When people think of medical malpractice, they generally do not think about dental malpractice. However, this is a type of malpractice that occurs frequently and should not be taken lightly. Any healthcare provider is capable of malpractice that can lead to injury. This includes even dentists.
Just like with any other malpractice case, there are certain requirements that must be fulfilled in order for dental malpractice to be proven. These are the same four requirements that must be fulfilled in any other malpractice case. They are:
- A duty was owed: This duty is understood any time a healthcare provider gives any type of care. In dentistry this is not any different.
- The duty was breached: The dentist must have deviated from medical standards of practice in order to have breached the aforementioned duty.
- The breach caused an injury: The actions of your dentist must have caused you some sort of injury. While most people do not think of injuries as common in dentistry, they can and do happen.
- There were damages: Just as with any other malpractice case, there must be damages involved. They can be monetary or emotional, but they must be proven for the case to be brought against the dentist.
You may not have considered the fact that a dentist can be negligent. Nobody wants to believe that any healthcare provider is capable of negligence. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Negligence happens, and it is not unique to any one group of people.
Speak with a Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you know has suffered from dental malpractice, contact the Minneapolis personal injury attorneys of Terry, Slane & Ruohonen at 612-362-0000.
