When To Seek A Dental Malpractice Lawyer

February 23rd, 2008    Subscribe To Our Feed

Doctors are not the only ones who can have a lawsuit against them.  Dentist are just a liable as a doctor, but it doesn’t happen as often as with other practices.  If you are looking or needing a dentist malpractice attorney, then just click on the link. Just click on the link for legal match and your attorney will be prescreened for you.
Virtually everyone has heard of medical malpractice, but not many people are aware that dental malpractice can also occur and can be just as serious. Dentists can get malpractice insurance just as doctors can, although they can usually only get it through insurers who also write medical malpractice policies. Almost all dentists carry this insurance, and if you are a dentist’s patient and think that the dentist may have committed dental malpractice on you, you may be wise to seek the advice of a dental malpractice lawyer.

Claims for dental malpractice have not risen as sharply as medical malpractice claims, but continue to be pretty steady. The claims and resulting awards are generally smaller than with medical malpractice simply because the circumstances are typically less life-threatening. Very simply put, dental malpractice occurs because improper treatment or services have been performed, or the dentist has failed to detect or properly diagnose symptoms and conditions. The types of injuries include damage to the lips, jaw, tongue, and perhaps also the nerves in those areas, as well as failure to detect oral cancer. Improperly applied anesthetics can also cause injury or even death.

Just as with any other healthcare area, a dentist is responsible for providing a certain standard of care to his or her patients. If this particular responsibility is not met, dental malpractice or negligence may occur. Not every complaint in dental malpractice will result in a lawsuit, but if a patient believes he or she has suffered injury because of negligence while under the dentist’s care, he or she may consult a dental malpractice lawyer. The lawyer will then review the case. If the case is strong enough, the lawyer can advise the patient of his or her legal rights, as well as options for pursuit of a claim he or she may have.

The most serious case of dental malpractice is when the end result of improperly applied procedures result in the patient’s death. This can be due to anesthesia being incorrectly applied, or as a result of complications from a botched procedure, which can allow infections to set in.

Other possibilities would be when oral surgery is done and results in permanent damage of facial or tongue nerves, or perhaps even damage to the tongue itself. This can result in a distinct loss of sensation, including difficulty in talking, eating, or swallowing.

A simple dental extraction can also be a problem and possible case for dental malpractice when the dentist removes the wrong tooth, for example a healthy tooth instead of the decayed one. This can lead to other problems and complications as well. Dental malpractice also occurs when the dentist fails to diagnose and treat periodontal disease or oral cancer. You may also have a case if the dentist performs a procedure on you for which you did not authorize or consent to.

In some cases, improper orthodontic procedures are done on adults or children, and this, too, can be defined as malpractice. Orthodontists are required to present alternatives to patients, and in some cases, can improperly remove teeth instead of presenting other less radical options to aid in teeth straightening. When orthodontics are improperly done, this can also lead to TMJ syndrome or headaches that will not go away.

If you feel like any of this applies to you, you are advised to contact a dental malpractice lawyer in your area to discuss your situation and see if they feel you have a case worth pursuing. An experienced lawyer can also let you know what your viable options are and make recommendations for your best course of action.

If you are in need of a prescreened attorney, click on legal match.  They will find an dental malpractice lawyer in your area.

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