FAQs

A dental expert witness is a practicing dental professional who possesses the knowledge to examine the facts of a potential dental malpractice claim to determine if the course of treatment was either negligent or proper to the situation. In general, a successful dental expert witness will possess impeccable professional credentials and be acknowledged as a successful practitioner in their own right.

Dental malpractice can be responsible for pain, temporary or permanent injury, loss of function, or even death. Like medical malpractice, however, an adverse result alone is not grounds for seeking a personal injury claim. A plaintiff has to be able to establish that their dentist was either negligent or committed intentional misconduct. In other words, they either inadvertently failed to provide an acceptable standard of care or deliberately did something wrong. A defendant, on the other hand, has to be able to show that the course of treatment they pursued was one that a reasonable oral health care practitioner would have recommended in a similar situation. An experienced expert witness is essential for examining your case, establishing a claim for malpractice or building a defense, and providing testimony that will make your claim clear for non-experts.

As soon as possible! It can be tricky separating out the results of bad treatment from bad luck, but knowing which is which is critical for establishing your legal strategy. For example, having an expert witness review can save a plaintiff from pursuing a claim that is unlikely to be successful in court, or may prompt a defendant to settle a case rather than take it to a potentially costly trial. Expert advice can help you determine if the standard of care fell short or not and find supporting evidence in the files to document your position.

Our initial consultation is always free. Dr. Stein will go over the basics of the case to determine the appropriate steps for evaluation and outline the associated fees for his recommendations.

Fees will depend on the extent of examination and consulting work. In general, the more complicated the case, the higher the fees. However, all anticipated costs will be outlined up front. Should changing circumstances warrant additional work not covered in the initial assessment, you will be notified prior to any new tasks being undertaken.