I pierced a client’s navel six months ago. The depth was standard, the jewelry was implant-grade titanium. Yesterday, she stormed in demanding a refund and plastic surgery costs because the ring had “migrated” halfway out, leaving a nasty red scar track. She claimed I pierced it “too shallow.” I looked at my notes: she was a stomach sleeper who wore high-waisted jeans every day.
Key Takeaways
- Anatomy vs. Error: Migration is often a biological rejection or lifestyle issue, not a piercing error. Insurance covers negligence, not biology.
- The “Anatomy Check” Defense: If you documented that her anatomy was suitable (a proper “shelf” for the navel) in your intake notes, you have a strong defense. If you pierced a flat stomach just to make $50, you are liable.
- Aftercare Negligence: If the client ignored aftercare (e.g., tight pants, sleeping on it), that is “Contributory Negligence.”
- Refunds Don’t Fix Scars: Offering a refund can be seen as an admission of guilt. Let the insurance adjuster handle the settlement talk.
The “Why” (The Trap): The “Guaranteed Result” Assumption
Clients assume that if they pay for a piercing, it will stay forever.
The trap is in your Waiver. If you don’t explicitly state that “migration and rejection are risks of any piercing,” the client can sue for Breach of Warranty.
Insurance policies exclude “Guarantees.” If you verbally promised “This will never move,” you created a contract your insurance won’t back. The policy covers you for doing the piercing correctly, not for the body keeping it.
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I asked adjusters how they handle “Migration Claims.”
1. The Specialty Adjuster (PPIB)
- Verdict: They ask for the consent form immediately.
- Outcome: If the form lists “Migration/Rejection” as a risk, they deny the client’s claim. They defend the piercer.
2. General Liability Adjuster
- Verdict: “Is it infected? No? Then it’s not bodily injury. It’s a quality of work dispute.”
- Outcome: They often refuse to even open a file, leaving you to deal with the angry client alone.
3. Medical Perspective
- Verdict: Doctors know bodies reject foreign objects. A note from a dermatologist stating “Foreign Body Rejection” clears the piercer of negligence.
Comparison Table: Liability for Rejection
| Cause of Migration | Liable Party | Insurance Outcome |
| Pierced too shallow | Piercer | Covered (Negligence) |
| Client wore tight jeans | Client | Claim Denied |
| Body just rejected it | Nobody (Nature) | Claim Denied |
| Wrong Jewelry Size | Piercer | Covered (Product Liability) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Anatomy Check Documentation: In your client notes, write: “Anatomy check passed. Defined ridge present.” This proves you didn’t just pierce flat skin.
- Update the Waiver: Add a bold line: “I understand that migration and rejection are natural risks and are not evidence of piercer error.”
- Photograph the Mark: Take a photo of the marking dots before you pierce. It proves the placement was correct and centered initially.
- No Refunds: Tell the client: “Rejection happens. I can offer a discount on a different piercing once this heals, but I cannot refund the service performed.”
FAQ
Q: Can I re-pierce it for free?
A: You can, but wait for it to heal fully. Re-piercing through scar tissue increases the risk of rejection again.
Q: Does surface piercing rejection count?
A: Surface bars reject frequently. Your waiver for surface work should be even stricter about this risk.
[IMAGE: Diagram showing “Proper Depth” vs “Shallow Depth” in a navel piercing.]