Woman says her fingernails fell off after manicure

MARTINSBURG -- A Berkeley County woman has filed suit against a manicure shop, alleging all of her fingernails fell off after she had a manicure at the shop.

Hours after Pro Nails applied acrylic nails to all of Penny Young's fingers on Sept. 11, 2006, Young began to feel a burning sensation under her nails, according to a complaint filed Sept. 9 in Berkeley Circuit Court.

Young called the store to report the burning, but Julie Le, the store's owner, assured her the sensation was a normal feeling and that it should subside, the suit states.

Young claims the burning did not go away and her fingers became black and swollen, so she went to the doctor.

"However, Ms. Young's nails could not be salvaged, and all ten of her natural fingernails feel off of her hands," the suit states.

Young claims Pro Nails was negligent because it failed to comply with rules and regulations governing sanitation requirements, failed to employ appropriate procedures and failed to advise Young to seek medical attention when she began to feel the burning.

Young is seeking unspecified damages, costs and attorney's fees.

Gregory A. Bailey of Arnold, Cesare & Bailey in Shepherdstown will be representing her.

Berkeley Circuit Court case number: 08-C-1156