Dental clinic sued for medical malpractice

Parents in Louisiana rely on doctors and nurses to guide them in the best care for their children. The years medical professionals spend in school and training sometimes give parents a false sense of security. Unfortunately, the best interests of a patient sometimes takes a back seat to profits. A recent lawsuit in another state alleges fraud and medical malpractice regarding unnecessary dental work and invasive procedures on children performed without a parent’s consent.

The lawsuit was one filed after 57 cases of serious infections and abscesses in the mouths and necks of children were discovered. All of the children received treatment at the same dental clinic, mostly consisting of baby root canals. The water at the clinic was found to contain a mycobacteria that can cause serious infections. After the discovery, the clinic was ordered to stop using the water in procedures.

In a civil court, a family of a 6-year-old autistic boy alleges that the same dental clinic used a device akin to a straightjacket on their son during some painful invasive procedures. They also allege that local anesthesia was not administered. The clinic is accused of pressuring parents into unnecessary procedures for their children in order to increase profits. Another lawsuit is said to be in the works for another one of the children who suffered a serious infection resulting from treatment at the clinic.

It is unfortunate that so many children were affected by the dental clinic’s alleged medical malpractice. Patients who have suffered from suspected medical malpractice in Louisiana could benefit from speaking with an attorney to discuss the potential for a claim for monetary damages in civil court. While compensation will not take away the pain and suffering one may experience as a result of malpractice, it could offset any financial losses that may arise.

Source: CBS Los Angeles, “Lawsuit Accuses Children’s Dental Group Of Fraud, Medical Malpractice“, Nov. 7, 2016