Oral and Maxillofacial is considered a specialist area of surgery and concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, face and neck. It is often seen as both medicine and dentistry which focuses on diagnosing, managing, and treating oral and facial injuries. Due to the nature of the surgeries that are performed, oral and maxillofacial surgeons work alongside a variety of other specialists, such as ENT surgeons, plastic surgeons, orthodontists, clinical oncologists, restorative dentists, radiologists, and neurosurgeons.
The specialties or oral and maxillofacial can include:
- Cancers of the neck and of the head
- Cosmetic surgery on the face
- Surgery on the craniofacial area for adults or for children
- Trauma on the cranio-maxillofacial area
Common treatments involve:
- Surgery for all types of jaw correction, and reconstruction of facial symmetry
- Surgical treatment for sleep apnoea,
- Genioplasty (cosmetic correction of the jaw)
- Cosmetic surgery performed either on the neck or on the head for example a rhinoplasty, (nasal operation) or otoplasty, (operation to correct enlarged, deformed ears)
- Dental implants
- Dentistry
- Pre-implant surgery placement of dental implants
- Removal of impacted teeth
- Intra-oral and facial soft tissue procedures
- Removal of buried dental roots
- Removal of wisdom teeth
- Reconstruction and Removal
- Facial reconstruction
- Jaw reconstruction
- Removal of cysts and tumours of the jaws
- Removal of complex facial skin tumours
- Cosmetic surgeries
- Face lifts
- Eyelid and brow surgery
- Rhinoplasties
- Other surgeries
- Facial deformities such as cleft lip surgery
- Management of benign and malignant lesions of the salivary glands
- Management and surgery for head and neck cancer
- Management of complex craniofacial fractures and soft tissue injuries of the mouth, face and neck
What negligence can happen?
It's essential for oral and maxillofacial surgeons and their teams to adhere to high standards of care, maintain open communication with patients, and continuously evaluate and improve their practices to prevent instances of negligence.
Negligence claims can occur for many reasons, due to the extensive surgeries that are performed, however the main reasons for negligence are:
- Failure to treat a medical issue in a timely manner;
- Failure to diagnose;
- Misdiagnosis;
- Surgical errors: Mistakes made during surgery such as incorrect incisions, improper use of surgical instruments, or errors in administering anaesthesia can result in serious complications or injuries to the patient.
- Procedure carried out incorrectly, causing further injury; and
- The wrong treatment being carried out.
- Failure to obtain informed consent: Surgeons must ensure that patients fully understand the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a procedure before consenting to it. Failure to adequately inform patients or obtain their consent can lead to legal issues.
- Post-operative care negligence: After surgery, patients require appropriate monitoring and care to prevent complications. Negligence in post-operative care can include failure to monitor vital signs, administer medications properly, or recognize and address complications promptly.
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis: Failure to properly diagnose oral and maxillofacial conditions or delaying diagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment or progression of the disease, leading to harm to the patient.
- Medication errors: Errors in prescribing or administering medications can lead to adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, or other complications for the patient.
- Failure to follow standards of care: Surgeons and healthcare professionals are expected to adhere to established standards of care in their field. Failure to follow these standards, such as not using appropriate surgical techniques or neglecting to follow up with patients after surgery, can be considered negligent.
- Lack of proper training or supervision: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons must undergo extensive training and maintain competence in their specialty. Negligence can occur if a surgeon performs procedures beyond their level of training or if there is a lack of supervision of less experienced staff.
- Communication errors: Poor communication between healthcare providers, patients, and other members of the healthcare team can lead to misunderstandings, mistakes, and ultimately patient harm.
Why Pursue a Personal Injury Claim?
- Financial Compensation: Medical negligence can result in substantial medical expenses, ongoing costs, and loss of income. A personal injury claim can help you secure the financial compensation needed to cover these expenses and ensure a stable future.
- Rehabilitation and Support: Recovering often requires extensive rehabilitation and ongoing support. A successful personal injury claim can provide the resources necessary for specialised treatments, therapy, and assistance to enhance your recovery process.
- Holding Responsible Parties Accountable: By pursuing a personal injury claim, you not only seek compensation but also hold those responsible for the negligence accountable. The claim can also help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
- Quality of Life Improvements: Compensation from a personal injury claim can enable you to access the best available medical care, support services, and medical technologies.
A compensation can cover:
- Loss of earnings and pension arising due to the negligence
- Costs of treatment, therapies and equipment
- Ongoing care costs
- Lifestyle changes to accommodate any condition
- Physical and psychological conditions arising from negligence
Compensation Routes
We offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your case and discuss your legal options. Let us help you to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
There are time scales and you should contact us as soon as possible to investigate an action for you
Your well-being is our priority, and we are committed to providing you with the legal representation you need during this challenging time.
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