Compensation for dental negligence or malpractice is a legal cause of action that arises when a dentist or health care professional violates professional standards by a careless act or omission, inflicting harm or resulting in patient death. Mistakes in diagnosis, treatment, follow-up care, or health management could be the cause.
As well as often leaving unsightly or painful results, negligent dental treatment can cause serious problems such as nerve damage, severe ongoing pain, loss of control of saliva, speech issues, damage to the senses, not to mention the psychological effects of such conditions.
Three characteristics are typically present in a dental negligence claims. First, it must be demonstrated that the medical care was not in accordance with the recognised standard of care, which is the standard of care agreed and acknowledged by the profession. Second, it must be demonstrated that the patient was harmed in some way as a result of the negligence. In other words, malpractice cannot be used to an injury that results from negligence or an act of negligence that results in no injuries. Third, it must be demonstrated that the injury caused considerable damages, such as a handicap, unusual pain or suffering, hardship, lost wages, or a large financial burden from medical expenses.
If you have suffered pain and injury as a result of sub-standard dental treatment, you could be eligible for a no-win, no-fee dental negligence compensation claim. Call us today on 0800 169 5925 or request a callback.
Complications following routine dental procedures
Common causes include badly positioned or fitting of:
Also known as gingivitis or periodontal disease.
Common causes include:
Which can amount to negligence leading to a claim for compensation.
You can claim compensation for the additional treatments required to resolve the problems caused by negligence. In addition, you may be able to claim any lost wages from time off. As each case is specific, it is best to speak to us about what you should and shouldn’t expect from a compensation claim.
If the injury is very serious and responsibility for the alleged negligence is accepted early on, the TLW team can try to negotiate an early payment towards the final compensation to cover the cost of private dental treatment needed to fix the problem.
As with all personal injury claims, a claim involving dental negligence must be brought within the relevant limitation period. Generally speaking, this will be 3 years from the date of the negligent treatment or when the patient knew or ought to reasonably have known that any injury was due to negligence. Other time limits may apply if the treatment was carried out on a child or protected party.
With dental cases, the relevant limitation period can sometimes be difficult to work out, particularly if the case relates to treatment over a long period of time. It is therefore important to ensure that you receive advice from our specialist team to ensure that your claim is pursued within the relevant time period.
If you are not sure about the timescales in your case, contact one of the dental negligence solicitors at TLW as soon as possible.
Our Dental Negligence team can offer specialist advice and assistance in all areas of Dental Negligence compensation claims and dental injury compensation.
Please get in touch with TLW Solicitors for a free, no-obligation discussion by calling 0800 169 5925, email us or complete the callback form.
It is important to get advice as soon as possible as strict time limits can apply.
Meet Natalie, who heads up our experienced Dental Negligence Claims team. Natalie and her colleagues are on hand to help with your claim.
