Bellevue Dental Malpractice Lawyer
Dentists are responsible for helping their patients preserve and improve their dental and overall health. If a dentist fails to do their job, patients could experience undue pain and injury. Substandard care from a dentist could impact more than just your mouth. After all, dental health is linked to heart health, healthy pregnancies, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, the early detection of some cancers, and osteoporosis.
If you suffered at the hands of a negligent dentist you may want to turn to a Bellevue dental malpractice lawyer who can help you bring a dental malpractice claim. If you are a victim of a negligent dentist, contact a dedicated attorney at Inkelaar Law for help.
What is Dental Malpractice?
Dentists are medical practitioners who hold doctoral degrees and are required to be licensed by the state of Nebraska to practice. Just as physicians are expected to treat each of their patients with reasonable care, so are dentists. Dental malpractice occurs when a dentist does not adhere to the standards members of their profession are held to.
Examples of Dental Malpractice
The State of Nebraska Dentistry Practice Act outlines the state statutes relating to dental practice. Although the job of a dentist can look very different from that of a physician. There are dental malpractice claims based on similar situations such as incorrectly administering anesthesia, causing injury, and failing to treat an illness or injury. More specific dental malpractice claims can include:
- Failing to tell the patient about their dental problems
- Treating the wrong tooth
- Recommending and performing unnecessary procedures such as a filling or a crown
- Failing to sterilize dental equipment
- Failing to obtain a complete medical history
This is not an exhaustive list as there can be many other examples of dental malpractice. Dental patients who are uncertain about the care they are receiving should consult with a Bellevue dental malpractice lawyer at Inkelaar Law to find out if they have a dental malpractice case.
Filing Deadlines in Bellevue
All states impose deadlines on patients who are considering legal action against a dentist. Nebraska Revised Statute § 44-2828 reveals that plaintiffs in dental malpractice cases have two years from the date of the malpractice to file their lawsuit.
In some instances, this deadline may be different if you did not discover the injury until a later date. You could learn more about how the statute of limitations applies in your specific dental malpractice claim by contacting a reputable Bellevue dental malpractice lawyer.
Dentistry Malpractice Damage Caps
In dental malpractice cases, the severity and duration of the injury are usually the biggest factors in determining a settlement amount or a verdict in your favor. The potential compensation you could receive is based on several factors such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and mental anguish.
It is important to understand that your compensation may be limited by state law. A damage cap is a limit to the amount a plaintiff could receive from a jury verdict. For malpractice that allegedly occurred after December 31, 2014, the cap is $2.25 million. Nebraska Revised Statute § 44-2825 outlines this law, including the damage caps for malpractice that allegedly took place before January of 2015.
How an Attorney in Bellevue Can Help With Your Dental Malpractice Claim
As a dental patient, you trust that your dentist has the training, capabilities, and integrity to provide you with quality dental care. If your dentist departs from the expected standards of care, you may experience physical pain, disfigurement, infections, and the need for additional dental or medical care. Filing a dental malpractice lawsuit may be the first step to receiving compensation for what you have endured.
One of the experienced Bellevue lawyers at Inkelaar Law may be able to review your dental malpractice claim and provide you with the guidance and legal information you need. If you need a Bellevue dental malpractice lawyer, schedule a consultation today for a comprehensive case review.