Your dentist is responsible for ensuring that they perform thorough oral health examinations during check-ups and treatments. They must exercise the utmost care and keep a detailed record of your patient history. This enables your dentist to be vigilant for any signs of dental conditions, including tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and other issues. By paying attention to your oral health, your dentist can help prevent problems from developing and provide prompt treatment if necessary.
A missed or delayed diagnosis in dental care can have severe physical and mental health impacts and can even cause irreversible damage to your oral health and wellness. If you have experienced a delay in diagnosis or had your oral health condition missed because of inadequate examination by your dentist, you may be eligible for compensation due to dental negligence.
If you’re considering starting a dental negligence claim, you can fill out our contact form below or call 01254606008 to speak with one of our friendly solicitors today.
How we can help with delayed dental diagnosis claims at Farleys
At Farleys, we have more than 60 years of experience handling dental negligence cases, including cases of delayed diagnosis in dental care. Our team of expert solicitors have a proven track record of successfully resolving such cases, ensuring our clients are satisfied with the outcome. We recognise and understand the significant impact a missed or delayed dental diagnosis can have on both physical and mental well-being, as well as your overall quality of life. So you can feel rest assured that you’re in safe hands.
Our team of dental negligence solicitors will start the process of building your case by conversing with you to understand your specific situation. This conversation will help us gather all the necessary details, forming the basis for exploring your legal options. Based on this information, we can then determine the best course of action for your circumstances.
What kind of damage can a delayed or missed dental diagnosis cause?
A timely and accurate diagnosis is central to preventing the harmful effects of delayed or missed diagnoses. A delay or missed dental diagnosis can significantly worsen oral health conditions, leading to increased pain, infections, or the progression of diseases such as oral cancer. Failure to diagnose oral cancer can result in a situation where what may have initially been a more straightforward fix escalates into a more complex and invasive procedure due to delayed detection. This can lead to more significant discomfort and require more invasive treatment. Additionally, a delayed or missed dental diagnosis can lead to higher treatment costs due to the need for more extensive interventions, which can put you under even more unnecessary stress. Therefore, it is crucial to detect oral cancer or any other conditions early to ensure better chances of successful treatment.
Dental malpractice or negligence, such as missed or delayed diagnosis, can result in delayed diagnosis in dental care claims.
Am I eligible to make a dental negligence claim?
If you believe that your dentist has not provided you with the appropriate care, you may be able to claim for dental negligence. Every dentist is responsible for ensuring that they provide their patients with a satisfactory standard of care.
To establish a claim for oral cancer diagnosis delays caused by negligence or any other type of missed diagnosis or delayed dental diagnosis, you must prove that your dentist did not meet the expected standard of care. This will require strong evidence demonstrating that your dentist’s care fell below the accepted norm. To prove negligence, you may need to obtain the opinion of medical experts with similar or higher expertise and training. It is important to note that proving negligence can be a complex process. Additionally, if you wish to seek compensation, you will need to prove that you suffered directly due to your dentist’s subpar care.
To strengthen your case as much as possible, start by gathering as much supporting evidence as you can, such as:
- Dental records
- Statements from witnesses
- A second opinion from another expert
- Relevant photos, such as those showing your injuries
- Financial records
Contact a Specialist in Dental Negligence Claims
At Farleys, we understand that navigating legal matters can be daunting, and we’re here to help make the process as stress-free as possible. Our team of solicitors takes a friendly and transparent approach to your case, avoiding complex legal jargon so that you feel comfortable and informed every step of the way. We are committed to providing the highest level of expertise and respect when handling your dental negligence claim. Our goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
In addition, we may offer to pursue claims on a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement whenever possible. This means you will only have to worry about the costs if your claim is successful.
If you need help starting a dental negligence claim, please get in touch with our friendly solicitors. You can reach us by phone at 01254606008 or by email to schedule an appointment.
What are the time limits for claiming dental negligence compensation?
It’s important to note that a dental negligence claim must typically be started within three years from the date of the dental treatment you received. The UK legal system acknowledges that the consequences of dental negligence may not always be apparent immediately. Therefore, in some cases, an extra three-year period may be granted from the “date of knowledge,” which is when you first became aware that dental negligence had affected you.
Calculating exact timelines can be challenging. We recommend contacting us as soon as you suspect you have a claim to ensure the prompt and efficient handling of your case.
Although most cases are resolved outside of court, if your case proceeds to court, you can rely on us for steadfast support and guidance throughout the process.
What are the most common reasons for compensation claims from dentists?
Dental negligence claims can result from various circumstances, and the length of time it takes to resolve such claims can vary depending on the unique aspects of each case. Some scenarios are more common or severe than others.
Here are some examples of reasons you may claim:
- You experienced a delayed diagnosis in dental care.
- Physically or emotionally distress caused by your dentist’s failure to diagnose oral cancer.
- You have experienced oral cancer diagnosis delays.
- You are currently suffering from a condition that could have been easily treated or prevented if diagnosed in the early stages.
Why choose Farleys Solicitors?
At Farleys Solicitors, we’ve been serving clients throughout the UK, particularly in the North West, for more than six decades, establishing ourselves as a reputable firm. Our solicitors possess extensive knowledge of dental negligence claims, enabling us to address your concerns promptly and transparently.
We understand that each case is unique, and therefore, at Farleys Solicitors, we provide personalised advice tailored to your specific needs and offer guidance on the most appropriate course of action. What’s more, whenever possible, we operate on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis, ensuring that you receive cost-effective legal services.
If you require the assistance of one of our experienced dental negligence solicitors or have any questions about our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can reach us by phone at 01254606008, use our website’s online chat feature, or email us at info@farleys.com. Our friendly team will be happy to help!