Whether you’ve opted for NHS or private dental treatment, things do sometimes go wrong. In these cases, you may want to submit a dental negligence claim, but you might be concerned about the cost of hiring a dental malpractice lawyer.
In this guide, we’ll talk you through the process of hiring legal representation for your dental claim, what costs are involved, and what level of compensation you can expect.
Are you looking to make a negligence claim now? At The Dental Law Partnership, our team of solicitors specialise in dental malpractice and negligence claims and will always work to secure the compensation you deserve. We work on a “no win no fee” basis meaning there is no upfront cost to yourself, if your claim is successful your solicitor will take only a small percentage of your compensation.
How much does a dental negligence solicitor cost?
Dental negligence lawyer costs can differ depending on the solicitor you choose, but there are a few standard structures that outline how much you can expect to pay and in what way.
No win, no fee
All our cases are run on a no win, no fee basis here at The Dental Law Partnership. This is the most common type of agreement for negligence claims and means you won’t pay any solicitor fees if your case is unsuccessful. Every situation is different, and there’s no set amount for how much you would normally receive in compensation. But you will only pay our fees if your claim is successful.
Legal expenses insurance
If you have legal expenses cover as part of your medical, home or other insurance policies, you can use this to pay for any costs that might occur from a dental negligence claim. In this circumstance, you usually have to use a solicitor recommended by the insurance company, and your insurer will cover the legal costs if the claim is accepted.
Paying privately
It’s not always possible to claim through insurance, and if you don’t opt for a No Win, No Fee solicitor, you may need to pay out of your own pocket. This typically leads to much higher costs, with solicitors charging a wide range of hourly rates from £100 -£400 an hour, depending on location, expertise and the complexity of your case.
Whilst this is the most expensive way to pay for legal representation, you have full flexibility on who you choose to represent you.
What can a dental malpractice lawyer help with?
If you feel you’ve been mistreated by your dentist and think you’re entitled to compensation or a settlement, dental malpractice solicitors can help if you’ve been affected by:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
- Poor quality of care or poorly performed procedures
- Nerve damage
- Errors with cosmetic dental procedures, including poorly fitted implants or veneers
What other fees are involved in a dental negligence case?
Alongside the costs of hiring a lawyer, you may also encounter other costs associated with a dental malpractice case.
- In the unlikely event that your case goes to court, there may be court fees involved.
- Hiring a dental expert also costs money. A dental expert report is a required feature should your case enter court proceedings, in order to establish the condition and prognosis of y of those aspects of your dental health which have been impacted, amongst other things.
These costs are covered in No Win, No Fee claims, but if you’re paying independently, these expenses are separate from your solicitor’s fees.
What affects the cost of hiring a dental lawyer?
As we mentioned before, there are a number of factors that influence the amount you could be expected to pay towards legal fees.
The complexity of your case
A more straightforward case will likely cost less than a claim that involves multiple procedures and long-term health complications. For example, if you are making a claim for an extraction error where the wrong tooth was removed, this is a case that’s fairly straightforward to prove. If, however, you have attended multiple appointments searching for a diagnosis and several different treatments are involved, then this can lead to a lengthy case as it is not as straightforward to establish both the negligence and causation.
Resolution time
Although specialists like The Dental Law Partnership use all our expertise including our in-house dentists and specialist solicitors to help resolve negligence claims out of court, cases can sometimes go to trial. If this happens, this greatly increases the time involved in your case, which can in turn lead to higher costs.
Do you need to hire a solicitor for a dental malpractice case?
If you want to increase the chances of a successful claim, we’d always recommend utilising the help of a solicitor. Even though this costs money, the amount of compensation and success rate are greatly increased.
Experts like ours at Dental Law will gather and present evidence, meeting with medical experts on your behalf to support you in your case. They’ll also negotiate with the defendant or their insurer to help ensure you get the best outcome from your claim. In the unlikely event your case goes to court, your solicitor will be there to represent you and support you throughout.
Depending on the solicitor and the company they work for, they’ll most likely have different areas of interest within the field. At the Dental Law Partnership we are proud to have an in-house team with both dental and legal expertise, placing you in the best hands throughout the entirety of your claim journey. If you’ve been harmed by poor dental treatment or procedures, don’t let money worries stop you from getting the justice you deserve. We offer No Win, No Fee services and our specialists will work with you to help you get the best settlement. Get in touch to start your claim today.