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Injuries Caused by Cosmetics – Product Liability

If you or a member of your family is suffering from a personal injury caused by incorrectly labelled or defective cosmetics, our specialist personal injury lawyers may be able to help you claim compensation. Contact us today on 0800 032 8511 for claim advice, or by completing a claim enquiry form online.

Cosmetics
Defective Cosmetic Products
Injuries Caused by Cosmetics
Product Liability
Claiming Compensation for Injuries Caused by Unsafe Cosmetics
Compensation
Our Personal Injury Lawyers

Cosmetics

Almost all of us use cosmetics of one kind or another and there are many different types available. For example, products such as moisturisers, shaving lotions, shampoos, depilatory creams, sun tan lotions, deodorants (comprising spray, aerosol and roll on types), talcum powder, perfumes, hair dyes and make-up would all fall into this category.

Cosmetics are often made up of a large number of ingredients, some natural and some synthetic.

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Defective Cosmetic Products

Any cosmetic product available to the public must be made with safe ingredients that have undergone the required testing and be fully labelled with the ingredients that it contains for safety. They should also be labelled with directions for use and any important information or warnings.

If the correct information is not shown, someone with an existing allergy may inadvertently expose themselves to an ingredient that they are allergic to, resulting in a reaction.

If the product itself is defective in some way, for example if it is not made with safe ingredients, has been contaminated with a harmful substance or was not correctly made, the user may suffer a personal injury.

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Injuries Caused by Cosmetics

There are various injuries that can be caused by defective cosmetics. Examples include skin rashes, chemical burns, dermatitis, blistering, scarring, asthma and allergic reactions. Chemical burns can be extremely painful and allergic reactions to cosmetics may affect the respiratory system as well as the skin, with serious health implications. Sometimes these injuries can result in long term problems and permanent effects on the appearance of the skin.

Sensitisation can occur so that once an adverse reaction has been caused by one product, a similar reaction can be provoked by contact with other products with a similar chemical constitution. Once sensitisation has occurred, even minor exposures either direct or from contact with other people can cause reactions.

Anyone injured by a faulty product due to negligence on the part of the manufacturer should be entitled to make a compensation claim. It would be wise to keep the receipts, packaging and anything left of the product itself, and to take photographs as evidence of the damage caused.

Personal injuries caused by cosmetics do not always occur at home due to products purchased in shops.  Sometimes a reaction or injury can occur when cosmetics are applied by a service provider, for example a hairdresser or beautician.  If this is the case, you should ensure that the incident is recorded in an accident book wherever possible, obtain as much information as you can about the products used and keep any receipts you may have.

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Product Liability

Various laws govern companies that manufacture or sell goods to consumers. These are in place to protect consumers.

The Sale of Goods Act states that all goods should be suitable for their purpose, as described and of satisfactory quality. The Consumer Protection Act 1987 provides liability where a defective product wholly or partly causes harm.

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Claiming Compensation for Injuries Caused by Unsafe Cosmetics

In any personal injury claim it is necessary to show that the person you are making a claim against owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty of care (were negligent), and that the injury you sustained was a reasonably foreseeable consequence of that negligence. In every case, medical evidence will also be required.

It is therefore important to seek the prompt advice of an expert personal injury solicitor if you believe that you may be entitled to make a compensation claim.

If you have been injured by a defective cosmetic product, try to record as much information as possible, including details of any medical treatment. It is also useful to retain receipts for any injury related expenses. Specifically in cases involving a faulty product, you should try to retain the product and its receipt as evidence where possible.

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Compensation

There are two elements to a compensation award. The first is called general damages and is financial compensation for the pain and suffering you may have gone through and what is known as loss of amenity. This can include an award for your inability to do things that you used to be able to do before (eg play sports, walk the dog, carry out housework etc). The award for loss of amenity can be for a short period after or for ever if that is what the medical evidence supports.

The second element of a compensation award is for your losses and expenses and is known as special damages. It is important to keep receipts for any expenditure you have related to your injury, and details of any loss of earnings, so that these can be reclaimed. The aim is to put you back in a position financially as if the personal injury had never occurred.

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Our Personal Injury Lawyers

The Legal Line's lawyers are experts in all areas of personal injury, with extensive experience in recovering compensation for the victims of product liability claims, including those involving unsafe cosmetics. They can provide specialist claim advice, assistance and guidance in helping you to pursue your claim to the best possible outcome.

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