Infections After Dental Work Claims Solicitors in Manchester

An infection after dental treatment can potentially be extremely serious, and while compensation won’t fully make up for the fact that you’ve been let down by a professional you trusted, it could help with your recovery as well as making sure that you aren’t impacted financially.

If you suffer an infection after dental treatment and think your dentist might have been negligent then contact the experts in Manchester at TJL today.

If we think you’re eligible for compensation we’ll guide you through the process of making a claim.

What should I do if I suspect an infection after dental work?

If you suspect that an infection might have developed after dental treatment then you should seek dental care immediately.

Treating the infection quickly will stop it becoming more serious and increase the chances of recovery.

Prompt dental treatment will also create an official record of the infection and how serious it is.

If you think that the infection could have happened because your dentist was negligent then you should contact the team at TJL for a free initial consultation. We specialise in handling claims for dental negligence and will quickly be able to decide whether you’ve suffered dental treatment that breached the duty of care owed to you.

You should also collect as much evidence to support your claim at this stage as you can, including asking for your dental records, taking photographs of the infected area and keeping your own record of how the infection has impacted you.

What kind of damage can infections after dental work cause?

An infection after dental work could cause pain, suffering, swelling and discomfort.

It could also lead to any or all of the following:

• A sore throat caused by the infection spreading
• A gum abscess causing significant swelling and pain

In the worst case scenario an infection after dental work could cause sepsis, an infection which can impact the entire body with life-threatening implications. Any infection after dental work is likely to cause stress and anxiety as well as any physical symptoms.

What are the symptoms of an infection after dental work?

The main symptoms of an infection after dental work are likely to include the following:

• Persistent discomfort and pain in the infected area – some pain is likely after almost all dental treatment, but it should lessen over time as the treated area heals. Pain which doesn’t lessen or gets worse could be a sign of infection, as could pain which spreads to other areas such as the jaw or neck.
• Swelling and redness in the infected area following dental treatment – some swelling and redness is normal after most dental work, but swelling which doesn’t go down or increases over time could indicate an infection. In the most extreme cases swelling caused by infection could make it difficult to open and close your mouth or even change your facial appearance. If the swelling and redness begin to spread to the surrounding areas you should seek urgent medical attention, as an infection of this kind could cause problems with eating or even breathing.
• Pus or unusual discharge – one of the clearest indicators of an infection after dental work is the presence of discharge or pus in the treated area. If an abscess forms following treatment, for example, then the bacteria present could cause pus to leak from the wound or collect in the mouth. In many cases the discharge will taste or smell unpleasant. If pus or discharge is present then you should seek further dental treatment immediately to stop the infection spreading.
• Fever and fatigue – if an infection after dental work starts to spread then you may develop a high temperature, which is a sign that your body is fighting the infection off. You could also develop feelings of fatigue or a general lack of energy.

If symptoms such as these develop, particularly alongside swelling, redness, discomfort or discharge, then you should seek immediate medical attention to stop the infection spreading

If you develop sepsis after dental work it could potentially be life-threatening. The symptoms of sepsis include low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, high temperature, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate and disorientation or confusion.

What is the claims process for infections after dental work?

We keep things as simple as possible for our clients by breaking the claims process down into a series of smaller steps.

We know that making a compensation claim for an infection after dental work can seem daunting, particularly while you’re recovering from the infection itself.

If we think you’ve been the victim of negligent dental treatment leading to an infection then we’ll guide you through this process one step at a time, offering empathetic support and guidance every step of the way:

1. We’ll provide a free, no obligation consultation when you first contact us. After hearing the details of your treatment, we’ll explain whether we think you have been the victim of negligence.
2. If we think you are eligible to claim compensation then we’ll start the claims process by taking a detailed statement from you. You’ll be able to explain how you were treated, how the infection developed and the impact it has had on you.
3. We’ll arrange a dental examination with an independent expert, who will be able assess the extent of your infection, how it might have been caused, what the prognosis for recovery is and whether further treatment is likely to be required.
4. We’ll pull together evidence to support your compensation claim, including any evidence you bring to us. This will include but isn’t limited to the following:
   • Your dental records from before and after the negligent treatment
   • Witness statements from people such as friends and family able to explain the condition you have been in since the infection
   • The report produced by the independent dental expert
   • Wider medical records relating to your infection, such as details of painkillers or antibiotics you have had to take
5. We will contact the other party – i.e. the dentist responsible for your treatment – to tell them that you intend to seek compensation
6. Most infections after dental work claims are settled at this stage when the other party admits liability. Our commitment to dispute resolution and the strength of the claims we build means that we can settle the majority of the claims we handle quickly.
7. If liability has been admitted we will negotiate a fair compensation settlement. Our specialist knowledge of dental negligence claims means that we understand exactly how much you are entitled to, and we never settle for anything less than the full amount.
8. In a small number of cases it is impossible to negotiate a fair settlement and the claim has to be settled in court. If this happens to your claim we will support you throughout and present your case as clearly and powerfully as possible.

Are there any time limits on an infection after dental work claim?

In the majority of cases you have a period of 3 years following the treatment, or following the date on which the infection becomes apparent.

After this 3 year period has passed you won’t be able to make a compensation claim. Exceptions to this time limit include:

• You lacked the ‘mental capacity’ to pursue a compensation claim during the three years, in which case the limit will run from the date on which you regain or develop capacity.
• You were under 18 years of age at the time of the infection after dental work, in which case the 3 year limit will run from your 18th birthday until your 21st.

Despite the 3 year time limit we would always advise starting a compensation claim for an infection after dental work as soon as possible. The sooner you start a claim the sooner you’re likely to get any compensation you’re entitled to, and it will be easier to make a claim while events are still fresh in your mind.

Dental Infection Claim FAQs

Can I make a no win no fee infections after dental work claim?

Yes, you can make a no win no fee infections after dental work claim. This means the following:

• You pay nothing as we process your claim, gather evidence and negotiate with the other party
• We only take a fee if your claim is successful and the compensation has been paid
• If the claim fails then the costs of the other party will be covered by insurance we take out on your behalf

What are the symptoms of sepsis after negligent dental work?

If you develop sepsis after dental work it could potentially be life-threatening. The symptoms of sepsis include low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, high temperature, rapid breathing, rapid heart rate and disorientation or confusion.

How long will my infection after dental work claim take?

How long your infection after dental work claim takes could vary from a few months up to more than 18 months, depending upon how serious and complex the infection is and the approach taken by the other party. More complex cases might require more than one expert assessment, for example, while a claim could take longer if the other party denies liability or refuses to make a fair compensation offer.

At all stages throughout your claim we will keep you fully informed regarding how long we think it is going to take to settle.

Can I claim interim payments?

If your infection after dental work claim is highly complex then it could take time to agree a compensation amount after liability has been agreed. If this happens we will apply for interim payments to help cover your on-going costs, with any interim payments deducted from the final compensation payment.