January 27, 2005

Nail salon infection lawsuit settled

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

While the current outbreak of pedicure-related infections in San Jose continues to play out, another is finally coming to a close.

Although more than four years have passed since 103 women reported painful boils and for some, permanent scaring on their legs as a result of pedicures they received at Fancy Nails salon in Watsonville, many of them will have a little less to worry about, as they split a $3 million settlement announced Jan. 24 between the Fancy Nails owner Tuan Anh Ngo of Gilroy and 73 former clients.

In its prime, Fancy Nails served nearly 200 pedicure customers each week. Ngo closed the shop in October 2000 and the state suspended his license for 90 days on April 27, 2001 for unprofessional conduct and gross negligence for allowing unsanitary conditions and using Credo blades [illegal instruments] on his customers. Ngo was also ordered to pay an estimated $19,000 to offset the cost of the investigation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while the type of bacteria is common, the outbreak in Watsonville was the first documented case at a nail salon in the United States. A similar outbreak was reported in Texas earlier this year, and now dozens of San Jose women are facing a similar outbreak.

The landmark settlement could have an effect on how the story plays out here. Seventy-three embattled and scared women will be able to offset costly antibiotic treatment and have enough left over for reconstruction or plastic surgery that may just give them their old, familiar legs back.

The Public Health Department has been working with the California Department of Consumer Affairs Barbering & Cosmetology on the current outbreak, offering consumer tips on whirlpool foot spas. For more information, visit www.barbercosmo.ca.gov or call 800-952-5210. Complaints can be filed online or by calling the Santa Clara County Health Department at (408) 885-3980. Those who do not have a physician or have additional questions can call the Public Health Information Line at 408.885.3980. To report a problem with a salon, contact the state Department of Consumer Affairs at 800-952-5210.