Infections Caused by Dental Malpractice

Infections following a dental procedure or dental surgery are not expected but also not uncommon. While some infections are unavoidable, others result from errors by a dentist or someone on his or her staff, such as a failure to treat complications arising from a procedure. When a patient suffers an infection caused by dental malpractice, he or she may be entitled to monetary compensation. Dental malpractice lawsuits are complicated, so a patient may feel daunted by the prospect of taking legal action. For people who suffer serious infections that require hospitalization, incision, and drainage, however, the resulting medical costs, lost earnings, and pain and suffering may warrant consideration of a dental malpractice lawsuit. This is where Rockland County dental malpractice lawyer Valerie J. Crown can assist you. If you or a loved one has suffered a debilitating dental infection in Greater New York, and you want to consider your legal options, we are here to provide personalized and comprehensive assistance.

As in standard medical malpractice cases against physicians and other health care workers, a patient who seeks to hold a dentist liable for injuries caused by an act of dental malpractice has the burden of proving his or her case. Most dental and medical malpractice cases require expert testimony. This means that the plaintiff must be able to find a qualified and licensed dentist who is willing to examine his or her file and render a professional opinion as to the applicable standard of care. The witness must also be willing to testify in court that the defendant dentist breached this duty of care and that the plaintiff suffered an infection caused by dental malpractice as a proximate result. An attorney who regularly handles New York dental malpractice cases can help the plaintiff obtain his or her dental records and consult with potential expert witnesses. At trial, the defendant dentist may testify on his or her own behalf, denying that an act of malpractice occurred. He or she may also present expert testimony by additional dentists to the effect that no malpractice occurred.

The jury has the task of deciding which testimony to believe when witnesses contradict each other or offer different professional opinions. If the jury finds in the plaintiff’s favor, the plaintiff may be awarded compensation to pay for any dental or medical bills that the plaintiff incurred due to the injuries caused by the malpractice, reimbursement for lost wages due to the plaintiff’s inability to work on account of the infection caused by dental malpractice, and money to compensate the plaintiff for his or her pain and suffering.

Dental malpractice cases arising due to a serious infection can be difficult and complex. Talking to a seasoned dental malpractice attorney as soon as the plaintiff suspects that his or her injuries were caused by a dental provider’s negligence can increase the chances of success as the case proceeds toward trial. At the Law Firm of Valerie J. Crown, we help clients in Rockland County as well as Westchester, Dutchess, Ulster, and Orange Counties and other areas of New York State pursue fair compensation following an act of dental negligence that results in a serious infection, a dental nerve injury, or another form of harm to a patient. For a free consultation, call us at 845.708.5900 or use Valerie’s cell phone at 845.598.8253, or contact us online. Most of our dental malpractice and other medical malpractice cases are handled on a contingency fee contract. We understand that the injuries associated with an act of dental malpractice can result in financial difficulties that make it difficult for an injured person to pay legal fees upfront, so our fee arrangement provides for us to receive a portion of the plaintiff’s settlement or judgment as our legal fee when the case is over.