The mouth is full of sensitive sensory organs. One of them is the lingual nerve, which runs along the back of the mouth. Anytime these nerves are in any way damaged or disturbed, the results can be extremely painful.
If a dentist or oral surgeon is negligent in certain work, including during wisdom tooth removal or anesthesia, it could result in the lingual nerve being damaged. The victim may suffer continuous pain and altered sensation that, in some cases, can only be remedied by surgery and other complicated and expensive techniques.
Fort Lauderdale Dental Malpractice Attorney Serving Clients Throughout Broward County and Florida
If you have suffered damage to your lingual nerve due to negligence by a dentist or dental surgeon in Broward County or anywhere in South Florida, a Fort Lauderdale dental malpractice lawyer can help you recover for your losses, including the bills to reverse the error, lost work and pain and suffering. Lisa Levine is a skilled medical malpractice lawyer who represents the victims of negligence on the part of dental health professionals.
Dental Malpractice Victim
Call Lisa S. Levine P.A. at 954-256-1820 to schedule a free consultation. Lisa Levine represents people all over Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Coral Springs, Miramar and Davie. She also represents clients in Miami-Dade County and Palm Beach County.
Purpose of Lingual Nerve
The lingual nerve is extremely important for facial sensation. The nervous system carries signals to and from the brain. The lingual nerve is part of the mandibular nerve, one of three important nerves in the head and face.
The mandibular nerve covers roughly the bottom third of the face, starting at the lower lip, and carries sensation from the chin, jaw and lower portion of the inside of the mouth. It sends the brain signals pertaining to sensation, including pain and temperature. It does not carry taste, so while it will not inform the brain if the food tastes poorly, it will inform the brain if the food is too hot or if there are other problems with it.
The lingual nerve runs from roughly under the tongue to near the brain.
Damage to the Lingual Nerve During Dental Work
Due the lingual nerve’s position in the mouth, it is often subject to damage during dental work, such as:
- Removing wisdom teeth
- Removing molars
- Removing tumors
- Implant placement
- Inferior dental block injections
- Anesthesia
If the lingual nerve is damaged, the patient may feel pain on the tongue or on the inside of the cheeks. It can be a burning pain or a dull pain. The patient may also feel altered sensation in the mouth.
A patient will be able to recover if the lingual nerve was damaged by the negligence of a dentist, oral surgeon, dental hygienist or other medical professional. Medical professionals are held to the standards of their profession. A dentist, for example, has a duty to act as a reasonable and prudent dentist. If he or she does something a reasonable and prudent dentist would not do, or fails to do something a reasonable and prudent dentist would do, and damages the lingual nerve in the process, it may be negligence.
Recovery in Lingual Nerve Damage Cases in Florida
In some cases, reversing lingual nerve damage requires surgery. In addition to an expensive procedure, a person suffering damages may have to miss work. There will likely be follow-up visits and medication. There will certainly be pain and suffering.
All of this may be recovered through a lawsuit. In most cases, though, the dentist will carry malpractice insurance, and it is the insurance company that the plaintiff will be dealing with. A dental lawyer can assist the victim in obtaining the recovery they deserve.
If you start to notice pain after dental work, it is important to document that pain, and to act quickly in contacting an attorney. The steps you take once you notice a problem are important to how much you’ll be able to recover.
Types of Florida Dental Malpractice Cases
There are many types of dental malpractice cases that are common in Florida. These cases include but are not limited to:
- Failure to diagnose oral diseases and infections
- Improper use of anesthesia
- Negligent extractions and other surgical procedures
- Root canal errors
- Negligent placement of dental implants
If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered from a dental malpractice incident, do not hesitate to reach out for help. A experienced Florida dental malpractice attorney can fight for your rights and help you obtain the compensation that you deserve.
What Compensation Can I Receive in a Dental Malpractice Lawsuit in Florida?
In a dental malpractice lawsuit in Florida, the compensation you can receive may include:
- Economic damages: The damages cover medical expenses, lost wages, and future medical treatments.
- Non-economic damages: These damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
It is important to note that the amount of compensation you can receive will depend on the specifics of your case. Hiring an experienced Florida dental malpractice attorney can help ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation possible for your damages. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you believe that you or a loved one has suffered from dental malpractice.
How to Prove Dental Malpractice
To prove dental malpractice, several key elements must be established.
- First, it must be proven that a dentist-patient relationship existed at the time of the incident.
- Second, it must be established that the dentist did not provide care in accordance with accepted standards of care.
- Third, it must be proven that the dentist’s breach of duty caused the patient harm.
- Finally, it must be shown that the patient suffered damages as a direct result of the dentist’s actions or inaction.
If you believe that you may have a dental malpractice case, contact Florida dental malpractice attorney Lisa Levine to discuss your options and determine the best way to move forward. As an attorney with decades of experience helping victims of negligence, Lisa can help gather the necessary evidence, consult with expert witnesses, and present a compelling argument to prove your case. Don’t hesitate to take action and seek justice for your suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Malpractice
Statute of limitations laws spells out how long someone has to file a lawsuit. These laws are different depending on what state you’re in and what type of lawsuit. In Florida, injured dental patients usually have only 2 years in which to file a malpractice lawsuit.
Learn more about the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in Florida.
Dental malpractice cases are hard to win. Being a good personal injury attorney doesn’t necessarily mean being good Fort Lauderdale dental malpractice attorney. It’s important to choose legal representative who has extensive experience in successfully handling dental negligence cases.
Read more about choosing the right attorney for your malpractice case.
Since most judges and jury members don’t possess the in-depth medical expertise needed to determine fault in a dental negligence case, the primary role of the expert witness is to help them understand the complex medical and scientific facts they will have to consider when deliberating a decision.
Learn more about the role of expert witnesses in malpractice cases.
Finding the Best Fort Lauderdale Dental Malpractice Attorney
If you suffered damage to your lingual nerve after oral surgery or having any form of dental work done in Broward, Palm Beach or Miami-Dade County, you can rely upon the skills of an experienced personal injury attorney to help you recover. Lisa S. Levine P.A. is a Fort Lauderdale dental negligence attorney who helps patients get the recovery they deserve. Call 954-256-1820 today to schedule a free consultation.
