a salon?

However, hair stylists are aware of the danger of people getting strokes when getting their hair washed, and doctors even have a term for it: "beauty parlor stroke."  Because it is a known hazard, failure to take precautions to avoid this specific hazard may constitute negligence and may make the salon liable for damage suffered as a result.

This should provide Ms. Smith's lawyer with sufficient evidence to prevent a court from dismissing the case for lack of a connection between the action done by the salon and the injury suffered by Smith.

Nonetheless, liability is not a given in this situation.  A jury has to find that the hair salon employee acted unreasonably in the way he/she shampooed Smith's hair, and that was the cause of the stroke.  Expect the hair salon lawyers to fight liability in this case, as they will cite statistics to show the danger of this occurrence was extremely remote and not to be expected.

The stakes are very high for both sides of this controversy.  This may be the first time a jury has been called upon to determine whether a salon can be held liable for a stroke that results from washing someone's hair.  Both sides have very good arguments.  The skill of the attorneys and the location of the suit (San Diego, California) will certainly impact the verdict.  I'm leaning toward the plaintiff on this one, as the medical experts are saying this was a very preventable accident.
   

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Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen handles cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.

Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.

Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents,truck accidents, auto accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.

Allen Browning is an Idaho Falls attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI), traffic violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, battery and assault charges, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.
Allen is able to provide his services if the incident occurs in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.    
Sources for more information:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrissymahlmeister/beauty-parlor-stroke?bffbnews&utm_term=.pvRBxmPvL#.beW0xl5yV

http://www.refinery29.com/2016/03/106087/elizabeth-smith-beauty-parlor-sink-stroke

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/doctors-warn-hairdressers-sinks-can-7567172

http://www.10news.com/news/local-woman-shampoo-session-at-salon-nearly-turned-deadly-022516

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