Most people visit the dentist expecting routine care and a healthy smile. But substandard dental treatment can cause severe and long-lasting damage. Poor care can even affect your ability to eat, speak, and live a comfortable life. Our firm recently represented a client through this exact crisis. We successfully resolved her claim through a confidential settlement.
The Wrong Fit
Our client trusted the same dental practice for years. When she needed routine restorative work including crowns and a bridge, she figured they were the obvious choice. Instead of fixing her teeth, her dentist damaged them. He left open seams between her natural teeth and the applied crowns. These gaps allowed in bacteria and rapidly spread decay.
One crown fell off again and again after her dentist repeatedly failed to fit it. No matter how many times he tried re-cementing the same loose crown simply would not work. The dentist also built a defective bridge that failed to function. When he tried forcing the bridge out, he damaged her mouth more.
These errors caused a severe and long lasting infection. Substandard care set our client back years and thousands in extensive operations by specialists to repair the damage.
The Root of Dental Malpractice
A single bad result does not mean malpractice. Dental procedures always carry inherent risks.
Dental malpractice occurs when a provider strays from accepted medical standards, harming a patient. Our client’s case involved an obvious pattern of negligence. A competent dentist doesn’t install loose crowns, defective bridges, or spread infections.
The most common dental malpractice cases involve:
- Unaddressed infections and gum disease
- Defective crowns and bridges
- Failed tooth extractions or implant placements
- Permanent nerve damage
- Repeated procedures that worsen the original problem
Dental professionals ignoring these issues forces their patients to endure months of painful corrective surgery. If this has happened to you, make sure filing a claim with a dental malpractice attorney is added to your to-do list.
How We Build Unbreakable Claims
Although the settlement terms on our case remain confidential, the legal process of these types of cases follow a clear path.
First, our team gathers your complete treatment history, dental images, and billing records. We present these files to independent dental experts. These experts evaluate the treatment and outline the care required to fix the damage.
Next, we draft the formal complaint and file the lawsuit. We build the case through formal discovery and depose the treating dentists. During this whole process, we focus on the impact of your injury. This includes additional corrective care, physical pain, and time lost.
If You Have Suffered From Substandard Dental Care, Follow These Steps!
The State of Kentucky has strict deadlines on filing personal injury claims. Waiting too long can cost you your recovery.
- Collect and save all treatment records, bills, and X-rays
- Seek corrective treatment from a qualified specialist.
- Contact an attorney to protect your legal rights.
Our office handles dental malpractice on a contingency basis. You pay no legal fees unless we secure money for you.
Feel free to call us at 502-771-0588 or email aaronkemper@lawhelplouisville.com.