Dental Malpractice Attorney
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A professional dental malpractice attorney helps patients file claims against dentists and oral surgeons whose failure to properly perform services results in personal injury to the client. The practice of dentistry is an exact science involving the anatomy and physiology of the whole body, especially the nervous and blood systems. Competent orthodontists, oral surgeons, and dentistry professionals are experts at rendering services which enhance and improve an individual's ability to look and feel better. But negligent or improper administration of orthodontic or surgical services can cause permanent injuries and disability, or long term temporary discomfort to patients. When patients experience debilitating or life threatening injuries due to practitioners negligence, it is time to contact a dental malpractice lawyer to recover financial, emotional, and physical losses.
To some people, a smile is a lifeline to a lucrative career and a means of projecting a positive image to the world. While competent dentists and oral surgeons are able to work wonders on patients with problems from crooked and yellowing teeth, to hare lips and misaligned jaws, sometimes things go wrong in the dentist's chair; and patients are left battling serious complications which affect their quality of life or an ability to earn higher income. For instance, a fashion model, a corporate account executive, actors and actresses, and other high profile professionals must meet and greet the public on a daily basis. Models must possess perfect looks in order to win assignments. Account executives must project professional appearances in order to sell products, goods and services. Poor dentistry can ruin a career, causing severe emotional distress, and costing a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential earnings. A proficient dental malpractice attorney can help recover those losses, including the cost of correcting faulty work.
A dental malpractice lawyer may investigate and help patients file claims in cases of injuries to the mouth, including the tongue, chin, lips and jaw. Patients can experience extended numbness or loss of taste or feeling in the tongue, mouth, lips, face or chin following surgery, extractions, or fillings. Dentists and oral surgeons may injure patients by improperly administering anesthesia, especially without pre-operative tests to detect heart or lung problems. Dentists may fail to detect life threatening diseases, such as mouth and tongue cancers, periodontal disease, or abnormal growths, which can develop into more complicated and expensive problems or death. Some practitioners may prescribe and treat patients unnecessarily; extracting teeth that could be saved or prescribing expensive crowns, bridges or implants simply to increase billing. Other injuries can result from using mercury fillings, treating root canals with Sargenti Paste (N2), or causing partial or total paralysis to the face due to compressed nerves. An expert attorney can build a case against unscrupulous dentists and oral surgeons who fail to provide a high standard of care.
What are the first steps injured patients need to take? Once individuals suspect that physical ailments are a result of poor orthodontic care or oral surgery, a second opinion from a reputable licensed professional is recommended. The Bible extols the virtue of a second opinion: "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established" (Matthew 18:15-16). An authoritative report confirming the existence of negligence is the foundation from which a dental malpractice attorney can begin building a case. Facial swelling that does not go down after a reasonable amount of time; persistent pain at the site; foul smelling discharges and pus, or numbness should all be investigated. Patients should request a copy of all records from the office of the dentist suspected of malpractice. Records are legally the property of the patient and most offices should have no problem releasing X-rays, charts, and other information. Some dentists may insist on releasing records only to another practice; but patients need to be persistent in obtaining what is rightfully theirs. However, patients should be careful not to divulge an intention to pursue damages in a malpractice lawsuit. An astute malpractice attorney will advise clients to simply indicate that the records are needed for a second opinion.
A good dental malpractice lawyer will either personally conduct a preliminary review of X-rays and patient charts or engage the services of a reputable orthodontist to render a professional opinion about the extent of injury. In any case, patients will want to hire a dental malpractice attorney who is keenly familiar with orthodontics, relies on other professional practitioners, or has a track record of success in winning cases. Attorneys should be knowledgeable about the human anatomy and the effects of negligent care in order to build a rock solid case on behalf of injured clients. While the case is being investigated, patients should refrain from denigrating dentists or oral surgeons suspected of malpractice. A countersuit for defamation of character could result if accusations negatively affect a practice or professional reputation. It is best to allow a legal representative to handle all correspondence with the dentist's office or attorney. Once a dental malpractice lawyer agrees to take a patient's case, it is recommended that the patient allow the lawyer to have full rein. Engaging in antagonistic communication will only serve to complicate matters and prevent favorable outcomes; but competent, knowledgeable legal counsel can help to ensure a win.
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