Find a Solicitor for your

Dental Negligence Claims

Dental Negligence Claims

Experiencing dental treatment mistakes can be tough, both physically and emotionally. If you've suffered due to dental negligence, Lawhive is here to help.

Our network of experienced dental negligence solicitors is ready to assist you in claiming the compensation you deserve on a no win, no fee basis.

Contact our Legal Assessment Specialists today to start your claim.

• What is dental negligence?

• Can I make a claim against my dentist?

• Can I make a claim for nerve injury after dental surgery?

• Can I make a claim for oral cancer misdiagnosis?

• Can I claim dental negligence compensation if the accident happened abroad?

• Can I claim for dental negligence if I signed a consent form or waiver?

• Can I claim for cosmetic dental negligence?

• 4 reasons why you should make a dental negligence claim

• How to make a dental negligence claim

• What are the time limits for making a dental negligence claim?

• How long do dental negligence claims take?

• Will I need to have a medical assessment if I make a dental claim?

• Will I have to go to court?

• How much compensation can I get for a dental negligence claim?

What is dental negligence?

Dental negligence is where a dental professional's actions or oversights cause physical harm, affect your well-being or lead to financial losses.

Examples of dental negligence include:

• Delayed or misdiagnosis

• Nerve injuries during dental procedures

• Issues arising from cosmetic dentistry procedures

• Misdiagnosis of gum disease

• Mistakes during treatment

If any of these situations apply to you, get legal advice from a medical negligence solicitor, as you may have strong grounds to make a compensation claim.

Can I make a claim against my dentist?

If you believe your dentist was negligent in their treatment or care, you can make a claim whether they are private or NHS dentists.

The success of your claim depends on the strength of your case and the evidence you have available. If you're unsure if you have a case, or would like to find out how much compensation you could claim, contact our legal assessment team today.

Can I make a claim for nerve injury after dental surgery?

Nerve injuries can occur during dental procedures, such as extractions or root canal treatments.

If you think the nerve injury you've sustained was avoidable and caused by the negligence of the dental professional, you may be entitled to compensation.

Can I make a claim for oral cancer misdiagnosis?

Oral cancer misdiagnosis can have serious consequences, including delayed treatment and progression of the disease, which may entitle you to compensation.

Can I claim dental negligence compensation if the accident happened abroad?

If you were injured in the course of receiving dental treatment abroad, you may be able to pursue a claim through the legal system of the country where the negligence occurred.

Alternatively, if the dentist or dental facility involved has assets or insurance coverage in the UK, you may be able to bring a claim.

Can I claim for dental negligence if I signed a consent form or waiver?

Even if you signed a consent form, you can still make a dental negligence claim if you believe the dentist didn't provide proper care and you were harmed as a result.

While consent forms may outline the risks associated with a dental procedure and your agreement to undergo treatment, they do not absolve the dentist or dental professional from providing a reasonable standard of care.

The key factor in determining negligence is whether the dentist acted in a manner that falls below the accepted standard of care for their profession.

Can I claim for cosmetic dental negligence?

Cosmetic dental negligence can include errors or mistakes made during procedures such as teeth whitening, veneers, or dental implants, which can lead to physical harm, emotional distress, or financial loss.

You can claim cosmetic dental negligence if you believe that your cosmetic dental procedure was performed negligently and resulted in harm or injury.

4 reasons why you should make a dental negligence claim

Making a dental negligence claim is important for 4 key reasons

Compensation

If you've suffered harm or injury due to dental negligence, compensation can help cover the costs of any additional medical treatment, rehabilitation, or corrective procedures you may need. It can also provide financial support for any loss of earnings or other expenses incurred as a result of the negligence.

Accountability

Holding dental professionals accountable for their actions helps ensure that standards of care are upheld and patient safety is prioritised.

Your claim could help to prevent similar incidents from happening to others in the future.

