We trust medical professionals to treat and diagnose medical conditions and help improve our health. The sad reality is that many professionals fail to provide the proper care standard and worsen their patients’ conditions. This type of conduct is known as medical malpractice and is one of the leading causes of injury in the U.S.
Any medical professional, including dentists, can commit malpractice. However, certain types of dental procedures are more likely to involve malpractice than others.
Common Types of Dental Malpractice
Dentists can commit many mistakes and errors that could result in malpractice. The most common examples include:
- Delayed treatment
- Delayed diagnosis
- Missed diagnosis
- Wrong procedure
- Wrong surgical site
- Failure to refer to specialists
Dental malpractice can result in debilitating oral pain and, in severe cases, life-threatening infections.
You have rights if you believe your dentist is responsible for malpractice after a surgery or treatment. An experienced Chicago medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your legal options.
Top 3 Reasons to Sue a Dentist for Malpractice
Dental malpractice can take many forms, but the following are some of the most common reasons patients pursue legal action against a dentist in Illinois:
1. Complications From Tooth Extractions
If not performed correctly, tooth extractions can lead to several serious complications. Common issues include nerve damage, infections, and sinus issues.
Nerve damage may result in chronic pain, frequent numbness, and/or loss of taste in certain areas of the mouth. Infections, often the result of a failure to provide antibiotics or provide adequate post-operative care, can require hospitalization – and even result in wrongful death.
2. Errors During Endodontic Procedures
Endodontic treatments, such as root canals, require extensive training and skill. Mistakes during these procedures can cause serious harm, including:
- Nerve damage or sinus perforation
- Severe infections that, in rare cases, can spread and cause brain abscesses or permanent brain damage
- Air embolisms
Some cases of malpractice result from unnecessary endodontic procedures or procedures on the wrong tooth/teeth.
3. Dental Implant Complications
Dental implant procedures carry risks. This technical procedure requires dental surgeons to drill artificial tooth roots into the jawbone, which will eventually fuse with the jaw.
If improperly planned or executed, dental implants can cause catastrophic harm. Some of the most common issues include:
- Implant failure due to poor treatment planning or surgical errors
- Infections at the implant site become life-threatening if left untreated
Proper post-surgical care is critical for patients receiving dental implants to avoid infection.
Other Reasons to File a Malpractice Lawsuit Against a Dentist
Other common reasons for dental malpractice suits include:
- Periodontal disease
- Bridge and crown treatment
- Orthodontics
- Anesthesia-related complications
- Injections
Any dental procedure where a dentist fails to provide the proper standard of care could justify a malpractice claim. An experienced lawyer can help you understand whether you were a victim of malpractice.
How to Prove Dental Malpractice in Illinois
Like medical malpractice, dental malpractice is a type of professional negligence case involving a medical standard of care. You will have to prove four elements to win your case:
- Duty: You must show your dentist owed you a duty of care. All medical providers have a duty to avoid harming patients.
- Breach of Duty: You must show your dentist failed to adhere to the proper standard of care. The standard of care is based on what a reasonably competent and skilled healthcare provider with similar training and experience would do in the same situation. This element requires expert medical testimony.
- Causation: You must prove the breach caused your injury or worsened condition.
- Damages: You must show you suffered damages as a result of your dentist’s conduct.
A medical malpractice lawyer in Illinois can help you develop a strategy for holding a dentist liable for your injuries or harm.
Contact the Chicago Medical Malpractice Law Firm of Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for Help Today
For more information, please contact the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today. We offer free consultations.
We proudly serve Cook County, Will County, Kendall County, and its surrounding areas:
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Chicago Office
10 S La Salle St STE 1230, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone:(312) 726-1616
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Chicago
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 41.8815493,-87.6327515
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Joliet Office
195 Springfield Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: (815) 726-1616
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Joliet
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 41.5254295,-88.1381011
