After getting a cavity filled or any other standard dental procedure, it is not uncommon to feel uncomfortable for a short time. However, in some unfortunate cases, the results of a trip to the dentist go far beyond mild discomfort. Severe or long lasting pain could mean something has gone wrong and that you may have been a victim of dental malpractice. If you or a loved one is experiencing pain and suffering as a result of dental malpractice, it is time to contact a New Jersey law firm with expertise in malpractice cases like Gold, Albanese, Barletti & Locascio L.L.C. to advise you on your rights and options.
What Constitutes Dental Malpractice in New Jersey?
When it comes to dental treatments, as well as any other medical procedures, the doctor must follow certain guidelines. These guidelines are called the reasonable standard of care, which essentially states that the dentist is held to the standard of what another dentist of reasonable competency and skill would have done under similar circumstances in the course of performing the same procedure or giving similar care. If a dentist deviated from standard procedures or failed to provide a proper level of care and this resulted in serious personal injury, then they may be liable for a dental malpractice lawsuit.
Examples of Dental Malpractice
There are many situations in which dental malpractice can occur. Here is a list of some common examples:
- Error in Treatment – This can occur as a result of performing a procedure that the patient is not physically healthy enough to withstand or as a result of a misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose an issue.
- Failure to Check Up on Patients – If a dentist fails to check up on patients and assess their well being, then they may have committed dental malpractice.
- Failure to Use Proper Techniques – This occurs when a dentist performs a procedure they are not properly trained in and complications arise as a result.
- Failure to Refer to a Specialist – If a patient has an ailment that requires specialized medical attention but the dentist fails to refer them to the proper professionals or attempts it themselves despite needing specific care, they may be liable for dental malpractice.
- Dental Delay – If complications arise as a result of delays in dental treatment, especially those that require multiple steps, there may be a case for negligence on the part of the dentist.
- Failure to Take Medical History into Account – If the patient has an adverse reaction to a drug related to their treatment and administration of the drug is in conflict with the patient’s medical history, negligence may have occurred.
Types of Dental Malpractice Injuries
These are some of the many potential injuries that can arise out of improper dental care.
- Loss of sense of taste
- Permanent numbness in the tongue, jaw or other areas of the mouth
- Death or injury due to improper administration of anesthesia
- Structural damage to the jaw, chin, lips or tongue
- Infections due to negligent root canal or bridge prosthesis
- Injury due to faulty dental devices
- Loss of teeth or bone support
- Gum disease
- Chronic, debilitating pain
- Unnecessary or improper extractions
- Failure to diagnose serious conditions such as oral cancer
If you have suffered from these or other serious conditions as a result of dental treatment, you may be a victim of dental malpractice.
Contact Experienced NJ Dental Malpractice Lawyers
At the law offices of Gold, Albanese, Barletti & Locascio L.L.C., we are careful when selecting which legal cases we pursue. We screen potential dental malpractice cases before deciding to file a lawsuit against medical practitioners such as dentists, oral surgeons and their staff. This screening process consists of:
- Detailed interviews with the prospective clients
- Obtaining and examining all medical records and diagnoses
- Consulting with dental experts and specialists
Our firm takes pride in only prosecuting malpractices that we feel confident are well supported by credible and objective medical evidence. We also employ only certified dental experts and make sure they are giving an honest and ethical review of the case.
We believe that patient safety is an important and valuable priority. We know how important it is for the injured party to be compensated for pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages due to dental malpractice. You can trust us to give you the very best representation for your particular dental malpractice case. We have convenient offices in Red Bank and Morristown, NJ and serve clients throughout the state.