Q: Dentist committed suicide before finishing work, leaving me without bottom teeth and a huge loan. How do I move forward?
On June 19, I had 5 implants placed in my bottom jaw but the dentist tragically committed suicide on July 6 before attaching teeth. I put $12k on a credit card, since paid off, but have a $28k loan I am responsible for. I’ve called the office multiple times, get a backup answering service, and no one returns my calls. I was in touch with the former patient coordinator but now unfortunately she is no longer answering my calls and texts - She had no answers anyway and probably sick of being the fall guy. It is likely financial issues factored heavily putting this in motion and there are most certainly other patients in the same anguish as myself as he had practices in Newport Beach and Redlands, CA. I want to pay for the implants, get reimbursed for the prosthetic and loan so I can get another dentist, but there is no one to talk with to hammer this out. My only idea is to stop payment on the loan, get a new dentist, and wait for legal representation to negotiate a financial resolution.
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
- California
- (916) 704-3009
- View Profile
- Answered
A:
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. First, you should stop all payments on the loan immediately. Contact the credit card company and explain the situation, providing any documentation of the dentist's passing and the unfinished work.
Next, you should reach out to the state dental board and file a complaint. They can investigate the practice and may help you get in touch with someone responsible for handling the dentist's affairs. Additionally, consider contacting a consumer protection agency for advice on how to proceed with the loan dispute.
Finally, it may be necessary to consult with a legal professional who can guide you through the process of seeking reimbursement and ensuring your dental work is completed. Keep detailed records of all communications and expenses related to this issue to support your case.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