Closure

Mistakes in dental treatment can be traumatic. Seeking justice through a dental negligence claim can provide a sense of closure and validation for the harm you've experienced. It can help you move forward and regain a sense of control over your situation.

Improvement of Standards

By bringing attention to instances of dental negligence, you contribute to the improvement of standards within the dental profession. This can lead to better training, protocols, and procedures to prevent future incidents.

How to make a dental negligence claim

To start your claim, get in touch with our legal assessment team for a free case evaluation. They can assess the strength of your case, explain your legal rights, and guide you through the claims process. In some cases, our network of medical negligence solicitors may be able to take your case on a no win, no fee basis to make it easier for you financially.

If you decide to go ahead with your claim, with the help of your solicitor you should submit a formal complaint to the dental practice or healthcare provider outlining the details of the negligence and the harm you've suffered.

Your solicitor will then negotiate with the other party to reach a fair settlement. This may be achieved through mediation or other forms of dispute resolution. However, if a settlement can't be reached, you may decide to pursue court proceedings.

What are the time limits for making a dental negligence claim?

In the UK, the general time limit for bringing a dental negligence claim is usually three years from the date of the negligent treatment or from the date you became aware of the negligence, whichever is later.

There are exceptions to this rule, depending on the age of the claimant or other circumstances. However, we always advise making your claim sooner rather than later so as not to miss the deadline.

How long do dental negligence claims take?

The time it takes to sort out a dental negligence claim can vary a lot. Some cases get resolved in a few months, while others can take a few years. It depends on how complicated the case is and if everyone involved agrees on things quickly. Simple cases can be sorted out faster, but if there are disagreements or a lot of things to figure out, it might take longer. It's important to be patient and work closely with your solicitor to get things sorted as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Will I need to have a medical assessment if I make a dental claim?

During your case, your lawyer may arrange for an independent dental expert to review your case and provide an opinion on whether the treatment you received fell below the accepted standard of care.

They'll write a report with their findings, which helps determine how much compensation you might get. Just be honest and provide all the information they ask for to make sure your claim is assessed fairly.

Will I have to go to court?

Many cases are settled without going to court, usually through negotiation or mediation. Your solicitor will try to reach a fair agreement with the other side. But if a settlement can't be reached, then court might be the next step. Your solicitor will advise you on what to do and represent you if it comes to that.

How much compensation can I get for a dental negligence claim?

The amount of money you can get for a dental negligence claim varies depending on how badly you were hurt, how it's affected your life, and any costs you've had.

You can claim for things like pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages if you've missed work because of the negligence.

The exact amount of money you'll get depends on the evidence and negotiations with the other party or their insurance company. It's best to talk to a solicitor who knows about dental negligence claims to understand what you might be able to claim for.

No win no fee dental negligence claims

"No win, no fee" dental negligence claims mean that if your claim isn't successful, you won't have to pay your solicitor's fees. It's also called a "conditional fee agreement."

In these cases, your solicitor only gets paid if you win the case, usually by taking a percentage of the compensation you receive.

This arrangement helps people pursue claims without worrying about the financial risk of legal fees. If your claim is successful, your solicitor's fees are typically paid by the other party or their insurance company, along with any compensation you're awarded.

Start your dental negligence claim today

At Lawhive, our network of expert medical negligence lawyers is on hand to provide expert legal guidance and representation through the claims process.

Here's how we can help:

Free case evaluation

We offer a free case evaluation where you can discuss your case with one of our experienced Legal Assessment Specialists. During this assessment, we'll assess the strength of your case and advise you on the best course of action.

No win, no fee

Many of our dental negligence claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis. This means you won't have to pay any solicitors fees upfront, and if your claim isn't successful, you won't pay a thing.

Expert legal representation

Our network of medical negligence solicitors has extensive experience representing clients in dental negligence claims. They handle all aspects of your claim, from gathering evidence to negotiation with the other party or their insurers.

If you've been injured due to dental negligence, contact us for expert legal advice and representation.