Dentists routinely employ estheticians as independent contractors to augment their customary services. An esthetician may provide everything from waxing and facials, to chemical peels and microdermabrasion. In a business that works so closely and physically with each client, it is important for both the dentist and the esthetician to be protected from lawsuit. A dental professional liability policy covers the dentist if they are sued for acts of the esthetician. The esthetician, however, should have their own professional liability and general liability policies.
Professional Liability insurance, also known as malpractice, protects you and your business for loss or expense resulting from claims of professional errors, mistakes, or failure to perform professional duties committed or alleged to have been committed by the insured in his or her professional activities. For example, if the esthetician, in performing a brow wax, burns the client, disfiguring them and causing them to miss work, the malpractice policy would respond if they are sued for lack of skill or competence.
General Liability is a form of insurance designed to protect practitioners from liability exposures arising out of accidents resulting from the premises such as slip and fall. In addition, the policy will protect the esthetician for claims arising out of products or completed operations. For instance, if the esthetician performs a facial and sends the client home with a product, and later the product causes a skin rash, that client could bring claim for damages, blaming the esthetician for providing a faulty product. A general liability policy would protect the esthetician against third-party claims for bodily injury and related medical costs.
