It is fair to say that there is a certain level of trust that residents of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania place with doctors and other medical providers when they seek assistance for medical conditions. Dentists are included in this group. There are many different types of injuries someone might suffer at the hands of a medical professional including the spread of disease. One that is currently in the news is hepatitis C. A dentist in another state has been accused of passing the disease to 89 or his 7,000 patients. Thus far one of those cases has been confirmed as coming from his dental practice.
The dentist surrendered his professional license earlier this year when individuals from the health department uncovered several health violations at his practice including:
- Improper handling of needles
- Unlicensed employees sedating patients with IVs
- Issues with the way in which instruments were sanitized
The state’s investigation was prompted by the diagnosis of hepatitis C in an individual who went to the dentist. It is not clear if that individual was the one who was confirmed to have received the illness from the dentist office. In the course of the testing four individuals were diagnosed with HIV as well. Those cases are being investigated to determine whether there is a connection to the dentist office as well.
At this point it is unclear what legal consequences the dentist could face. Even if criminal charges are not filed, it is highly likely that anyone whose hepatitis C is traced back to the dentist, will file a medical malpractice lawsuit regarding the matter. There is a good reason why someone in that position may decide to do so. The disease can result in liver failure or even death. Along the way, the condition can be painful and dramatically change the way in which someone with the condition leads his or her life.
There are many things that go into making a good case for medical malpractice. In most situations working with a medical malpractice lawyer is a necessity.
Source: CNN, “Hepatitis C case linked to Oklahoma dentist's office,” Sept. 18, 2013