Virginia Lawyers Weekly VA Lawyers Weekly
On Oct. 12, 2012, plaintiff went to defendant nail salon for a pedicure. By admission, the salon owner and her employees did not follow industry guidelines and manufacturer recommended procedures when cleaning and disinfecting the pedicure tools and basins between each customer and at the end of the day. The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation investigated the incident and ultimately the Virginia Board of Barbers and Cosmetology revoked the salon’s license for failure to comply with recognized sanitization standards. The plaintiff developed painful boils and lesions on her legs shortly after the pedicure, which her doctors diagnosed as a rare mycobacterial infection that likely developed due to the unsanitary pedicure. She had to undergo multiple surgeries to remove the infection from both legs leaving her with permanent scarring.
[17-T-035]Type of action: Personal Injury
Injuries alleged: Mycobacterial infections to both legs
Name of case: Samantha Payne v. Red Nails of T&I, Inc. and Thu-Huong Thi Vo
Court: Henrico County Circuit Court
Case no.: CL14-2991
Name of judge or mediator: Judge John Marshall
Special damages: $14,213.11 past medical bills
Verdict or settlement: Verdict
Amount: $1,003,536.47
Attorneys for plaintiff: James “Jamie” M. Kessel and Robert C. Reed, Richmond
