Is there a time limit on making a dental negligence claim?

The time limit on making a dental negligence claim is three years from the date that the negligence occurred, or the date that you became aware of the negligence. There are exceptions for patients under the age of 18 (whose three-year window starts on their 18th birthday) and those suffering from a mental illness (whose three years start at their recovery from the illness).

At Dental Law Partnership, our team of expert dental negligence solicitors are on hand to help you with your compensation claim at every step of the way; call us today on 0808 278 8202.

How much compensation could I expect to receive from a dental negligence claim?

The amount of compensation that you could receive for a successful dental negligence claim will depend on a number of factors, which include:

• The nature of the claim e.g. misdiagnosis, carelessness or poor technique by the dental professional
• The severity and longevity of the injury, pain and suffering experienced by the claimant as a result of the dentist’s action or inaction
• The extent to which further dental treatment is/was required to remedy the damage caused by the original negligence

Once your claim has been fully assessed by our expert team, they would will be in a position to advise on the amount of compensation you are likely to receive, based on our experience of similar previous cases. However, if the case goes to trial, the judge is the person who decides on the compensation amount.

Should I stop dental treatment whilst my case is still ongoing?

If you have an ongoing negligence claim but need emergency dental treatment, perhaps to treat pain or infection, then this must take priority over your legal case, as it is treatment that you do require. If the treatment you want is a matter of choice, such as a cosmetic procedure, having the work done before your claim is finished could interfere with vital evidence, depending on the specifics of your case. At the Dental Law Partnership, we can advise you on the best ways to preserve evidence for your legal claim, whilst often enabling you to have the elective treatment that you want, too.

Can I sue my dentist for pain and suffering?

If you have been injured by your dentist’s mistake or negligence or you have experienced pain and suffering as a result of their actions or inaction when you were under their care, you may be eligible to make a dental negligence claim. The amount of compensation you might receive if you successfully sue your dentist for the pain and suffering you have experienced will depend on the severity of what has happened to you and the impact that it has had on your life.