Kennett Square Dental Malpractice Lawyer

Dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons are expected to provide safe and effective care, but mistakes can lead to painful and lasting damage. If you suffered due to dental negligence, Kingbird Legal is here to fight for you. Our Kennett Square dental malpractice lawyer will help you pursue compensation for medical bills, corrective treatments, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Dental malpractice can involve misdiagnoses, surgical errors, nerve damage, or anesthesia mistakes. These injuries can result in chronic pain, infections, or permanent disfigurement. Holding negligent dental professionals accountable can help prevent future harm to other patients. We will thoroughly investigate your case, work with experts, and aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve. Call 484-289-4880 today for a free consultation, and let us fight for your rights.

Steps to Take If You’re Hurt During a Dental Procedure in Pennsylvania

Undergoing a dental procedure is usually a routine part of healthcare, and most people don’t expect anything to go wrong. However, there are cases where things don’t go as planned, and patients suffer injuries during treatments that were supposed to help them. Whether it’s a simple cleaning or a more complex procedure, dental professionals are expected to follow established standards of care. If you’ve been injured during a dental procedure, you may wonder what steps to take next. Understanding your rights and how to protect yourself is essential for handling the situation properly.

Recognize the Type of Injury

Not all dental injuries are the same, so the first thing you should do is assess the extent of your injury. The type of injury will largely determine the next steps you should take.

Common dental injuries include:

Nerve damage: This can happen when the dentist drills too deeply or uses tools incorrectly, leading to nerve irritation or permanent damage.
Tooth damage: In some cases, a dentist might inadvertently crack or chip a tooth during a procedure.
Soft tissue injuries: Cuts or lacerations to the gums, lips, or the inside of your mouth can occur if dental instruments are mishandled.
Infections: Poor hygiene or failure to sterilize instruments properly can lead to infections, which can be serious if left untreated.
Anesthesia complications: If anesthesia is administered improperly, it can result in adverse reactions, such as breathing problems or allergic reactions.

Recognizing the type of injury will help guide your decisions in the following steps. Even minor injuries should be reported to your dentist immediately.

Report the Injury to Your Dentist

The first step you should take after a dental injury is to report it to the dentist who performed the procedure. This may seem obvious, but it’s essential to keep the lines of communication open. In some cases, the dentist might be able to treat the injury or provide you with appropriate care to minimize any complications.

Additionally, informing the dentist about the injury can serve as a way to document the event. Be specific about how the injury occurred and any symptoms you’re experiencing. For example, if you’re feeling pain, swelling, or have difficulty moving your jaw, let your dentist know right away. The sooner you report the issue, the better the chances of mitigating any long-term effects.

In some cases, a dentist might admit fault or take responsibility for the injury. However, it’s also possible that the dentist or their office may deny that the injury is their fault, which can make the next steps more complicated.

Seek Medical Attention

Even if the injury appears minor, it’s always a good idea to seek medical attention if you experience anything out of the ordinary. Depending on the severity of the injury, it might be necessary to consult with a physician or a specialist. For instance, if you experience significant pain, swelling, or signs of an infection, you should see a doctor immediately.

If the injury involves nerve damage, ongoing pain, or long-term complications, you may need to see a specialist such as a neurologist or an oral surgeon. Taking swift action to seek treatment will help ensure your injury is documented by a healthcare professional outside the dental practice, which could be important later if you choose to pursue legal action.

Document the Incident

One of the most important things you can do after being injured during a dental procedure is to keep thorough records of the incident. This documentation can be critical if you later decide to pursue a claim for compensation. Start by noting the date and details of the procedure and any injuries you sustained. Here are a few examples of important records to keep:

Medical records: These documents should reflect the treatment you received for your injury, including any doctor’s visits, medications prescribed, and the results of any diagnostic tests.
Photographs: If there are visible signs of injury, such as bruising or swelling, take photographs. These images can serve as evidence if needed.
Correspondence: Keep copies of any emails or letters sent to the dentist’s office about the injury. If you made a phone call, take notes on what was said during the conversation.
Witnesses: If anyone else was present during the procedure, ask if they would be willing to provide a statement about what happened.

This documentation will be valuable if you need to prove the injury was caused by negligence or improper care.

Consider Your Legal Options

If you believe the injury resulted from negligence, you might have the right to file a personal injury claim. In Pennsylvania, dental malpractice falls under medical malpractice law, and proving a claim involves showing that the dentist failed to meet the standard of care required by their profession. For instance, if a dentist used faulty equipment or made an error in judgment that led to your injury, you may have grounds for a claim.

To pursue a malpractice case, you will need to show the following:

Duty of care: The dentist had a responsibility to provide care according to accepted standards of dentistry.
Breach of duty: The dentist did not meet the standard of care expected, either by performing the procedure incorrectly or by failing to take necessary precautions.
Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injury.
Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial damages due to the injury.

If you think you have a case, it’s best to consult with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in medical malpractice claims. A lawyer will be able to review the facts, advise you on whether you have a viable claim, and guide you through the legal process. Keep in mind that Pennsylvania has a statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims, which means you must file a lawsuit within a specific time frame (usually two years from the date of the injury).

Be Prepared for a Long Process

If you decide to pursue a claim, be aware that the process can take time. Medical malpractice cases, including dental malpractice, can be complex. The dentist may dispute liability, and you may need expert testimony to support your case. Your lawyer can help you understand the process, gather evidence, and work with medical experts who can testify about the standard of care.

It’s also important to know that many malpractice cases are settled out of court. This means you might reach a financial settlement without going to trial. However, even if the case is settled, it can still take months or longer to negotiate an appropriate settlement that fairly compensates you for your injuries.

Know What You Can Recover

If you win a dental malpractice case or settle, you may be entitled to compensation for various types of damages. This can include:

Medical bills: The cost of medical treatment for your injury, including follow-up visits to doctors and specialists.
Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain caused by the injury.
Lost wages: If you missed work because of your injury, you may be able to recover lost income.
Future care: If your injury requires ongoing medical care, you may be entitled to compensation for future expenses.

The goal is to help you recover the costs associated with the injury and help you move forward.

Holding Negligent Dentists Accountable in Kennett Square

Injuries during a routine dental procedure can be distressing, but understanding how to handle the situation can make a significant difference in your recovery and in protecting your legal rights. If you experience a dental injury, it’s essential to report it to your dentist, seek medical attention, document the incident thoroughly, and consider your legal options. By taking these steps, you can ensure that you’re properly cared for and that you’re in a strong position if you choose to pursue a claim for compensation. Consulting a personal injury attorney can help guide you through this. Kingbird Legal is ready to fight for you. Our Kennett Square dental malpractice attorney will work to recover compensation for your injuries. Call 484-289-4880 today for a free consultation, and let us advocate for you.