HAIRDRESSER SUED

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21656, 14 December 1935, Page 11

HAIRDRESSER SUED

CLIENT ALLEGES INJURY TO HEAD CLAIM FOR £213 HEARD IN COURT Alleging that her scalp had been severely burned in several places while she was having her hair treated in Miss Burke’s Beauty Parlour, in Regent street on May 11, of this year, Ethel Olive Beddis, a spinster, of eral and special damages from, Doreen Burke, a toilet specialist, in the Magistrate’s* Court yesterday. After hearing long evidence, the magistrate, Mr F. F. Reid, S.M., said he was satisfied the plaintiff was entitled to damages, but owing to conflicting medical evidence it was difficult to fix the amount. There was probably some degree of “compensationitis” in the plaintiff’s attitude, but wheij it began it was difficult to say. He reserved his decision. In her statement of claim, Miss Beddis alleged that her injuries had been sustained through the negligence of Miss Burke or her servant. The burns had caused her to suffer a serious illness and she was still incapacitated. Her claim for damages was made up of £l5O general damages, together with special damages, involving medical expenses, nursing fees, and loss of wages. Mr J. A. Kennedy appeared for Miss Beddis, and Mr A. W. Brown for the defendant. Change of Name Before the case began, Mr Brown asked that the plaint should be amended by alteration of the defendant's name. Since the alleged burns she had married and her name was now Colthart. She had left the business, which was still carried on under the name of Burke. The magistrate granted the amendment. Mr Kennedy said that Mrs Colthart had been the owner of a toilet salon in Regent street. Miss Beddis vyem tnere for a permanent wave, and was attended by Mrs Colthart and an assistant. The actual “baking” process had been done by an assistant ana three times Miss Beddis had to have it taken off because of excessive heat. The following day, while she was combing her hair, Miss Beddis fainted because of pain in her scalp. The next day she went to a chemist and then showed the burns to Mrs Colthart, who said they were only surface burns and would soon heal. Wounds Septic Three weeks later, Miss Beddis went to Dr. S. Hunter, who found some of the burns were septic. She was ordered to leave her work and after three weeks’ treatment hqr wounds had healed moderately well, but her nervous condition was no better and Dr. R; H. Quentin-Baxter, a nerve specialist, was called. Dr. E. D. Pullon had since been treating her and her condition showed gradual improvement, although she had one or two lapses. Evidence would show that her illness was directly due to burns. Long evidence was given .by doctors, and by the plaintiff supporting the statement made by Mr" Kennedy. Medical evidence was also called for the defendant.