If you have been injured due to the negligence of a dentist, you may be able to claim compensation for dental negligence. Dental negligence compensation claims can only be made if people have received substandard dental treatment which has directly led to some form of injury. Not all injuries acquired at the dentist are due to a healthcare worker's negligence, and not all cases of negligence lead to injury.
Examples of dental negligence claims
Dentist negligence claims generally come under one of two categories. These are:
- Substandard technique when conducting dental work
- Failing to diagnose or treat health problems promptly
Some of the different examples of these dental negligence claims include: …show more content…
Most claims are settled at an early stage - dentists or insurers admit their liability and the victim receives a compensation settlement without going to court, or further investigation into the circumstances of the injury show that it was not caused by the dentist's …show more content…
People who use claims management companies to handle their case will not be able to do so with the help of the company - they will need to contact a dental negligence solicitor if they are to be represented in their court case.
Dental negligence claims can be difficult and complex, requiring both specialist medical knowledge and specialist legal knowledge. Some people will therefore have to visit an independent dentist or dental health expert to receive an examination, as this will allow dental negligence solicitors to determine the claimant's prognosis, the extent of their injury, and the cost of reparative treatment. A barrister may also have to draft court documents about a person's dental negligence claim, while solicitors will have to send claims forms and other forms to the court and to the defendant.
Even if court proceedings begin, most dental negligence claims do not reach the trial stage. If a claim is to go to trial, dental negligence solicitors will discuss the evidence with the claimant and present this evidence in court. The hearing will be listened to by a trial judge, who will hear evidence from both parties before deciding whether or not the claimant has a valid claim. If they decide that the claim has merit, they will also decide the overall value of the