Dental negligence occurs when a dentist or other oral-health professional provides care that falls below the standard expected of reasonably competent clinicians, and the patient is harmed as a direct result. In a market town like Eccleshall, where residents often visit trusted practices such as Eccleshall Dental Clinic or rely on services within the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, any breach of that trust feels personal. If poor treatment has left you in pain or facing expensive corrective work, a dental negligence claim could help you recover both your health and your finances.
At Marley Solicitors, we support local clients with no win, no fee funding, meaning you pay nothing unless we succeed. Our specialist team has secured compensation for many people across Staffordshire, and we are ready to help you too.
What is a dental negligence claim?
A dental negligence claim is a legal action that seeks compensation for harm caused by substandard dental treatment. Unlike a simple complaint letter to the practice, a claim can cover physical pain, the cost of corrective work and long-term consequences, such as nerve damage or chronic infections.
Can I claim dental negligence compensation in Eccleshall?
Yes. If a dentist in Eccleshall, whether NHS or private, failed in their duty of care and you suffered injury, you may have grounds to claim compensation. You generally have three years from the date of treatment, or when you first realised something was wrong to start legal proceedings.
Common examples of dental negligence
Eccleshall clients approach Marley Solicitors with many different problems, but the most frequent include:
- Misdiagnosis – failure to spot decay, gum disease or oral cancer
- Wrong tooth extraction – removing or damaging a healthy tooth
- Poorly fitted crowns, bridges or implants that cause pain or infection
- Inadequate sterilisation leading to serious infections
- Nerve injury during root-canal work or implant placement
- Lack of informed consent before a procedure or anaesthesia
Any of these issues can require extensive corrective treatment at Stafford Dental Centre or University Hospitals of North Midlands. A successful claim can recover those costs.
Immediate steps if you suspect dental negligence
- Seek medical advice quickly to limit ongoing damage
- Request your dental records – you have a legal right to them
- Keep a symptom diary with dates, photographs and prescription receipts
- Gather witness details if anyone attended appointments with you
- Contact Marley Solicitors for a free case assessment
Acting early protects evidence and strengthens your position.
The legal process explained
Many people in Eccleshall worry that litigation will be intimidating. We streamline matters:
- Free initial consultation – honest advice on your prospects
- Obtaining records – we secure your x-rays and treatment notes
- Independent expert review – a senior dentist provides a written opinion
- Letter of claim – outlines allegations and requests compensation
- Negotiation or mediation – most cases settle before court
- Court proceedings – only if the insurer refuses a fair offer
Throughout, our no win, no fee agreement means you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.
What will compensation cover?
Compensation aims to put you back in the position you would have been in. Typical losses covered by dental negligence claims include:
- Corrective dental surgery, crowns, implants or orthodontic work
- Private medical or physiotherapy fees if jaw or facial nerves are damaged
- Pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Psychological counselling for dental phobia or anxiety
- Travel costs to specialist units such as Stafford County Hospital
- Past and future loss of earnings if eating or speaking is affected
We calculate damages carefully, using medical evidence and case-law precedents to maximise your award.
Eccleshall-specific considerations
Living in Eccleshall means you may rely on smaller surgeries with limited equipment, referring serious cases to Stafford or Stoke-on-Trent. Local practices sometimes keep handwritten notes rather than full digital records, which can complicate claims. Marley Solicitors has extensive experience retrieving every scrap of information, ensuring no essential detail is missed.
We also recognise the practical impact of travel. Corrective appointments often require multiple 20-minute drives along the A5013 toward County Hospital. Fuel, parking and time away from work add up quickly; we include these costs in your claim.
Time limits and exceptions
The standard three-year limit can be extended in certain situations:
- Children – the clock starts on their eighteenth birthday
- Mental capacity – no limit applies while capacity is lacking
- Late knowledge – if harm emerges later, you have three years from that discovery
Do not delay. Courts rarely allow extensions if you simply decide to “wait and see”.
Potential compensation values
Every claim is unique, but recent Staffordshire settlements show the range:
- Minor nerve damage requiring short-term therapy: £3,000–£6,000
- Loss of multiple teeth with implants: £10,000–£25,000
- Significant nerve injury causing lifelong numbness: £30,000–£45,000
- Complex reconstruction and chronic pain: £50,000–£80,000
These figures are guidelines. Our solicitors will always aim to secure the highest award justified by medical evidence, ensuring you are not left out of pocket for future dental maintenance. We will advise once our dental expert has assessed your injury and future needs.
How we prove your claim
Establishing dental negligence means demonstrating that no reasonably competent dentist would have acted in the way yours did and that their error caused you measurable harm. English courts rely on two landmark principles:
- Bolam test, whether a responsible body of dental practitioners would have acted the same way
- Bolitho test, whether that professional opinion withstands logical scrutiny
We instruct independent experts with at least ten years of post-qualification experience. Their reports often persuade insurers to settle early.
Real example of success in Eccleshall
Marley Solicitors recently acted for Mrs H, a 42-year-old teacher from Eccleshall who visited her dentist with persistent gum pain. The dentist prescribed antibiotics but failed to take radiographs. Six months later an abscess ruptured, leading to emergency surgery at County Hospital and the loss of two molars.
We obtained her records, commissioned a periodontist and proved that timely x-rays would have revealed the infection. The case settled for £28,500, covering private implant work, six months of lost overtime, travel, childcare and counselling costs.
Evidence checklist for patients
Building a strong case starts the moment you suspect something is wrong. Use this checklist:
- Request a full copy of your dental chart, treatment notes and radiographs
- Photograph swelling, bruising or failed restorations at each stage
- Note dates of painkillers, antibiotics and time off work
- Save appointment cards and email confirmations
- Keep receipts for corrective treatment and travel
- Record conversations with healthcare staff; written summaries are fine
- Ask friends or family who accompanied you to write a brief statement
These simple steps preserve vital details that can be hard to retrieve later. Solid documentation often makes insurers agree to liability much sooner. Thorough evidence acts as leverage during early settlement negotiations.
The Marley advantage for rural clients
Many national firms operate from city call centres. Our Eccleshall office offers face-to-face access plus secure video calls for busy professionals. We maintain relationships with local dentists willing to provide independent reports, which speeds up the process compared with waiting lists at larger agencies.
We also partner with physiotherapists and counsellors across Staffordshire, ensuring you receive interim care while the claim progresses. Our holistic approach supports recovery as well as compensation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a claim?
Nothing upfront. Our no win, no fee agreement covers legal fees, and we arrange insurance for court and expert costs so you are fully protected.
Will I have to go to court?
Most Eccleshall dental negligence cases settle through negotiation. Fewer than ten per cent of our claims reach trial, and we prepare you thoroughly if attendance is required.
Ready to talk? Contact us today
If negligent dental care has left you in pain, contact Marley Solicitors now for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our Eccleshall team is ready to explain your options, arrange expert assessments and pursue maximum compensation on a no win, no fee basis. Call us, complete an online enquiry or visit our Stafford office – justice starts with one conversation.
