Malpractice Lawsuit Claims Dentist Watched Soap Opera During Treatment

A woman in Cook County, Illinois has filed a lawsuit against her dentist, claiming that he severely injured her lip during a procedure. That fact by itself would not have intrigued any Atlanta dental malpractice lawyer. However, according to the lawsuit, the dentist had been watching TV while he was performing the procedure. I have been a patient and a patient advocate for many clients who have been injured by dental malpractice. Some of the injuries resulting from dental malpractice that I have worked on include broken jaws, dental nerve damage, sinus perforations, blindness, and many other injuries and conditions caused by dental malpractice. It is hard to see, from my perspective, how a dental malpractice lawsuit can be justified for a bloody lip. However, I do not know all the facts and do not even begin to try to make the determination of whether that case has merit. I do know the great pains and the amount of expense involved in having a dental malpractice reviewed by an expert and filing the lawsuit–and it is quite substantial.

According to the woman, the incident occurred on July 30, 2009, when she visited the dentist for a procedure. While the dentist was performing the procedure, he and a dental assistant watched a soap opera on a television set in the room. While he was distracted, the dental instrument burned a hole in her lip.

The hole quickly began to bleed. There was severe bruising, and the wound began to ooze liquid. When the effects of the dental anesthesia wore off, the plaintiff also began to suffer excruciating pain. When she informed the dentist about her pain, he simply prescribed an oral treatment to treat mouth sores.

As a result of this dental injury, the women’s lips were swollen for more than three weeks. The aftereffects of the injury continued to linger. The woman’s lips have become disfigured and scarred. They are also hypersensitive. She has filed a dental malpractice lawsuit claiming medical negligence. The lawsuit also alleges that the dentist destroyed her medical records, and claims spoilage of evidence.

The dentist in this case has denied all wrongdoing and claims that the injury in the lip is actually a blister which is a normal and known risk of this particular dental procedure. Although there’s a television in the room, the dentist says that he never watches TV while performing a procedure.

Robert J. Fleming has been handling wrongful death cases, dental malpractice, bus accidents, car accident cases and premises injury cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 20 years. He practices in and around the Atlanta, Georgia area including handling lawsuits in Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Gwinnett, Cobb and other counties and nearby cities including Alpharetta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Duluth, Decatur, Doraville, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, and Smyrna. If you have been seriously injured due to suspected dental malpractice and would like discuss your case, contact Robert J. Fleming directly on (404) 525-5150 or contact us online.