Dangerous Bacteria in Pedicure Footbaths at Nail Salons Can Cause Serious Infection and Permanent Injuries – Know Your Legal Rights

By: Paul J. Vames, Attorney at Law, Harris Law Firm, Hillsboro, Oregon

Many consider an occasional pedicure an earned reward. The warm water, the massage, and having one’s feet look their best all combine to make pedicures a popular cosmetology service.

What most people don’t know is that if proper sanitary guidelines are not observed in a nail salon, serious infection and injury can result. Mycobacterium fortuitum is highly infectious and can breed in pedicure footbaths which are not disinfected. If a victim is exposed to mycobacterium fortuitum during a pedicure and becomes infected, serious skin evulsions will develop and spread. These are painful and may include boils, scabs, scars, and pus-filled blisters. High and prolonged doses of antibiotics are often necessary to bring the infection under control. During the period of active infection, the victim can be sickened by high doses of antibiotics. Once the infection subsides, the skin is left permanently scarred and discolored.

How can nail salon patrons protect themselves? In Oregon, the Health Licensing Office of the State Board of Cosmetology cites and sanctions nail salons which are found to be in violation of State regulations. If a salon is cited and found to be in violation, the violation becomes a public record. Patrons can obtain records for a salon from the Board of Cosmetology to determine if that particular nail salon has violated State regulations before patronizing the salon.  If you do suffer an infection, As Attorneys who file claims for personal injury, including the infectious injuries described here, we can quickly get this information and evaluate the salon's liability.

If a nail salon patron suspects that he or she has been infected, that person should immediately seek medical attention at the first sign of a rash or skin irregularity. A competent medical professional can identify the infection, order cultures and biopsies, and prescribe appropriate medication to bring the infection under control and minimize permanent damage. Some skin treatments, including laser therapies, can be used to minimize the effects of the residual scars.

Victims of mycobacterium fortuitum infection should also consult an personal injury attorney. who has experience in infectious injury cases. This should occur at the earliest possible date so that evidence can be preserved, witnesses can be interviewed, and parties and their insurers can be properly notified. Nail salons that infect their patrons through substandard sanitary and disinfecting activities are liable for all medical expenses, pain and suffering, and the permanent scars left behind by aggressive bacteria.

Our office has experience and expertise representing victims of unsanitary pedicure salons who have been infected by mycobacterium fortuitum. We have been able to recover substantial sums for  clients to cover all medical costs, pain and suffering as well as for the permanent  scarring that victims may endure. If you are a victim, you should know your legal rights. Contact us for a free case evaluation.

And, if you'd like to find out more information about this type of injury, here are some helpful articles.

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For more informatin about our firm and to find out how we can help you, visit our website.

Comments

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Nice post and helpful to take out the good information about our legal rights. Thanks.

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[Ajlouny]

It's important that these salons change and sanitize their equipment after each use. I know it would be costly, but in the long run, it's not worth a law suit.

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