Washington DC Dental Malpractice Lawyer

At Cohen & Cohen, we represent individuals who have suffered harm due to dental care that fell below acceptable standards. Dental malpractice can lead to painful, lasting injuries and expensive corrective procedures. We understand how frustrating it is to trust a provider with your care, only to suffer further damage from errors that could have been avoided. Our team helps clients take legal steps to recover compensation and move forward after a painful experience.

Dental Malpractice Lawyer Washington DC

Dental malpractice occurs when a dentist or other oral care provider causes injury by failing to follow accepted procedures or by making avoidable mistakes. These cases can involve surgical errors, delayed diagnoses, improper use of tools, or a lack of informed consent. In many situations, the injury is not just physical—it also causes emotional stress, cosmetic damage, and financial strain from additional treatment.

We regularly assist clients dealing with issues such as:

• Nerve damage caused during root canals, extractions, or implants
• Untreated infections due to missed diagnosis or improper sterilization
• Misalignment or bite issues following orthodontic work
• Fractured teeth or jaw injuries caused during a procedure

Patients may experience numbness, chronic pain, difficulty eating or speaking, and permanent damage to facial structure. In more serious cases, the injury may result in hospitalization or long-term disability.

Our Washington DC dental malpractice lawyer can review your records and treatment history to determine whether the provider deviated from the expected standard of care. From there, we work to build a case that shows the full impact of the mistake—including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Dental professionals are expected to take proper precautions, use sterile equipment, explain risks to patients, and respond promptly to signs of a problem. When those responsibilities are ignored, and a patient is harmed as a result, legal action may be the best way to pursue accountability and financial recovery.

Why Clients Trust Our Team With These Cases

At Cohen & Cohen, we know what to look for when reviewing a dental injury claim. Our experience includes holding providers accountable for serious treatment errors and helping clients receive compensation to correct the damage and address long-term needs.

We take a careful, personalized approach to each case, starting with a review of dental records, procedure notes, and any follow-up care. Our legal team also works with qualified dental professionals who can explain how the provider’s actions fell below acceptable standards.

In one case, a client came to us after a routine procedure resulted in permanent nerve damage. We helped them recover damages for ongoing treatment, pain, and reduced quality of life. In another, we took legal action against a provider whose failure to diagnose an infection led to a hospital stay and extensive follow-up care.

Our priority is helping clients find closure and secure the resources they need to move forward with confidence.

Talk to a Legal Team That Can Help

If you’ve been injured due to a dental provider’s mistake, you may be entitled to compensation. A Washington DC dental malpractice lawyer at Cohen & Cohen can review your case and explain your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to support you.

Types of Dental Malpractice Cases We Handle

Dental care is often routine, but when something goes wrong, the effects can be long-lasting. A mistake during a procedure or failure to catch a problem early can lead to permanent damage, ongoing pain, and the need for expensive corrective work. At Cohen & Cohen, we represent clients who’ve been harmed by poor dental treatment. We understand how frustrating and overwhelming it can be to deal with unexpected injuries caused by someone you trusted with your health. Our team is here to hold dental professionals accountable when they fail to meet the standards of care.

Nerve Damage From Oral Procedures

One of the most serious types of injury involves nerve damage. This can occur during tooth extractions, dental implants, or root canals. When a dentist applies too much pressure or drills too deeply, they may injure the lingual or inferior alveolar nerves, which are responsible for feeling in the tongue, lips, and jaw.

These injuries can cause:

• Numbness or tingling in the face or mouth
• Sharp, chronic pain that doesn’t improve with time
• Difficulty speaking, eating, or drinking

In many cases, nerve damage is permanent. If the dentist failed to warn the patient about the risk or used improper technique, legal action may be appropriate.

Failure to Diagnose or Treat Infections

A missed infection can quickly become a medical emergency. Dentists are responsible for identifying signs of infection and providing timely treatment or referrals. Delays can lead to serious conditions such as abscesses, bone loss, or the spread of infection to other parts of the body.

We handle cases involving:

• Untreated post-surgical infections
• Infections misidentified as minor inflammation
• Lack of follow-up after signs of pain or swelling

When an infection is ignored or misdiagnosed, patients may require hospitalization, intravenous antibiotics, or surgery to address the damage. These consequences are avoidable with proper care.

Incorrect or Unnecessary Procedures

Performing the wrong procedure—or one that isn’t needed—can have painful and costly results. Whether it’s pulling the wrong tooth or placing a crown on a healthy one, these mistakes are not only distressing but also damaging to the patient’s oral health.

These types of claims may involve:

• Incomplete or inaccurate chart review
• Miscommunication between dental staff
• Billing for procedures that were never performed

Correcting these errors often requires multiple follow-up visits and may lead to lasting complications.

Problems With Anesthesia or Sedation

Dentists using sedation or anesthesia must monitor patients closely and administer the correct dosage. Failing to do so can cause harm such as breathing problems, low blood pressure, or even loss of consciousness. In some cases, patients are not properly informed of sedation risks ahead of time.

We assist clients who were injured due to:

• Over-sedation or improper drug use
• Lack of monitoring during the procedure
• Failure to take a full medical history before sedation

These incidents can lead to serious medical complications and are often preventable with proper screening and care.

Contact a Legal Team That Can Support Your Case

If you believe you were injured due to substandard dental treatment, we may be able to help. A Washington DC dental malpractice lawyer at Cohen & Cohen can evaluate your case and explain your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to listen, support, and help you take the next step forward.

