Patient Got Hepatitis C from Dentist

[mrjnelson]

My question involves medical malpractice in the state of: maryland

have a client who was trying to get life insurance. was declined for hep C. i informed the client (who became alarmed). client is non drug, non drinking, non running around, BUT he did have $3500 of dental work done between jan and march of this year. was in the chair every two weeks. I told them to check with primary doc for prior blood work and get blood work done again to confirm hep c. two questions...should we inform state medical folks??? i would think that the other patients this dentist saw over three months should be notified they may have hep c...second question: is this something my client could go after the dentist for???? I think the medical treatments are very expensive...let alone the emotional the duress...and the fact he will have trouble getting reasonable life insurance now.

[jmjens2]

I am not an expert on this, but did have a family member who lived with hepatitis C.
It is VERY difficult for a person to get hepatitis from a dentist.
Hepatitis C is spread by exposure to HCV-infected blood.
Dentists are required by law, to keep all their dental and surgery impliments sterilised and clean and new needles are used with every patient.
I would check into other ways that your client could have contracted the disease.
Your client may have contracted the disease years ago and not known about it.
Some people have been known to have the disease for 20 years with out any sypmptoms.
Only 25 to 35 percent of people who are infected have symptoms.
Hepatitis C was identified in 1989. Anyone who received a blood transfusion before 1990 is at risk.
What is most important is that your client gets the medical help that they need.

[Mr. Knowitall]

I told them to check with primary doc for prior blood work and get blood work done again to confirm hep c. two questions...should we inform state medical folks?

Right now, from what you say, you're just speculating. I suggest reporting your suspicion to a public health agency such as the Community Health Administration for investigation.

[KeyWestDan]

The VA is in big trouble for giving lots of patients Hep C and HIV from not decontaminating equipment in colonoscopys.

There is no telling how he got it. It would take some real investigation.

It would be grounds for a civil action if the dentist is responsible.

If it is reported, a state agency would have an easier time of looking at his records and contacting other patients and have them tested. If the dentist gave it to other people, then you all would have a better shot at damages in a civil case. A complaint to the dental board of the state might also work.

The docs insurance company or the doc might settle out of court even before a suit is filed.

If he thinks about going that route, he will need a medical malpractice attorney and follow all the notice requirements in the state. The attorney has to do his own investigation to determine if a suit is proper and put his neck on the line to proceed to oourt. Many of these smaller issues are settled during the investigation phase.