Experiencing dental negligence can be extremely traumatic, but it can be made much worse if you can’t afford to hire a dental negligence solicitor. However, some law firms offer something known as ‘no-win, no-fee personal injury claims’, making the process much more affordable for potential claimants.
At the Dental Law Partnership, we’re a highly experienced team of dental negligence solicitors, helping our clients pursue their dental negligence cases. It’s important to learn exactly what a no-win, no-fee agreement is before starting your claim, so you can be as prepared as possible.
If you’d like to get started with your dental negligence claim, please complete our online enquiry form here.
Understanding the Concept of No-Win, No-Fee Claims with Dental Law
A no-win, no-fee agreement (otherwise known as a conditional fee agreement) is a legal agreement made between your solicitor and you. Essentially, it means that you will only pay any legal fees if your claim for compensation is successful. This greatly reduces any risk of the dental negligence claims process and makes it a more accessible route.
If your dental negligence claim is unsuccessful, you will not be charged for any work undertaken by your solicitor on the case. However, if you decide to sue your dentist and your claim is successful, a small percentage of the compensation you are awarded will need to be paid to your solicitor. No-win, no-fee agreements are designed to take the risk of losing a claim away from the claimant, placing it instead on the solicitor.
The Benefits of No-Win, No-Fee Dental Negligence Claims
Dealing with the aftermath of dental malpractice can be particularly distressing, from both a financial and psychological point of view. The cost of litigation can raise concerns for individuals wanting to sue their dentist, preventing people from making a claim when they’re unhappy with their treatment.
However, no-win, no-fee personal injury claims can provide a practical and accessible solution for people in these situations, enabling them to pursue justice without the worry of paying for their legal expenses.
Here, we’ll take a look at some of the key benefits that a conditional fee agreement can grant you. If you’d like to jump straight into your dental negligence claim, you can enquire here.
No Hidden Fees: A Risk-Free Pricing Structure
Suppose you’re seeking a dental negligence solicitor but you have to pay them, regardless of the outcome. In that case, it can put you in a very precarious situation – particularly if you’re already struggling for money. In these circumstances, you’d have to pay your legal fees, even if you lost your case. Legal fees can be expensive and can even put people into debt if they’re unable to keep up with their payments.
However, with a no-win, no-fee lawyer, you only ever pay towards your legal fees if your claim is successful, reducing the financial risk associated with making a claim. You will still need to pay towards your dental negligence solicitor if they win your claim, but these funds could be taken from your compensation, rather than your savings.
Your solicitor’s fees will usually be a percentage of the compensation awarded, giving you a clear understanding of the costs involved from the beginning, helping you to avoid any unexpected expenses. This approach also encourages accountability and the ethical practice of law, as your dental solicitor must believe in the merits of your case to take it on.
Financial Peace of Mind
Undertaking legal action can be a difficult thing to process – particularly if you’re new to the world of negligence claims or you only have limited funds available for your case. No-win, no-fee agreements can offer substantial peace of mind for individuals seeking legal recourse, enabling them to secure compensation without the risk of financial impact.
Not only can claimants eliminate upfront costs, but no-win, no-fee personal injury claims also ensure they are not burdened with costly fees if their case is unsuccessful.
It’s not uncommon for legal cases to affect your mental health either, as taking legal action can be extremely stressful. However, knowing that you do not have to pay for the dental negligence claims process if you lose your case may take away some of this stress, empowering more individuals to seek out justice. Claimants can pursue their legal claims with newfound confidence, putting more focus on their recovery and future well-being.
Increased Access to Justice
One of the main benefits of no-win, no-fee compensation claims is the fact that they allow a greater number of people to access the legal system. Not only do they provide legal representation for those unable to afford it otherwise, but they also make the legal system fairer.
No-win, no-fee claims ensure that anyone recognising the signs of dental negligence has the opportunity to engage with a solicitor, regardless of their personal circumstances.
Common Misconceptions About No-Win, No-Fee Claims
No-win, no-fee claims can be extremely advantageous, but several common misconceptions may deter individuals from pursuing them.
Here are some of the most recurrent misunderstandings about no-win, no-fee claims:
- No-win, no-fee means your case is entirely free – Whilst you don’t need to pay any legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful, you’ll still need to pay towards your legal costs if you do win your case.
- No-win, no-fee claims are only eligible for minor cases – In reality, no-win, no-fee claims can be instigated for a wide variety of cases, from minor injuries through to complex claims featuring more than one type of negligence.
- Most of your compensation will go to your lawyer – Whilst solicitors working on a no-win, no-fee basis do take a percentage of your compensation as a fee, you’ll still retain the majority of the funds.
- It’s hard to find a good no-win, no-fee lawyer – Many people incorrectly believe that no-win, no-fee lawyers are less experienced than other solicitors, but this is not true. At the Dental Law Partnership, our team is highly knowledgeable about the dental industry – find out how our clients rate us on our Testimonials page. The Dental Law Partnership has a team of in-house dentists ready to consider the standard of treatment you have received.
- All no-win, no-fee agreements are the same – In reality, no-win, no-fee agreements can differ greatly between law firms, so it’s important to thoroughly review and understand the terms and conditions of any agreement before committing to it.
These are just some of the main misconceptions about no-win, no-fee claims that we tend to hear. By debunking these, we hope you can make a more informed decision about pursuing legal action against your dentist.
Dental Negligence and You: Making a Claim
Having an expert team at your side during your dental negligence claim can make a significant difference to the outcome of your case, but it can be difficult if you don’t have the money to pay for a solicitor. No-win, no-fee personal injury claims offer claimants a valuable opportunity to seek justice and compensation when they otherwise might not be able to afford to pursue a case.
If you’ve suffered from negligence at the hands of your dentist and you’d like to pursue a claim, we may be able to help. At the Dental Law Partnership, all our claims are carried out on a no-win, no-fee basis, ensuring you won’t pay anything unless your case is successful. If you think you may have a claim, the Dental Law Partnership will carry out a free no-obligation assessment for you.
To get started with your dental negligence claim, please contact our team on 0800 152 2044.