Dental Malpractice Attorney in Waterbury

Holding Negligent Dentists Accountable

Dental malpractice, like general medical malpractice, involves a patient not receiving proper treatment from a professional. Dental procedures can be very complicated — any negligence during preparation or throughout the course of treatment could cause injury or illness. Like medical doctors, dentists have a duty to provide quality care to their patients.

People who are harmed because of a dentist’s failure to follow the proper processes could be entitled to compensation. Our Waterbury dental malpractice lawyer has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injury victims. Contact us to discuss the details of your case.

To schedule a free consultation with our legal team, complete our contact form or call (203) 528-0152.

What Constitutes Dental Malpractice?

In the state of Connecticut, dental malpractice occurs when a dentist deviates from accepted standards of care, either through improper procedures or by failing to deliver adequate quality care. If you or someone you know has suffered injuries due to a dentist's negligence, it is crucial to be aware of the potential for seeking compensation.

Instances of dental medical malpractice can vary in nature and severity. They may include, but are not limited to:

• Procedural Errors: Dental malpractice can occur when a dentist fails to follow proper procedures during treatments, surgeries, or dental interventions. Examples may involve improper administration of anesthesia, failure to adequately sterilize equipment, or incorrect placement of dental implants.
• Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Dentists have a responsibility to accurately diagnose oral health conditions and promptly provide appropriate treatment. If a dentist misdiagnoses a condition or delays necessary treatment, resulting in additional harm or complications, it could constitute dental malpractice.
• Negligent Treatment: Providing substandard care or failing to meet the expected level of professionalism may be considered dental malpractice. This includes situations where a dentist fails to address a patient's concerns, ignores warning signs of complications, or neglects to provide necessary follow-up care.
• Inadequate Informed Consent: Before any dental procedure, dentists must inform patients of potential risks, benefits, and alternatives, enabling them to make informed decisions. Failure to obtain proper informed consent or adequately communicate the potential outcomes of a treatment can be grounds for dental malpractice.

When faced with dental malpractice, the affected individual may have the right to pursue compensation. This may cover various damages, such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income, and any necessary future treatments or rehabilitative measures.

Can I Sue My Dentist for Negligence?

In order to sue a dentist, you must first establish that negligence was committed. This can be tough to accomplish on your own, however, dental malpractice lawyers have years of experience helping to guide them to the answers they need to get compensation for their clients.

A dental malpractice attorney can provide the necessary legal representation to those who have been injured due to negligence. The lawyer will thoroughly analyze the facts of a case and determine if malpractice has occurred. They can also help victims understand their legal rights and options for pursuing monetary damages. The attorney may even be able to negotiate with the insurance company on behalf of the injured party for an out-of-court settlement.

If you believe you or someone you know has been a victim of dental malpractice, it is essential to consult with a qualified attorney experienced in handling medical negligence cases. They can provide valuable guidance and help determine the viability of pursuing legal action.

Remember, understanding dental malpractice and your rights as a patient empowers you to seek justice and appropriate compensation for any harm caused by dental professionals.

Types of Dental Malpractice Complications and Injuries

Dental malpractice claims can involve any case of negligence during a dental procedure. Because the definition of dental malpractice is broad and up to interpretation, there are a variety types of situations that can be presented in a case.

Failure to diagnose is a type of dental malpractice that is not uncommon in medical malpractice cases. Due to a lack of knowledge, testing errors, or other factors, a dentist could incorrectly diagnose a patient’s condition and proceed with unnecessary treatment. A failure to diagnose can be detrimental, as the patient will not receive the care they need and could be injured by a medical procedure or medication they do not require. Anesthesia and Novocain are frequently used in dental surgeries and other dental procedures. Complications with these processes are common in dental malpractice cases as well. Other types of dental malpractice cases may include performing an incorrect procedure, improper extractions, and failure to treat infections.

Dental malpractice can result in issues such as:

• Implant complications & issues
• Disease and infection/sepsis
• Cancer
• Jaw fractures
• Bridge and crown injuries
• Tooth extraction injuries
• Root canal injuries
• Nerve (inferior alveolar nerve, buccal nerve) damage
• Endocarditis
• Novocain and anesthesia complications
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• Permanent numbness
• Wrongful death

Causes of Dental Malpractice

Dental malpractice can be caused by many of the same factors as standard medical malpractice cases: Understaffing, negligent hiring and supervision, inadequate training, and lack of resources are some examples. In cases of a dentist’s individual liability, simple carelessness or inexperience could be a cause of injuries.

It’s possible that someone other than your dentist or attending dental assistant could be partially liable for your injuries. Third parties who could share fault in a dental malpractice case may include the management of a dental practice, a testing company, or a business that manufactures drugs and medical devices.