Dental Negligence Claim Calculator: What Is Your Claim Worth?
A dental negligence claim calculator can give you an initial indication of what your claim may be worth if you have suffered avoidable injury following negligent dental treatment.
Compensation can vary considerably depending on the type and severity of the injury, whether you need further treatment and any financial losses you have experienced.
Our calculator is designed to provide a useful starting point, but every claim is different, so the final value will depend on the individual evidence and circumstances of your case.
Reach out to us today on 0800 0747 644 or complete a Free Online Enquiry to tell us more about your situation.
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Use Our Dental Negligence Compensation Calculator
Use our calculator below to get an initial indication of the compensation that may be available for a dental negligence claim.
The figure provided by the calculator is an estimate only. It should not be treated as a guaranteed settlement amount.
The final value of a dental negligence claim can depend on medical and dental evidence, the extent of your injury, your recovery, any future treatment requirements and the financial losses you have experienced.
How Is Dental Negligence Compensation Calculated?
Dental negligence compensation is intended, as far as money can reasonably do so, to compensate you for the harm and losses caused by negligent treatment.
The amount you may receive will depend on the circumstances of your individual case. Compensation is commonly divided into two broad categories: general damages and special damages.
General damages compensate you for the injury itself. This can include physical pain, discomfort, loss of function and the effect the injury has had on your quality of life.
Special damages relate to the financial impact of the negligence. This could include the cost of corrective dental treatment, travel expenses, loss of earnings and other reasonable costs you have incurred because of the injury.
In some cases, compensation may also take account of losses or treatment costs that are expected to arise in the future.
What Can Affect the Value of a Dental Negligence Claim?
There is no fixed amount of compensation awarded for dental negligence. Even two people who have experienced similar treatment problems may receive different levels of compensation because the consequences can be very different.
The severity of the injury is one of the most important factors. Damage to a single tooth that can be corrected relatively easily may be valued differently from permanent nerve damage, the loss of several teeth or an injury requiring extensive reconstructive treatment.
The length of your recovery can also affect the value of your claim. Some patients may experience discomfort for a short period, while others may require several procedures over months or years.
The location and number of teeth affected may also be relevant, particularly where the injury has a noticeable cosmetic impact.
Future treatment requirements can be particularly important when assessing compensation. For example, a person who requires replacement crowns, implants or other restorative treatment at intervals throughout their life may face significant future costs.
The financial consequences of the injury will also be considered. If you have had to pay for corrective treatment, take time away from work or travel to additional appointments, these losses may form part of your claim where they can be linked to the negligence.
What Types of Dental Negligence Could Lead to Compensation?
Dental negligence can arise in many different circumstances.
A claim may be possible where a dentist or other dental professional provided treatment that fell below an acceptable professional standard and this caused you avoidable harm.
Examples can include the incorrect extraction of a tooth, avoidable nerve damage, poorly performed root canal treatment and problems associated with crowns, bridges or dental implants.
Claims may also arise where gum disease, decay or another dental condition was not diagnosed or treated appropriately, resulting in avoidable deterioration.
In other circumstances, a patient may have undergone unnecessary treatment or may not have been given appropriate information about significant risks and reasonable treatment options.
A disappointing result does not automatically mean that negligence has occurred. Dentistry involves recognised risks and complications that can happen even when treatment is carried
out properly. A successful claim will normally require evidence that the care provided fell below the appropriate standard and that this caused or materially contributed to the injury.
What Does a Dental Negligence Claim Cover?
A dental negligence claim can cover more than the immediate pain or damage caused by treatment.
Compensation may include an amount for the pain and suffering associated with the injury and its impact on your everyday life.
It may also include the reasonable cost of treatment required to correct or manage the damage caused by the negligence. This could involve restorative dental work, replacement crowns, bridges, implants or other procedures, depending on your circumstances.
Where appropriate, you may also be able to recover other financial losses.
For example, if you have had to take unpaid time off work for corrective treatment, your loss of earnings may form part of your claim. Reasonable travel costs associated with additional appointments may also be recoverable.
Receipts, invoices, payslips and other records can therefore be important when establishing the financial value of a claim.
Future losses may also need to be considered. Dental restorations do not always last indefinitely, so expert evidence may be required to determine whether further treatment is likely to be necessary and how much it may cost over time.
How Accurate Is a Dental Negligence Claim Calculator?
A dental negligence claim calculator can provide a useful starting point, but it cannot give a definitive valuation of your individual case.
The calculator does not have access to your dental records, X-rays, expert evidence or detailed information about how the injury has affected your life. It may also be unable to account fully for future treatment requirements and financial losses.
For this reason, the figure produced by a calculator should be treated as an indication rather than a guaranteed amount.
A more detailed assessment can take account of the full circumstances of your case, including the nature of your injury, your prognosis, the treatment you may require in the future and the financial consequences of the negligence.
