Health spas all over the country are being forced to introduce compulsory disclaimers to protect themselves against the dramatic increase in personal injury claims against them. The National Spa Authority reported a staggering 36% increase in the number of claims in the first 6 months of 2009. The situation has led to an increased depth in the health spa screening process of clientele and more legal protective procedures to be put in place.

A case last year of a woman suing a local spa after she claimed she was injured by a bad massage, is likely to be the cause of the increase in claim activity.Even though she had previously sought medical treatment for issues related to her back, she verbally confirmed with the therapist that she no longer had any problems. Despite this, after suffering muscle damage from the massage, she successfully sued and is thought to have received a five figure settlement.

Since then there has been a sharp increase in the amount of reported incidences at health spas. Most have followed the massage claim route but there have also been reported claims related to hair damage, digestive problem and even onset of migraines. It is thought that a large majority of the claims are false and are made by people looking to make some quick compensation money. A number of insurance companies have announced that they will take strong legal action against false claims, but this is still a worrying time for any health spa.

Spas are being urged both by insurance companies and spa governing bodies to not only cover themselves with thorough screening forms and disclaimers, but also make sure their standards are the highest possible. They are advised to source all beauty products from reputable companies, service and check over their equipment as often as possible, and maintain regular high quality treatment training for their therapists.