Have You Been Injured As The Result Of A Dental Procedure?: You May Be The Victim Of Dental Malpractice

When a dental health care professional does not perform at or above the acceptable standard of care and as a result the patient suffers serious personal injuries, dental malpractice has occurred.  While most dentists work hard to ensure that their patients are properly cared for, mistakes that could have been prevented do occur.  It has been estimated that there could be as many as 1 out of every 7 medical malpractice cases involves a dental malpractice issue directly.

Cases of dental malpractice can include:

• Failure to properly diagnose oral cancer or periodontal (gum) disease
• Improperly placing dental implants, resulting in nerve damage
• Incorrectly using dental anesthesia leading to complication or even death
• Using improper procedures
• Injury and infections to the jaw, face, and gums resulting from faulty root canals, crowns, implants, veneers, or dental bridges
• Faulty restorations resulting in tooth loss
• Failing to perform a complete and thorough oral exam
• Medication error
• Using faulty materials or products
• Failure to diagnose or control infections
• Improper administration of antibiotics before a dental surgical procedure

Injuries resulting from dental malpractice include:

• Chronic, debilitating pain
• Failure to diagnose conditions
• Gum disease
• Incorrect diagnosis
• Loss of taste
• Loss of teeth and bone support
• Numbness and nerve damages to the face, jaw, lip, or tongue
• Oral infections
• Unnecessary multiple extractions

A Kingston, New York dental malpractice lawyer will thoroughly investigate your claim.  A complete copy of you dental records will be obtained.  These records belong to you and you are entitled to the information they contain.  The dental chart may not contain your entire record however, and other records must be requested for separately.  For example, ledgers and account history may be kept on a computer.  X-rays should also be duplicated and obtained as well as any progress notes, copies of prescriptions, and referral slips.

During the investigation of a claim, specialists in the field will need to be hired to act as experts.  Experts aid us in determining if your injuries resulted from malpractice and if they did how the injuries were caused by the malpractice.  The dental experts will study all your records, perform research to understand the issues, help us determine strategy, investigate all possible defendants, draft documents, and help manage your lawsuit.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of dental malpractice, contact an experienced attorney to evaluate your case.  You have a right to seek compensation for medical expenses, diminished quality of life, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

But what do you think?  I would love to hear from you!  Leave a comment or I also welcome your phone call on my toll-free cell at 1-866-889-6882 or you can drop me an e-mail at jfisher@fishermalpracticelaw.com.  You are always welcome to request my FREE book, The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims, at the home page of my website at www.protectingpatientrights.com.