Utah Dental Malpractice Attorneys

Like any medical professional, you trust your dentist or oral surgeon to provide safe, reasonable care and treatment. When they betray your trust, the results can be devastating. Dental treatment injuries can result in extreme pain and permanent damage. At best, you are likely to require extensive additional treatment to correct the damage you suffered. If you suffered injuries as a result of dental work performed by a Utah dentist, you may have the right to pursue legal action. You could be entitled to recover damages for your corrective treatment as well as lost wages and pain and suffering. Contact a Utah personal injury lawyer from William Rawlings & Associates.

What Is Dental Malpractice?

Dentists and other medical professionals sometimes make mistakes when providing treatment services to their patients. A mistake – even if you suffer injuries or damages as result – does not automatically indicate malpractice. Dentists must uphold a reasonable standard of care when treating their patients. The legal perspective on the reasonable standard of care is what another dentist with a background and experience similar to yours would have done in the same circumstances. If another dentist would have acted differently than your dentist under the same circumstances, you could be the victim of malpractice. The best way to determine whether you have a viable dental malpractice claim is to consult an attorney. An attorney can evaluate the details of your case and explain your options.  

Common Types of Dental Malpractice

Although every case is different, dental malpractice attorneys do encounter several types of malpractice frequently, including:

• Failure to diagnose,
• Delayed diagnosis,
• Incorrect diagnosis,
• Failure to refer to a specialist,
• Failure to properly supervise
• Wrongfully administered anesthesia,
• Improper follow-up care,
• Providing incorrect treatment,
• Providing unnecessary treatment,
• Providing fraudulent treatment, and
• Providing treatment without informed consent.

Although these are some of the most common types of malpractice committed by dentists and oral surgeons, you might have experienced a different incident. If you suffered any injury related to dental treatment, contact an attorney as soon as possible.  

Common Types of Dental Malpractice Injuries

Dental malpractice injuries that we commonly encounter include:

• Tooth loss,
• Dental drill injuries,
• Perforation of mouth tissues,
• Infection,
• Nerve damage,
• Jawbone fractures,
• Maxillary sinus exposure,
• Blood poisoning,
• Oral cancer, and
• Cardiac damage.

You may also have the right to pursue a dental malpractice claim for failed implants, bridges, crowns and other types of restorations, depending on the nature of your injuries. Talking to a Utah malpractice attorney will help you determine the best course of action. If you lost a loved one as a result of dental treatment or oral surgery, contact our office today. We can assist you with a wrongful death claim. You may be entitled to recover compensation for the victim’s funeral expenses as well as your own losses, such as:

• Loss of companionship and care,
• Loss of consortium,
• Loss of financial assistance,
• Loss of inheritance,
• Pain and suffering, and
• Emotional trauma.

Although no settlement or jury award can bring your loved one back, pursuing a claim and help you get justice for your losses and provide peace of mind for your future.  

How Can a Dental Malpractice Attorney Help You?

When you sustain physical harm due to the wrongful actions of another party, a personal injury attorney can help you recover compensation for your damages. In the case of dental malpractice claims, having an experienced attorney on your side provides a number of significant benefits. Your attorney will protect your legal rights and fight to recover the maximum possible compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. Depending on the details of your case, you may be entitled to recovering damages that include:

• Medical care and treatment costs,
• Lost wages and benefits,
• Future treatment costs,
• Future lost income,
• Pain and suffering, and
• Emotional trauma.

If you suffered any permanent damage, scarring, disfigurement or disability, you may be entitled to recover compensation for diminished earning capacity, diminished quality of life and other damages specific to your case. Your attorney will build the strongest possible case on your behalf and file a claim with the dentist’s malpractice insurance carrier. Ideally, your lawyer will successfully negotiate an acceptable settlement with the insurer. However, if the insurance company does not provide a reasonable settlement offer, your attorney may recommend filing a civil lawsuit and pursuing your claim in court.  

Talk to a Utah Dental Malpractice Lawyer Today

Time is of the essence if you suffered injuries caused by a dentist or oral surgeon. Before you provide any statement to the medical practitioner or their insurance company, contact the law office of William Rawlings & Associates. We offer a no-cost, no-obligation consultation for personal injury victims. We will answer your questions, explore your options and help you get started with the legal claim process. Call us at 801-553-0505 or contact us online now to talk to a Utah dental malpractice attorney.