Working Diligently For Clients Hurt By Negligent Dentists
Dental malpractice affects hundreds of people in the United States each year. By some estimates, about one in every 20 medical malpractice lawsuits are filed against dentists. While most dental patients receive quality care, those who are injured tend to experience long-term pain, illness and emotional impact from issues such as crowns and bridges, periodontal disease and orthodontics.
At MeehanLaw, LLC, our Fairfield County lawyers represent people injured by dental malpractice in Connecticut, seeking damages for the harm they’ve suffered. We are proven litigators who know what it takes to succeed in these complex cases. You can rely on us to consult with professional experts in the dental and medical fields who can deliver compelling testimony on your behalf.
Common Issues Leading To Dental Malpractice Lawsuits
Medical malpractice injury lawsuits stemming from dental treatments can arise during nearly any type of dental procedure, including those that are commonly applied. Our attorneys have represented clients with injuries related to:
- Tooth extractions – Complications from getting a tooth pulled may include injection site issues, excessive bleeding, nerve damage and perforations of sinuses and oral tissue.
- Dental infections – Infections can lead to blood poisoning, brain abscesses and heart issues, any of which may require hospitalization and surgery.
- Endodontic procedures – Root canals and similar procedures can lead to infection, sinus damage, nerve damage, blocked blood vessels and other problems.
- Dental implants – Infection and inadequate follow-up care can injure patients who’ve received dental implants.
- Crowns and bridges – Poorly placed and poorly attached bridges and crowns can lead to gaps that allow infection, pain and other issues.
- Periodontal disease – Dentists’ failure to diagnose gum disease is one of the most common sources of dental malpractice lawsuits.
- Orthodontics – Incorrectly installed braces and other corrective devices may lead to tooth loss, infection and nerve damage.
- Dental anesthesia – Anesthesia complications arise when the wrong type of anesthetic is used or when an anesthetic is administered in the wrong dosage.
- Oral cancer – A dentist’s failure to diagnose oral cancer can allow the disease to spread and potentially become fatal.
Proving dental malpractice requires showing that a dentist failed in his or her duty to treat you according to accepted standards of professional care, so you are best served by enlisting the help of an experienced attorney. The lawyers at MeehanLaw, LLC, have decades of experience in this specialized field of law and are ready to assess your situation and advise you of your legal options. We will pursue compensation that addresses medical expenses, lost wages and other losses caused by a dentist’s malpractice.
How Connecticut’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule Affects Damages
Connecticut follows what is known as the modified comparative negligence rule. That means a plaintiff can recover monetary damages in a personal injury lawsuit as long as the plaintiff is not found to be 51 percent or more at fault. The compensation awarded, if any, will be reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault. On the other hand, if the majority of the fault (51 percent or more) lies with the plaintiff, then he or she cannot recover any compensation. When we advise you on a potential claim, we will investigate thoroughly and consult with dental professionals and other experts to assess the percentage of fault, if any, you may bear so that we can seek the maximum possible damage amount for your injuries.
When A Dental Patient’s Own Negligence May Come Into Play
In dental malpractice cases where the defendant alleges comparative fault, the courts tend to focus on what occurred before and after the patient received treatment. They may look for examples of patient liability such as:
- Providing false medical history information prior to receiving treatment
- Failing to follow the dentist’s or oral surgeon’s instructions before or after treatment
- Not telling the truth about the cause and nature of the injuries
For example, after a tooth is pulled, the dentist may warn a patient not to eat hard foods for a period of time because doing so could cause the extraction site to become damaged and infected. In this situation, the defense could argue that the patient’s own actions are at least partly to blame for the infection and any resulting complications such as blood poisoning. Likewise, if a patient is told not to engage in strenuous activity, such as heavy lifting, following oral surgery to prevent bleeding complications but the patient ignores that warning, their refusal to abide by the dentist’s instructions could mitigate against any claim for injury that results. With extensive experience filing dental malpractice claims for Connecticut clients, we will press for the damages you deserve even if you are found partially at fault for your injury.
Contact Our Connecticut Malpractice Firm About Your Dental Injury Claim
If you suffered an injury at the hands of a Connecticut dentist, the lawyers of MeehanLaw, LLC, in Fairfield County may be able to recover compensation for you through a malpractice lawsuit. For more information and to discuss your specific situation with an experienced injury lawyer, please call 203-664-8059 or contact us online.