Many people really dread a trip to the dentist, but the end result is usually a pain-free mouth. This is worth the time and energy spent in the dentist’s office. But what happens when you leave the dentist’s chair in a worse state than when you came in? Sometimes, medical negligence may occur and in this case, you will definitely need the help of a specialized medical accidents attorney. In the worst-case scenario, if you suspect your dentist’s negligence has left you or someone in your family in long-term pain, severe physical impairment or with several issues such as nerve damage or a severe infection, you should really consider taking a few legal steps.

Dentists are doctors too, and they are accountable for their mistakes, as they are required by law to maintain an acceptable practice and a reasonable standard of care. As a result, they can be sued for malpractice. Below are a few things to know before contacting your specialized accidents attorney.

A dentist is accountable for malpractice when he has breached the reasonable standard of care he is required to uphold by law. So what does this mean for you, as a patient? Keep in mind that medical malpractice is a serious allegation, so you need to make sure your complaint is valid and will stand in court.

There are a few possible reasons for a malpractice suit against a dental specialist:

a)     The patient has suffered a severe infection following the procedure.

b)     The patient has had nerve damage following the procedure.

c)     There were several complications involved following a tooth extraction procedure.

Here are the first steps you can take as a patient affected by dental malpractice:

1)     Get a copy of your dental records.

2)     Keep any phone calls/ exchange of emails or other written correspondence on record so you can prove the dental visits actually took place.

3)     Get a second medical opinion by consulting an expert dentist in your area who will be able to assess if your dental situation was handled improperly. Here, you should really consult with your specialized malpractice and accidents lawyer, even ask them to recommend an expert.

If your malpractice claim is successful, you will be able to collect damages worth the value of associated medical treatment bills, compensation for time spent away from work as well as pain and suffering compensation.

In most cases, a dental accident may be settled with the dentist without a trial, but if your special situation requires that you go to court, keep in mind that you won’t be able to do it on your own. You require specialized help and an accidents attorney with a proven track record in winning medical negligence cases will be the best ally in your corner.