Dentists are trusted medical professionals, and when we visit them, we expect they will hold our dental health to the same standard as they would if they were treating a family member, or were themselves being treated. Fortunately, this is generally the case, and dentists are responsible for keeping patients healthy and their smiles clean all across the country. However, sometimes dentists are negligent, and when they are, patients can be seriously injured as a result. If you are being accused of medical malpractice, you cannot afford to wait to speak with an attorney. If you are accused of medical malpractice, here are some of the questions you may have:
What is medical malpractice?
Not every mistake a medical professional makes is technically due to negligence. Sometimes a dentist will simply make an informed decision and the patient did not respond positively, as others have in the past. For you, a dentist, to be convicted of medical malpractice, a patient must prove that he or she was, in fact, your patient and that you, therefore, owed him or her a duty of care. A patient must also prove that you deviated from the accepted standard of care, causing him or her to become injured as a result. From there, a patient must prove that those injuries have a significant impact on his or her life. An experienced attorney can help stave off the charges and allow you to continue your practice.
What are some of the most common injuries sustained following an incident of dental malpractice?
- Infections stemming from various unsanitary or incorrect treatment practices. These infections can lead to brain abscesses, cardiac complications, and blood poisoning. When patients suffer from severe dental infections, they may require hospitalization or surgical intervention.
- Patients injured as a result of a dentist’s failure to diagnose or treat certain diseases of the mouth
- Sinus and nerve damage from certain endodontic procedures
- Wrongful death due to improperly administered anesthesia
How does a medical malpractice lawsuit work?
If you are a dentist and are being accused of medical malpractice, you will be investigated by the Office of Professional Discipline, otherwise known as the OPD. An OPD investigation can potentially permanently terminate your right to practice. Do not let this happen. Hire an experienced and aggressive attorney to ensure you have someone fighting for your practice, tooth-and-nail.
Contact our experienced New York City firm
When a medical professional is accused of misconduct, it is essential that they retain strong legal representation. If you require a medical law attorney for your legal matters, call Paul E. Walker, an experienced New York City OPMC & OPD Lawyer. Please contact the Walker Medical Law firm to set up a free initial consultation. It may save your practice.
