Our law firm summarizes medical malpractice cases that are filed in Maryland. The most common malpractice lawsuit might be lingual nerve injury claims filed against dentists. They are wildly common. The case we look at below is another dental malpractice nerve injury case involving the lingual nerve.
Does our law firm handle these cases? We do not. But we do refer these cases to a dental malpractice lawyer who regularly brings these cases.
Baker v. National Harbor Dental Associates, DDS, P.A.Lingual nerve injuries during tooth extraction are common nor are malpractice lawsuits involving lingual nerve injuries. This is the 17th malpractice lawsuit filed in Maryland 2018 but not the first lingual nerve injury case. Usually, these injuries are temporary and resolve with time. In this scenario, an avoidable lingual nerve injury occurred that is seemingly permanent. In this case, it is alleged that injury was not detected until later despite the patient's complaints and she developed additional health complications.
Summary of Plaintiff's AllegationsThe plaintiff is undergoing a dental examination performed by the defendants. She is told that her lower third molars (or wisdom teeth) should be removed. During extraction, the plaintiff's inferior alveolar nerve is traumatized. This nerve controls sensation in the lower teeth. The plaintiff then develops numbness to the left side of her lips, chin, and gums.
When the plaintiff complains about this numbness several days later, the defendants tell her that it's a temporary side effect. In June, the plaintiff returns with an infection at the site of the tooth extraction. The infection is drained and the plaintiff is given antibiotics by the defendant. The infection persists and the plaintiff is hospitalized roughly one week alter.
The plaintiff is diagnosed with increased swelling and a lesion to the left side of her face. These conditions are treated with an antibiotic IV. The plaintiff is later diagnosed with cellulitis and a facial abscess. She's also found to have continued anesthesia to the left side of the mouth and gums. She seeks a second opinion about her condition from a dentist. The dentist determines she has a permanent fistula and osteomyelitis of the left posterior mandible. A fistula is an infected tunnel that develops in organs like blood vessels while Osteomyelitis is a bone infection. He also determines she has a permanent lingual nerve injury from the earlier tooth extraction.
Case AnalysisThe plaintiff's certifying expert is Armond Kotikian, DDS. Dr. Kotikian is board certified in general surgery as well as oral and maxillofacial surgery. His report confirms that the defendants traumatized the plaintiff's nerve and failed to take corrective action as dictated by the standard of care. Dr. Kotikian also alleges the defendants did not take appropriate precautions before performing the surgery. He concludes that the plaintiff's nerve injury is permanent. He expressed that she will have painful numbness to the left side of her face which interferes with her ability to eat or perform other functions.
Alleged NegligenceA dentist and National Harbor Dental Associates, DDS, P.A.
JurisdictionPrince George's County
Similar CasesHas a dentist's negligence caused a serious injury? You are entitled to justice and compensation for the harm done to you or a loved one. Miller & Zois is here to help you. We have a long history of obtaining large settlements and verdicts in medical malpractice cases in Maryland. Get a free online case review or call us today at (800) 553-8082.