Dental Malpractice and Legal Action

In Michigan, dentists must be licensed by the state to practice. The license requires dentists to conform to the standard of care set forth by the dental profession. Failure to meet this standard is a breach that can lead to significant liability. Indeed, dental malpractice is a form of negligence causing significant harm to patients. Common forms of malpractice include negligent dental work, failure to treat or diagnose a dental condition, delayed treatment or diagnosis of dental disease, and intentional misconduct.  

Patients who have suffered due to dental negligence may file a civil action for malpractice. The burden is on the patient to establish malpractice by a preponderance of credible evidence. A successful malpractice claim must establish these basic elements:

• A dentist/patient relationship existed.
• The dental professional failed to conform to the standard of care.
• Because of this failure, the patient suffered an injury or harm.
• The dental professional’s negligence is the cause of the patient’s injury or harm.

Once the patient establishes that the dental professional committed dental malpractice, they may seek compensation for their injuries in the form of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include compensation for medical bills and other objective losses. Non-economic damages include losses resulting from the patient’s pain and suffering, physical disfigurement, emotional distress, and mental anguish.

Sommers Schwartz Michigan Dental Malpractice Attorneys 

Dental services are costly, and unnecessary dental work creates an emotional and financial burden patient should never have to face. If you are seeking compensation following a negligent tooth extraction, let an experienced dental malpractice attorney help you through the process. Call Sommers Schwartz at (800) 783-0989 today. We offer free consultations with skilled and knowledgeable Michigan dental malpractice attorneys, and there is no cost to you unless your case succeeds.