$1 Million Verdict Awarded To Nail Salon Patron Who Contracted Infection

A Central Virginia woman who contracted a severe mycobacterial infection and was left permanently scarred after a visit to a local nail salon has received a verdict in excess of $1 million against the nail salon, including compensatory and punitive damages. The case was heard in Henrico County Circuit Court.

Lawyers for the victim presented evidence that painful boil-like lesions developed on the victim’s legs after a pedicure she received in 2012 at a nail salon on Willow Lawn Drive in Richmond. She was diagnosed with a cutaneous mycobacterial infection, which causes boils to form, grow and spread up the legs. Multiple surgeries were required to remove the infections, which left permanent scars.

A lawsuit was filed against the nail salon and its owner for medical bills, lost wages, pain, inconvenience, disfigurement, consumer protection claims, and punitive damages. The plaintiff was represented by James “Jamie” Kessel and Robert Reed from the personal injury law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen. The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology investigated the incident and suspended the salon’s cosmetology license for failure to comply with sanitization standards.

“This verdict will not undo the pain our client has suffered,” said attorney Jamie Kessel, “but it will help generate public awareness for the cleanliness requirements that nail salons and similar businesses are required to follow.” Attorney Robert Reed added, “It is a definite wake-up call within the industry, forcing salons to be more diligent in following sanitization procedures.”

About the Firm: Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen is the oldest and largest law firm in Virginia limiting its practice to personal injury. In business for more than 100 years, the firm currently has 31 attorneys who handle personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, brain injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability and more. Allen & Allen has eight offices located throughout Virginia in Richmond, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, Mechanicsville, Short Pump, Chesterfield, Stafford, and Charlottesville.