A Central Florida woman is suing over a $25 pedicure that cost her two toes and saddled her with $67,000 in medical bills, according to a lawsuit.
Lynn Hulland, 58, of Melbourne-- who as a diabetic is susceptible to skin ulcers from even minor wounds -- is demanding a trial and unspecified monetary damages, alleging that Regal Nail at Viera permanently disfigured her, Local 6 News partner Florida Today reported.
Hulland visited the salon at least once a month for three months, each time insisting that a manager made sure the nail technician understood that she has diabetes and that a razor couldn't be used on her feet, the woman's attorney, Sammy Cacciatore said.
Diabetes is the body's inability to control sugar levels in the blood, which can cause many complications, including aggravating small abrasions, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse.
On Oct. 1, 2006, when Hulland's usual pedicurist wasn't in, the routine procedure took an unusual turn, according to her attorney.
A non-English speaking nail technician, who had been told by the manager that she couldn't use a razor, instead pulled out a sanding tool -- used to refill acrylic nails on the hands -- to clean the skin on Hulland's toes, cutting her in the process, according to the suit.
The cut became infected, turning the fourth toe on Hulland's right foot red and swollen, slowly spreading to her third toe. Hulland was hospitalized for 17 days -- during which time doctors amputated both toes, Cacciatore said.
She missed more than two months of work.
Hulland referred all questions to her lawyer.
"She was surprised because they had never done it that way and, sure enough, it cut her and problems ensued," Cacciatore said.
Repeated calls to the salon, its attorney, Nicholas Freeman of Orlando, and his assistant weren't returned.
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