Can a Novocaine Injection Cause Permanent Numbness?

A Novocaine injection can cause permanent numbness in rare cases. If you suffered permanent numbness because a dental professional administered it incorrectly in your case, a Fort Lauderdale medical malpractice lawyer could help you identify the precise cause. They can also review your medical or dental records with an expert to determine whether the practice provided you with full disclosure about its risks of use.

Permanent numbness caused by Novocaine use can make daily life difficult and cause long-lasting frustration. You can seek compensation from the medical or dental professional who treated you at the time of your injury. It would help if you also kept getting medical care that might alleviate your symptoms and help you find much-needed relief.

What Are the Symptoms of Permanent Numbness?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, numbness is not always a complete loss of feeling or sensation. Some symptoms of permanent numbness following a dental procedure include loss of feeling in the tongue, teeth, or cheeks.

Permanent numbness could result if the needle used in your dental procedure nicked or fully penetrated a nerve. You might also experience chronic tingling in the affected area. Track and document any symptoms you experience and any related medical records. 

When and Why Do Dentists Use Novocaine?

Dentists and other dental professionals use Novocaine to desensitize your mouth and facial muscles before performing specific procedures that would otherwise cause excruciating pain. Examples of dental procedures that could involve Novocaine include:

• Dental bridge
• Dental implant
• Drilling to fill cavities 
• Extracting wisdom teeth
• Root canals

Many other dental procedures could involve using Novocaine or other numbing agents. If your dentist used it, it would show in your treatment plan—and if you never recovered full sensation in the area, you could be entitled to financial compensation. 

What Are the Risks of Living With Permanent Numbness?

Permanent numbness can lead to daily disruptions that negatively affect your quality of life. For example, it can make chewing and swallowing difficult, leading to nutritional issues. It can also cause drooling and other unfavorable outcomes. 

Chronic numbness can also be a sign of nerve damage. Treatment for nerve damage can become costly and extensive. A personal injury lawsuit can help you prove what caused your permanent nerve damage.

Can You Sue a Dentist for Permanent Numbness Due to Novocaine?

You could sue a dentist if their negligent actions led to your current condition. To seek compensation, you must prove negligence by establishing its legal components:

• Relationship: Proving you have a doctor-patient relationship with the dental professional that established a legal duty of care.
• Breach of duty: Demonstrating that the dentist made a mistake or provided a substandard level of care.
• Causation: Providing evidence that the dentist’s actions directly caused your permanent numbness.
• Damages: Showing how permanent numbness has caused monetary, physical, and psychological harm.

Identifying and documenting these elements can be overwhelming, but it’s essential to determine if you have a valid dental malpractice claim. Moreover, it’s not something you have to manage alone. A dental malpractice lawyer in your area can explain your options and provide clarity and direction on the financial recovery process.

What Proof Do I Need in a Dental Malpractices Case?

In Florida, you must acquire a Certificate of Merit, which asserts that you have a valid dental malpractice claim. It is a combination of legal and medical documents that describes the treatment a qualified peer would have provided. It also describes the treatment you received and how it varied from the acceptable standard of care. 

According to Florida Statutes § 766.104, it must state that:

• The attesting dental professional made a good-faith investigation
• They found grounds for dental negligence 

The dentist who prepares and signs this document must be on par with the dentist who treated you. In addition, you must file the Certificate of Merit within a specified timeline—typically alongside your lawsuit. 

Supportive evidence in your case could include x-rays, medical and dental notes and records, and prescriptions. These items create a comprehensive case file that can establish your right to financial recovery.

How Much Is a Dental Malpractice Lawsuit for Permanent Numbness Worth?

It’s impossible to say precisely how much your lawsuit is worth because every case is different. However, you could recover the following types of damages:

• Current and future lost income 
• Current and future medical expenses
• Corrective dental care
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications
• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional trauma

A trial verdict or settlement agreement permanently resolves your case. Thus, getting the value of your recoverable damages right is essential since you cannot recover additional money once your lawsuit is resolved. 

How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit for Permanent Numbness?

According to Florida Statutes § 95.11(5)(c), you generally have two years to file your dental malpractice lawsuit. However, the statutory filing date for cases like these can be complicated because the applicable date could be:

• The date you received treatment
• The date you discovered your injury 

While potentially complicated, the filing deadline is also mandatory, and you jeopardize your right to compensation if you miss it. Proof of your dental appointment or any resulting prescriptions can help you establish the date of treatment. Evidence of any resulting medical care when your symptoms began troubling you can help you establish the date of discovery.

Get Help Recovering Damages for Permanent Numbness 

If you or someone you love is living with permanent numbness caused by a Novocaine injection, you could recover damage from the dental professional who treated you. At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, we will handle all communication for you, identify and consult relevant experts, and pursue the best possible monetary compensation for you. 

You will work directly with our partners, Jason and Debi, on your injury claim. Contact one of our team members for your no-cost, no-obligation consultation today.