Can You Sue A Tattoo Parlor If Your Tattoo Becomes Infected?
Doing your research into a tattoo parlor is important. Unfortunately, not every tattoo job goes smoothly What if you did the research and you still have an infected tattoo afterwards? Can you sue the tattoo parlor? Here's all you need to know.
Contact the Tattoo Parlor First
As soon as you notice a problem with your tattoo parlor, get in touch with the company. If you leave it too long, the tattooist and the parlor's insurance company can claim that you are liable. You can contact by phone, or you can walk in and show the evidence.
Make sure you get photographic evidence of the infection. This will need to be used as proof in the event of a lawsuit and for the insurance company.
See Your Doctor
Before you can sue, you will need to prove that there is harm. Seeing the infection isn't always good enough. You will need to see your doctor to get an official diagnosis. This will allow tests to be carried out to check the type of infection, as there are serious transmittable diseases like HIV that can be passed through tattoo needles.
The infection must come straight from the tattoo. Make sure you can prove this.
Check the Standard of Care
For the tattoo parlor to be held negligent, it will need to have failed to provide the standard of care expected. This will include being licensed, following procedures to prevent infection, and ask various medical questions to make sure you are suitable for a tattoo in the first place.
If you provided false information, it is possible that you will be held liable for the infection. This is especially the case if you are already ill or provided false information about previous infections.
Signing a Waiver
At times, waivers are signed before the tattoo is done. This absolves the tattooist of responsibility afterwards, although usually of normal aftereffects. A serious infection or disease due to negligence would not usually be waivered, despite the document that you signed.
Prove It Wasn't Poor Aftercare
You need to prove that your aftercare wasn't the cause for the infection. Tattooists should go through steps that you need to take to look after your tattoo, especially in areas more susceptible of infection. The tattooist might argue that it wasn't the tattoo, but the aftercare that led to the problem.
Before you get a tattoo, do your research. While it isn't impossible, suing a tattoo parlor for an infected tattoo is a tricky situation. Proving the parlor was negligent in giving you the tattoo will require the help of an experienced lawyer like Greg S. Memovich.