New York Law Firm Assists Lingual Nerve Damage Victims
Winning compensation for injuries caused by dental malpractice
An improperly performed dental procedure or oral surgery can damage the lingual nerve, which provide sensation to the front and middle of the tongue and the floor of the mouth, helping to convey senses of both touch and taste. Damage to these nerves can cause a range of conditions and complications. If you believe that your nerve damage was the result of doctor error, negligence or unpreparedness, the experienced attorneys of Rich & Rich, P.C. can help you pursue fair compensation. We serve clients in Greater New York and Long Island.
What are lingual nerve injuries?
Lingual nerve damage is an avoidable nerve injury that can range in severity from a stretch or bruise injury that usually resolves itself within a few days or weeks to a completely severed lingual nerve that may require surgical repair and cause lifelong pain and complications. Lingual nerve injuries can occur if a dentist or oral surgeon improperly uses a drill, scalpel or other instrument during oral surgery.
Common causes of lingual nerve injuries
Lingual nerve injuries may occur as a result of such instances of dental malpractice as:
- Negligent wisdom tooth extraction — The use of excessive force with sharp dental instruments, such as a drill or scalpel, during the removal of lower wisdom teeth can cut the lingual nerve.
- Dental implant placement errors — Dental implants need to be anchored to your mouth, but if they are improperly placed, they may damage the lingual nerve.
- Periodontal surgery negligence — Cutting too deeply when removing infected tissue and reshaping the gums may injure the lingual nerve.
If you suffer lingual nerve injuries after these or any other dental or oral surgical procedures, you should seriously consider consulting with a dental malpractice attorney.
Effects of lingual nerve damage
Depending on the severity of injury to the lingual nerve, the damage could be quite extensive. Nerve damage from tooth extraction can result in the following complications:
- Numbness of the tongue, gums and floor of the mouth
- Tingling (paresthesia) of the tongue, gums and floor of the mouth
- Pain and burning (dysesthesia) of the tongue, gums and floor of the mouth
- Neuropathy
- Chronic pain syndrome
- Loss of taste
- Pain or difficulty conversing
Some lingual nerve damage complications may be temporary while others are permanent. For victims of negligence whose injuries are long-lasting, it is common to experience loss of quality of life and other emotional effects due the chronic painful symptoms of a lingual nerve injury.
Understanding your right to bring legal action
Dental malpractice occurs when a dentist or oral surgeon fails to meet the standard of care expected in their profession. To recover financial compensation, you need to prove a causal connection between the treatment you received and the injuries you suffer. We prove our clients’ claims by investigating how the dental procedure was performed and enlisting experts to evaluate the lingual injury and its cause. Once we prove the cause and extent of your nerve damage, you are entitled to fair compensation for pain and suffering, medical costs, future losses and costs and any emotional trauma or other harm.
In most cases, you must file a lawsuit no later than two and a half years after the procedure or you may lose your right to sue. For this reason, you should not wait to seek legal assistance. At Rich & Rich, P.C., we have a proven track record of success advocating for victims of lingual nerve damage. In one recent case, our firm achieved a $2.3 million jury verdict — one of the highest-valued cases on record. In another recent case, we negotiated a high-six figure settlement.
Contact a New York lingual nerve injury attorney for a free consultation today
Rich & Rich, PC. represents lingual nerve injury victims throughout Greater New York and Long Island. We have offices in midtown Manhattan and in Roslyn Heights. Call 917-746-3358 or contact us online.