6 Steps Our Lawyer May Recommend After a Harmful Procedure

A trip to the dentist should leave you feeling better—not worse. When a routine procedure results in injury, infection, or unnecessary pain, it can be hard to know where to turn. At Cohen & Cohen, we’ve helped many people who were hurt by careless dental treatment. If you think something went wrong during your care, there are important steps you can take early on to protect your health and legal options.

Get Medical Attention From Another Provider

If you’re in pain or something doesn’t feel right after dental work, don’t wait to seek care. It’s important to see a different dentist or medical professional who can assess what happened and help prevent the problem from getting worse. A second opinion also helps create a clearer record of your condition.

Be sure to:

• Ask for copies of all new X-rays and exam results
• Keep records of any prescriptions or recommended follow-up care
• Mention any symptoms that started right after the original procedure

This documentation may later support a claim that the original provider acted improperly.

Save All Records and Communication

Hold on to anything you received from the dental office, including appointment summaries, billing records, consent forms, and emails. If you had phone conversations with staff, make a note of what was said and when. These details can be helpful later when reviewing how the situation was handled.

Include:

• Written instructions provided after treatment
• Notes about calls, pain symptoms, or delays in care
• Insurance correspondence or denial letters

The more information you have, the easier it will be to show what happened and how the provider responded.

Don’t Agree to Further Work Right Away

Some providers may offer to “fix” a mistake quickly to avoid further attention. While this might seem like a good solution at first, it’s important to understand your legal rights before agreeing to any additional procedures. You may unintentionally give up your chance to hold them responsible for the original error.

If you’re unsure about your next step, speak with a legal professional before scheduling more treatment with the same provider.

Write Down What You Experienced

It’s helpful to keep a written account of what happened, especially while the details are fresh. Include the date and type of procedure, what symptoms followed, and how your daily life has been affected. Even short notes can help you stay organized and provide important context later.

You can also keep track of:

• Missed work or lost income
• Pain while eating, speaking, or sleeping
• Any emotional stress or changes in confidence due to appearance

This personal record helps show the full impact of the injury—not just the medical facts, but how it’s affected your life.

Be Cautious With What You Say to the Office or Insurer

Avoid making statements or signing forms before understanding what you’re agreeing to. Anything you say may be used to downplay your injuries or shift responsibility away from the provider. Politely decline to make detailed statements until you’ve reviewed your situation with someone who represents your interests.

Washington Dental Malpractice Infographic

Washington DC Dental Malpractice FAQ

Most people trust their dentist to provide safe and professional care. But when a dental procedure causes serious harm, the consequences can be painful, expensive, and long-lasting. Dental malpractice occurs when a dentist or oral healthcare provider fails to follow accepted standards, resulting in injury or avoidable damage. Victims may suffer from nerve injuries, infections, or even permanent loss of function. If you’ve been harmed during a dental visit, understanding your legal rights can help you decide what to do next. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about dental malpractice claims.

Who can be held responsible for a dental injury?

The primary person responsible in most cases is the dentist who performed the procedure. However, other members of the dental team—such as hygienists, oral surgeons, or dental assistants—may also be liable if their actions contributed to the injury. Dental offices, clinics, or larger healthcare organizations could also share responsibility depending on who employs the staff or manages the facility. Each case depends on the details of what happened, who was involved, and whether proper protocols were followed during the appointment or procedure.

What actions qualify as dental malpractice?

Dental malpractice includes any situation where a provider causes harm by failing to meet the accepted standard of care. Examples include misdiagnosis, incorrect use of anesthesia, failure to identify oral diseases, damage to surrounding tissue or nerves, and performing unnecessary procedures. Delayed treatment or poor sterilization that leads to infection may also qualify. The harm must result in actual injury, such as permanent damage, loss of teeth, or significant pain. Just being unhappy with the results of treatment is not enough to qualify as malpractice.

Why should someone file a legal claim after a dental injury?

Filing a legal claim can help cover the costs associated with the injury, including corrective dental work, medical treatment, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In more serious cases, the injury may require long-term care or cause lasting disability. A legal claim also holds the provider accountable and may prevent future harm to others. If the injury was caused by carelessness or poor judgment, the patient has the right to seek compensation. Legal action is often the only way to recover what’s been lost due to substandard care.

How does legal representation help in dental malpractice cases?

A law firm can investigate the details of your case, gather dental records, consult with independent professionals, and determine whether the care you received met the legal standard. At Cohen & Cohen, we represent individuals who have been harmed by dental negligence. If you need a Washington DC dental malpractice lawyer, our team is here to review your case, explain your options, and help you seek fair compensation. Dental malpractice cases require strong evidence and detailed legal knowledge, which is why working with a legal team can improve your chance of success.

Who is allowed to file a dental malpractice claim?

The person who was harmed during dental treatment has the right to file a claim. If the injured person is a minor, a parent or legal guardian can take legal action on their behalf. In rare cases where dental malpractice results in death, the victim’s family may file a wrongful death claim. Timing matters—there are legal deadlines, called statutes of limitations, which limit how long you have to bring a claim. Acting promptly helps preserve evidence and gives you a better chance at a strong legal outcome.

Contact Our Lawyer Who Handles Dental Malpractice Cases

If you’ve been injured during dental care, you may be entitled to compensation for pain, treatment costs, and long-term damage. A Washington DC dental malpractice lawyer at Cohen & Cohen can help you take the next step. Contact us today for a free consultation—we’re here to support you with trusted guidance and experience.