Root Canal Claims Solicitors
A root canal treatment is a particularly complex type of dental treatment, and one that requires a great deal of skill, expertise and care from your dentist. The complexity of the operation means that there are a number of things that can potentially go wrong, and not every one of these instances will be grounds for a dental negligence claim.
However, if you can prove that your dentist acted in a reckless or careless way, and caused you unnecessary pain and suffering as a direct result, you may be able to claim compensation for a failed root canal.
Fill in our contact form below, or give us a call on 0330 828 3987 to speak to one of our friendly solicitors today.
How we can help with root canal claims at Farleys
We have more than six decades of experience to our name here at Farleys, and our expert dental negligence solicitors have a proven track record of resolving cases to our clients’ satisfaction. We understand the depth of the impact that negligent root canal treatments can have on your health, both physically and mentally, and the toll that this can take on your quality of life.
Our dental negligence solicitors therefore always begin by sitting down with you for a detailed discussion about your circumstances, so that we can learn everything we can about the background to your case. This can then help give us a solid basis to help you explore all your available legal options, and examine which one is most likely to bring you the most favourable outcome.
For free initial advice on pursuing a claim, feel free to get in touch with our dental negligence claims solicitors today on 0330 828 3987 or contact us by email to arrange an appointment.
What is a root canal treatment?
A root canal treatment, sometimes known as an endodontic treatment, is a procedure designed to remove an infection from inside a tooth, as these can be painful in the short term and may even develop into more serious issues (such as dental abscesses) in the long term.
In its simplest terms, a root canal treatment involves removing the infected pulp from inside the tooth, clearing the infection, and then ‘filling in’ the root canals inside the tooth. For the final step, the dentist will then add either a crown or filling to the tooth to help strengthen and protect it.
A root canal treatment is generally necessary when a tooth becomes infected because a bacteria has entered the nerve (or “pulp”) of the tooth. This may happen due to:
- Dental decay
- Leaking fillings, when the side of the filling doesn’t fit tightly against the tooth
- Physical trauma
A moderate to severe toothache is the most common sign that a root canal may be necessary.
There are also a few ways in which a root canal treatment can go wrong, including (but not limited to):
- Incomplete infection removal
- Breakages of dental instruments
- Root canal perforations
However, as we’ve touched on above, not every instance will constitute dental negligence. Unfortunately, despite a dentist’s best efforts, root canal treatments can sometimes fail – especially if the tooth was badly decayed in the first place.
What is classed as dental negligence in root canal treatments?
It’s widely recognised that most dentistry procedures carry with them a certain amount of risk, and indeed most dentists will take the time to sit patients down and explain these before the procedure begins.
However, even with these conversations, you may have grounds for a dental negligence root canal claim if you’ve endured unnecessary pain or suffering because the procedure was not performed to an acceptable standard, or if your dentist neglected their duty of care to you.
You may also be able to claim compensation for loss of earnings, or for the cost of any corrective procedures you may need to undertake.
Some common examples of dental negligence may happen when a dentist:
- Fractures an instrument inside the root canal, and fails to inform you
- Fails to fully remove the infection, or properly clear the root canal
- Perforates instruments through the side of the tooth
- Perforates the root of the tooth
- Fails to properly seal the root canal, leading to the risk of re-infection
- Has not gained informed consent to treatment
- Has not provided you with relevant information about alternative, less costly treatments
This is not an exhaustive list, but they do account for the majority of root canal claims that dental negligence solicitors often deal with.
Contact a Specialist in Dental Negligence Claims
Wherever possible, Farleys will pursue your claim on a ‘no win no fee’ basis. We appreciate that any kind of legal case can often be stressful to navigate, so our solicitors take care to provide a friendly, personable approach that’s free from unnecessary legal jargon – making it easy for you to get all the key information you need to make informed decisions about your case.
Whatever the details of your dental negligence claim, you can rely on us to handle your case with diligence, efficiency, and flawless expertise.
For free initial advice on pursuing a claim, get in touch with our dental negligence claims solicitors today on 0330 828 3987, or contact us by email to arrange an appointment.
[FAQs]
How long do I have to make a claim?
You generally have three years to make a claim. This period begins from the date you were injured, or from the “date of knowledge” – in other words, from the moment you became aware that you suffered an injury due to dental negligence.
This 3-year period is specified by the Limitation Act 1980, and it will apply to the majority of cases. However, if the case involves a minor, then the three year time limit begins from their 18th birthday, at which point they legally become an adult.
How long do root canal dental negligence claims take?
Timeframes can vary hugely between each individual case, but on average, a dental negligence claim can take anywhere between six months to three years to conclude.
It’s difficult to be more specific than that with regards to timescales, as it all depends on the complexity of the case, and the level of interaction (and co-operation) required from third parties such as insurers.
It’s worth highlighting that many cases are resolved well before they go to court, and our dental negligence solicitors will do everything they can to settle your case efficiently and to your satisfaction. If your case does end up going to court, you can count on us to be with you every step of the way.
Why choose Farleys Solicitors?
Farleys Solicitors is a friendly, trusted, and straight-talking firm with over 60 years of experience in serving clients all over the North West and nationwide. Our solicitors draw upon a wealth of knowledge and industry-specific expertise in order to answer all of your most pressing questions regarding dental negligence.
At Farleys Solicitors, we know that every situation is unique. That’s why, in addition to advising you on the best course of action, we also tailor our services to meet your specific needs. We may even choose to take your case on a no-win, no-fee basis.
If you need to speak with one of our specialist dental negligence solicitors about any of our services, feel free to give us a call on 0330 828 3987, contact us using the online chat feature on our website, or email us on info@farleys.com. We’re here to help!