Dental Malpractice in Ohio

Like all other medical professionals, dentists and dental hygienists have a legal obligation to provide their patients with adequate quality care. Unfortunately, far too often, dental professionals fail to live up to this responsibility, harming patients due to their carelessness or negligence. Indeed, according to the most recent data from the American Board of Legal Medicine, nearly one in every six medical malpractice claims involves dental care.

If you were a victim of dental malpractice in Ohio, you deserve full and fair compensation for your injuries. To obtain this compensation, you should not go through the legal claims process all on your own; you need to protect yourself by seeking immediate assistance from an experienced Toledo medical malpractice attorney.

Common Examples of Dental Malpractice

Dental malpractice can come in a wide variety forms. Though, there is one thing that all types of dental malpractice have in common: Malpractice always adversely affects the health of the patient. As a person’s mouth and teeth are very sensitive, not only can mistreatment be painful, but it can cause infections and severe long-term oral health problems. Some specific examples of dental malpractice include:

• Misdiagnosis and failure to diagnose problems;
• The performance of an unnecessary, invasive operation;
• Using unsterilized or incorrect equipment;
• Failure to prevent infection;
• Rough treatment of teeth or gums;
• Breaking or damaging a tooth;
• Improper extraction of a tooth; and
• The failure to properly administer anesthesia.

Proving Dental Malpractice in Ohio

If your dental treatment, procedure or operation went wrong, and you sustained mouth injuries as a result, you may be entitled to substantial financial compensation. All dental malpractice claims must be assessed on a case-by-case basis. It is not always easy for victims to know whether or not malpractice occurred. As such, if you suspect that you were a victim of malpractice, you need to have your case reviewed by an experienced attorney. Your attorney will be able to review your medical records and investigate your claim to determine if your dentist was negligent. To hold your dentist legally liable for your injuries, your attorney must prove the following four legal elements of malpractice:

• There was a valid doctor-patient relationship;
• The dental care you received was substandard;
• The substandard care caused your injuries; and
• You have real damages, worthy of compensation.

Request Your Free Legal Consultation Today

At Lafferty, Gallagher & Scott, LLC, our dedicated medical malpractice attorneys have extensive experience handling Ohio dental malpractice claims. If you were a victim of dental malpractice, please call us today at (419) 241-5500 for immediate legal assistance. From our office in Maumee, OH, we represent medical malpractice victims throughout the region, including in Lucas County, Wood County and Fulton County.