Wife sues salon for £1m, saying six hair washes caused a stroke
A WIFE has launched a £1million legal action against a hairdresser after she claimed a treatment caused her to have a stroke.
Mum-of-two Adele Burns, 47, had her hair washed six times, with the impact of the sink on her neck allegedly making her collapse next day.
Mrs Burns, of Mid Calder, Livingston West Lothian, has started a civil case against the Rainbow Room salon in Glasgow, claiming her life “has been turned upside down”.
She said: “With backing from my doctors, there is no doubt in my mind the salon caused the stroke.
“This hasn’t just left me isolated from society. I’ve been isolated from my own body.”
She said she has had to sell the family home and now struggles to speak, read and write.
She visited the hairdresser in April 2016 and said she left with a headache, which she put down to not getting a chance to eat during the appointment.
Trauma
Next day she lost her sight and felt dizzy. She then passed out while phoning her husband Campbell.
He called an ambulance and she was taken to St John’s hospital in Livingston.
Solicitors Digby Brown said it was found that she had suffered a stroke following “dissection of the vertebral artery”.
They said this was a clot caused by trauma in the neck which stops blood getting to the brain.
It was also found there is no history of strokes in Mrs Burns’ family.
Court papers state salon staff did not ask Mrs Burns to attend a “strand test” before her appointment.
They said this would have prevented the need for her hair to be rewashed and recoloured six times.
Documents also accuse the salon of negligence by failing to offer Mrs Burns a front-facing sink or provide neck protection during the treatment she received.
Jennifer Watson, associate at Digby Brown and a specialist beauty treatment lawyer, said: “A civil action against Rainbow Room is under way after our client’s life was undeniably altered following her appointment with their salon.
“Thousands of people will seek beauty treatment like this every year.
“Adele is incredibly brave in speaking out as a way of alerting others to the risks.
“Strokes caused are not unheard of.
“There have been a handful similar cases across the globe.
“However, I’m not aware of anything similar coming before the Scottish courts.
“This claim of negligence rigorously pursued.
“As it is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Rainbow Room International declined to comment. by hair washes will of be