(845) 802-0047Whether your dentist failed to responsibly oversee their employees, improperly pulled your teeth, did not obtain informed consent, or wrongfully provided you with anesthesia, you may have legal rights to compensation. If a dentist’s negligence caused you injury, you could hold them accountable for breaching the duty of care they owe every patient with the help of a trusted medical malpractice attorney.
Victims of dental mistakes could be at risk for complications, pain, disfigurement, and additional dental and medical expenses. A seasoned Poughkeepsie dental malpractice lawyer could help you pursue justice and provide you with a legal plan to receive the compensation you deserve.
Defining Dental Malpractice
Dental professionals could be subject to malpractice lawsuits like any other medical provider. To successfully navigate a Poughkeepsie dental malpractice case, a dental malpractice lawyer must prove that the dentist owed the plaintiff a duty of care based on their patient/doctor relationship.
An attorney must also demonstrate that the plaintiff’s injuries and damages were directly caused by the defendant’s breach of their duty of care. If the plaintiff or their attorney cannot prove these points, the plaintiff might not be able to negotiate a settlement or achieve a favorable outcome.
Examples of dental malpractice include:
- Performing the wrong dental procedure on the patient
- Anesthesia complications
- Failure to diagnose oral cancer or other oral/dental disease
- Leaving a bandage or other object in the patient’s mouth
- Causing irreparable damage to the patient, their teeth, or gums
- Preventable infections
Dental Malpractice Statute of Limitations
Each type of civil lawsuit has a specific time limit in which potential plaintiffs must file their case. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.
For dental malpractice cases, the statute of limitations is two years and six months from the date of the incident according to New York Civil Practice Law and Rules § 214-a. If the malpractice involves a series of treatments, the time limit does not begin until the date of the last treatment. For dental malpractice cases involving an object left inside of a patient after a surgery or other procedure, the statute of limitations is one year after the date of discovery or one year after the object should have reasonably been discovered.
If a plaintiff attempts to file a civil complaint in Poughkeepsie after the statute of limitations expires, they will likely never be able to seek compensation for their injuries. Once the statute of limitations has passed, the case will most likely be dismissed with no chance of receiving compensation.
See if a Poughkeepsie Dental Malpractice Attorney Could File Your Lawsuit
Malpractice lawsuits involving dental professionals can be very serious. They may involve grievous physical injury and significant financial loss. A Poughkeepsie dental malpractice lawyer could assess whether you have a valid claim, and help you with legal proceedings if you want to file suit.
Remember that your legal right to hold the negligent dental provider accountable has an expiration date. Your first step in seeking the compensation you deserve is picking up the phone and scheduling your case consultation today.