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Dental malpractice is a serious issue that can affect anyone. It could happen when a dentist falls short of the standard of care and causes an injury to a patient. Unfortunately, dental malpractice cases are becoming more common every year. In this blog post, we will discuss Virginia Dental Malpractice Attorneys, and some of the cases that have occurred in the city over the years.
Firstly, it is essential to understand what constitutes dental malpractice. When a dentist provides treatment that falls below the accepted standard of care, and that action leads to injury or harm to the patient, it is considered dental malpractice. This breach of duty is a violation of the dentist’s legal and ethical responsibilities, and the patient has the right to file a malpractice claim seeking compensation for the damages they sustained.
A significant lawsuit that confirmed the severity of dental malpractice in Alexandria was the case of Ayman K. Kafel v. Sandler Family Dental. The plaintiff, Ayman Kafel, claimed that Dr. Sandler extracted the wrong tooth, resulting in him suffering chronic pain and requiring extensive dental work to fix the damage done. The case went to trial, and the plaintiff was awarded $275,000 in damages, illustrating the devastating effects that dental malpractice can have on a patient.
Another case was that of Rashed Alaqeel v. Dr. Patel. Rashed claimed that Dr. Patel failed to diagnose his oral cancer, despite noticing the symptoms, resulting in a delayed diagnosis and a worsened prognosis. The jury found Dr. Patel guilty of negligence and awarded Rashed $277,000 in damages. This case shows that even when the severity of the malpractice is not immediately visible, it can have long-lasting effects.
Furthermore, dental malpractice is not limited to surgical procedures. The case of Janice Lawrence v. Fairfax Dental Group illustrates how a simple dental cleaning could go wrong. Janice claimed that her hygienist applied too much pressure during a cleaning, resulting in her suffering serious gum damage, lost teeth, and eventually needing dentures. The jury returned a verdict in her favor and awarded Janice $1.7 million in damages. This case shows that even the simplest dental procedure could lead to a life-changing injury.
Similarly, in the case of Patti Zahn v. Dr. Steven R. Schuette, Patti claimed that Dr. Schuette overfilled her tooth during a root canal procedure. This excess filling caused severe pain and required further dental work to rectify. Patti filed a malpractice claim and was awarded $350,000 in damages. This case shows that even the most common dental procedure could result in a malpractice claim if the dentist does not perform within the standard of care.
Conclusion:
Dental malpractice is a serious issue. It can happen to anyone, at any time, and can result in serious injuries that are life-changing and costly to rectify. The cases mentioned in this blog post illustrate how important it is to choose a reputable dentist with a track record of providing quality care to avoid any malpractice claims. If you or someone you know has been the victim of dental malpractice, you may be entitled to compensation. It is essential to speak with a qualified dental malpractice attorney immediately.
