Medical malpractice involves instances where a medical practitioner is negligent, causing subsequent harm to the patient. The consequences of medical negligence can be severe and that is why victims are required to hire malpractice lawyers and claim compensation.
However, unlike the common misconception, medical malpractice is not restricted to surgeries only. A particular type of medical negligence claim that seems to be on the rise are dental claims. A dental claim arises when your dentist fails to provide you with proper dental treatment. If you have ever suffered pain and injury because the dentist lacked the required care and skill, you are entitled to a legal claim.
Just like any other form of medical negligence, a dental claim also implies that the practitioner breached the standards of duty and care.
Situations that Allow a Dental Claim
There are several victims who stay away from consulting a medical malpractice lawyer after a dental injury. This is because the dental claims can be tricky and victims are often not sure of the circumstances that lead to a claim. Let us take a closer look at some of the common instances of dental negligence.
Most dental claims are related to the use of dental implants. Now, dental implants that weren't inserted can give you a lot of trouble. Also, if the dentist did not use the appropriate type of dental implant, which falls out and negatively affects your gum and bones in the mouth, it's a case of negligence. When the procedure goes bad and the implant falls out, the patient is often left without the option of another implant.
Negligent insertion of implants without care could lead to oral infections, pain, and difficulty in chewing solid foods. It can even cause permanent joint disorder in the jaws of the victim.
Apart from incorrect dental implants, removal of teeth can also pose certain risks, especially for the elderly patients.
The tooth removal should not be done without taking into account any present health condition or the other treatment the patient is going through. When this happens, the patient can develop complications. For example, if the patient had ever taken radiation treatment to the mouth and jaw area, a hyperbaric jaw treatment needs to be carried out before the removal.
In the absence of this treatment, the patient can develop a condition called the Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw. This is a threatening problem, which damages the bone in the jaw. As a result, the victim can even lose his ability to eat and has to be fed through a tube, causing consistent pain.
The severity and consequence of a dental negligence can be as serious as that of any surgery. It is only through the help of a personal injury attorney that the victim can get justice.
Types of Compensation Received through a Dental Claim
Each year, several dental claims are handled by the expert medical malpractice lawyers in PA. As a victim and a claimant, you can expect to be compensated for the damages including:
Since dental claims are very specialized in nature and scope, it is necessary that you choose wisely. Make sure seeking the assistance of medical malpractice lawyers with expertise and experience in the particular area.
Talk to one of our medical malpractice attorney here at the Law Offices of Alvin de Levie today at 844-777-2529 if you are suffering because of the negligence of your dentist.
Alvin F. de Levie is a 1973, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and a 1976 graduate of the Villanova University School of Law. He is an expert in Pennsylvania Law revolving around medical malpractice and personal injury.
Mr. de Levie has consistently been voted by his peers to receive Martindale-Hubbell's "AV Preeminent" 5.0 out of 5.0 rating. An AV Preeminent rating is the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards.