At Grieves Solicitors, we can consider these factors when assessing a potential dental negligence claim and explain how compensation may be calculated in your particular circumstances.
What Evidence Can Help Support a Dental Negligence Claim?
Evidence plays an important role in determining both whether negligence occurred and how much compensation may be appropriate.
Your dental records are likely to be a key source of evidence. These may include treatment notes, X-rays, scans, treatment plans and correspondence relating to your care.
Photographs can also be useful, particularly where the injury has caused visible damage or changes to the appearance of your teeth.
You should also consider keeping records of any expenses you have incurred. These might include invoices for corrective treatment, prescription costs, travel expenses and evidence of lost earnings.
Independent expert evidence is often required in dental negligence claims. An appropriately qualified expert may be asked to consider whether the treatment you received met the required professional standard and whether any failure in care caused your injury.
Expert evidence may also be required to assess your prognosis and identify any dental treatment you are likely to require in the future.
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How Long Do I Have to Make a Dental Negligence Claim?
In England and Wales, dental negligence claims will generally need to be started within three years of the negligent treatment or the date on which you first knew, or could reasonably have known, that you had suffered a significant injury that may have been caused by negligence.
Different rules can apply in some circumstances.
For example, where the injured person was under 18 at the time of the negligence, the usual three-year period does not normally begin until their 18th birthday. Different provisions can also apply where a person lacks the mental capacity required to conduct legal proceedings.
Limitation rules can be complex, and waiting until the end of the three-year period can make a claim more difficult to investigate. If you believe you may have experienced negligent dental treatment, it is sensible to seek legal advice as early as possible.
How Do I Start a Dental Negligence Claim?
A dental negligence claim will normally begin with a discussion about what happened, the treatment you received and the problems you have experienced since.
Your solicitor can then obtain and review relevant dental records and other evidence.
Where appropriate, an independent dental expert may be instructed to assess the standard of care you received. The expert may also consider whether any failings caused the injury you are claiming for.
If there is sufficient evidence to support a claim, the value of your injuries and financial losses can then be assessed. This may include obtaining evidence about your future treatment needs and calculating expenses or loss of earnings.
Many claims can be resolved through negotiation. Court proceedings may be required in some cases, but this does not necessarily mean that the claim will ultimately proceed to a trial.
Your solicitor should keep you informed throughout the process and explain your options at each stage.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Dental Negligence?
The amount of compensation you could receive depends on the harm you have suffered and the financial effect it has had on you.
A relatively minor injury requiring limited corrective treatment may result in a different level of compensation from an injury involving permanent tooth loss, nerve damage or extensive ongoing dental work.
The value of the claim may also increase where there are significant financial losses or substantial future treatment costs.
Using our dental negligence compensation calculator can help you obtain an initial estimate, but an individual legal assessment is usually necessary to understand what your particular claim may be worth.
Can I Claim for Corrective Dental Treatment?
If you need reasonable corrective treatment because of negligent dental care, the associated cost may be included as part of your claim.
The treatment must usually be necessary as a consequence of the injury caused by the negligence.
Where substantial or long-term treatment is required, expert evidence may help establish what treatment is appropriate and what it is likely to cost.
Do I Need an Independent Dental Expert?
Independent expert evidence is commonly required in dental negligence claims.
An expert can assess whether the treatment you received fell below the standard reasonably expected of a competent dental professional.
They can also provide an opinion on whether that failure caused your injury and what treatment or difficulties you may experience in the future.
The need for expert evidence will depend on the circumstances of the individual case.
Can I Make a Claim If I Have Changed Dentists?
Changing dentist does not prevent you from making a dental negligence claim.
Your previous dental records can usually be obtained as part of the investigation, and records from your new dentist may also provide useful evidence about the condition of your teeth and any corrective treatment you have required.
If you have already received further treatment, keep copies of any invoices, treatment plans and correspondence where possible.
Speak to Grieves Solicitors About Your Dental Negligence Claim
If you believe negligent dental treatment has caused you avoidable injury, Grieves Solicitors can help you understand your options.
Our dental negligence claim calculator can provide an initial indication of potential compensation, but the value of every case depends on its individual circumstances.
We can assess what happened, consider the evidence available and explain whether you may have grounds to pursue a dental negligence claim.
Contact Grieves Solicitors today to discuss your circumstances and find out how we may be able to help.
Our caring and supportive team are here to listen and advise on 0800 0747 644. Or you can complete a Free Online Enquiry to set up a free consultation or tell us more about your story.
Here at Grieves Solicitors, Personal Injury Specialists, we offer a no win, no fee solution to funding your claim (a conditional fee agreement) which means that you do not have to worry about legal costs and expenses. You can read about our no win, no fee agreement here.
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