Dental misdiagnosis can significantly impact oral health as it can result in incorrect treatment or neglect of a dental problem. This can take many forms, from missed conditions to incorrect diagnoses, prompting unnecessary treatments or delays in proper care, ultimately worsening treatable conditions.
Such misdiagnoses often lead to extended discomfort, complications, unnecessary procedures, and avoidable financial strain. If you’re experiencing these issues, you might be eligible to make a claim for dental misdiagnosis compensation against your dentist or dental hygienist.
Dealing with dental negligence can be an extremely distressing experience that affects both your physical and mental health. It can shatter the trust that you had built with your dentist and leave you unsure of what to do next, all while having to pay for additional treatment. This combination of physical discomfort, emotional distress, and financial burden can create an incredibly challenging situation for those suffering from dental misdiagnosis.
If you suspect that your dentist misdiagnosed or failed to diagnose your dental condition, leading to unnecessary pain or suffering, you may be able to file a dental misdiagnosis claim. It’s important to seek legal advice to determine if you have a case and what your options are.
To get further information, fill out our contact form below, or give us a call on 01254606008 to speak to a member of our helpful team today.
How Farleys can help with dental misdiagnosis claims
Our highly experienced dental misdiagnosis solicitors have effectively resolved cases for our clients for over 60 years. We understand the impact of dental misdiagnosis on your physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life, and we are committed to providing you with the support you need during these difficult times.
Our specialised dental misdiagnosis solicitors take a personalised approach to each case. We begin by having detailed discussions with you to understand your unique circumstances thoroughly. With this insight, we can guide you through the available legal options and help you to decide the best course of action.
We offer a complimentary initial consultation for potential dental misdiagnosis claims, where you can discuss your case with our solicitors. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at 01254606008 or via email to schedule a meeting.
What kind of damage can dental misdiagnosis cause?
Dental misdiagnosis can have serious consequences, leading to various types of damage that can affect both oral health and overall well-being. Some of the potential harms caused by dental misdiagnosis include:
- Prolonged pain or discomfort that negatively impacts daily life and causes distress.
- Incorrectly diagnosed conditions that worsen over time, leading to the escalation of dental issues that could have been treated effectively if diagnosed accurately and promptly.
- Delayed or incorrect treatment that leads to complications, potentially affecting oral and overall health if the dental issue worsens or spreads.
- Rectifying misdiagnosed dental problems that increase the patient’s financial burden due to additional treatments, surgeries, or corrective procedures.
- Dealing with prolonged pain, complications, and frustration from misdiagnosis that leads to emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of trust in dental professionals.
In severe cases, misdiagnosis may result in irreversible damage, including tooth loss or damage to oral tissues that could have been prevented with proper diagnosis and treatment. In these scenarios, dental malpractice, like misdiagnosis, can lead to dental misdiagnosis claims.
Am I eligible to make a dental negligence claim?
Every dentist is expected to offer adequate care to their patients. If you feel that you have suffered a dental misdiagnosis caused by negligence, you must prove that your dentist did not meet the expected standard of care.
However, proving dental negligence can be complicated, requiring significant evidence to show that your dentist’s care was below the accepted norm and that you suffered as a result. You may need to seek the opinion of medical experts with similar or higher expertise and training to strengthen your case. It is also necessary to demonstrate that you have experienced some form of harm – emotional or physical. Collecting supporting evidence can strengthen your case.
This could be in the form of:
- 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
Dealing with legal matters can be a stressful experience, but at Farleys, we understand that, so we take a friendly and transparent approach to every case. Our solicitors also avoid using complex legal jargon to make you feel comfortable and keep you well-informed throughout the process. We’re committed to providing the highest expertise and respect while handling your dental negligence claim.
Whenever possible, we offer to pursue claims on a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement, so you won’t have to worry about the costs unless your claim is successful. If you need initial guidance on starting your dental misdiagnosis claim, our dental negligence claims solicitors are always here to help. You can get in touch with a member of our team today at 01254606008 or schedule an appointment via email. We’re always ready to see how we can help!
What are the time limits for claiming dental negligence compensation?
If you think you have been a victim of dental negligence, you have three years from the date of your dental treatment to make a claim. However, in some cases, the effects of dental negligence may not become apparent until later. In these situations, you may have an additional three years from the “date of knowledge,” which is when you first became aware of the impact of dental negligence on you.
It can be challenging to determine the exact timelines, so we recommend contacting the solicitors at Farleys as soon as you suspect you may have a dental misdiagnosis claim. This proactive approach will enable us to handle your case promptly and efficiently.
Most cases do end up resolved outside of court, but if your case goes to court, we will provide unwavering support and guide you throughout the entire process.
What are the most common reasons for compensation claims for dentists?
While most dentists are well-trained professionals and carry out their work to high and accepted standards, unfortunately, things do sometimes go wrong. This can result in people getting misdiagnosed or not receiving a diagnosis when they should have. Some examples of more common dental misdiagnosis claims include:
- Failure to diagnose cavities: Dentists may overlook cavities in routine checkups, leading to untreated decay and complications.
- Misdiagnosis of gum disease: Failure to diagnose and treat periodontal disease can lead to serious oral and systemic health issues, including gum recession and tooth loss.
- Missed oral cancer diagnosis: Dentists may miss oral cancer signs, leading to delayed treatment.
- Misdiagnosis of TMJ Disorders: Issues related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be misdiagnosed, leading to inadequate treatment for jaw pain, clicking, or limited movement.
- Incorrect Root Canal Diagnoses: Misdiagnosing the need for a root canal can lead to unnecessary treatments or failure to address infection, resulting in complications.
Dental misdiagnosis can lead to mental and physical harm, which can be grounds for malpractice claims and dental misdiagnosis compensation. It is essential to understand that each case is unique, and the specifics of the misdiagnosis and its effects and severity depend on the individual circumstances.
Why choose Farleys Solicitors?
For over 60 years at Farleys Solicitors, we’ve provided legal services to clients throughout the UK. Our team of highly trained solicitors specialise in dental negligence claims, and we have the knowledge and expertise to address your concerns efficiently and transparently.
At Farleys, we understand that every case is unique and provide tailored advice to meet those specific needs. We strive to offer the most suitable course of action for your situation and often approach cases on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis.
If you require the assistance of one of our specialist dental negligence solicitors or have any questions about our services, please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can call us on 01254606008, use our website’s online chat feature, or email us at info@farleys.com, and a member of our expert team will be happy to help you!