Anthony E. Blumberg & Associates, LLC

03/01/2024

10/28/2022

I support Elizabeth Rochford for the Illinois Supreme Court. Protect your rights!

10/05/2021

NERVE INJURY CASE SETTLED FOR $675,000.00

The plaintiff, a 57 year old man, presented to the defendant dentist with tooth pain in his upper right molars. The dentist recommended that they be taken out.

After the extractions, without any warning to the patient, the dentist proceeded to harvest bone from the lower right jaw to use as a “socket graft” at the extraction site on top. This is done by taking cores, or cylinders of bone out of the jaw with a trephine, a surgical version of an apple corer.

Although implants had been discussed as a potential future option, as of the date this occurred, there was no evaluation of the patient’s dental condition, no treatment plan, whether other teeth might need to be extracted first, or whether the entire upper right jaw would need surgical augmentation to sustain implants. The harvesting and grafting procedures were therefore, and for other reasons, totally unnecessary.

The area of the rear lower jaw houses the Inferior Alveolar Nerve (IAN) which is close to the surface and easily injured during dental procedures. It is visible on x-ray and the standard of care therefore requires that x-rays be taken in order to identify anatomic markers (the IAN canal) before operating in this area. The area of bone harvesting can be seen on the x-ray image attached.

In this case, the defendant never obtained any x-rays of the lower jaw before surgically harvesting bone from this area. As a result, he injured the IAN causing the plaintiff irreparable harm. The patient was left with a permanent pain condition known as Trigeminal Neuralgia. It is constant and excruciating. The plaintiff has had nerve blocks that did not work and an ablation surgery that only worsened the pain.

This appears to be the largest settlement for this injury in Illinois.

06/10/2021

TOO LITTLE TOO LATE

Although this man lost his license he continued to practice. After many complaints were filed with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations, they did not move forward with any prosecutions for years. The damage and anguish he caused to hundreds of his patients will never be fully compensated. I still get calls from former patients who are facing expensive reconstrtive dentistry because of this man’s incompetence and avarice.

The Center for Dental Implants founder was sent to jail Wednesday after being convicted for continuing to practice dentistry after he lost his license.

12/28/2020

Please take a moment to look at my new website. I will periodically update the blog with ongoing dental-legal issues or cases of interest. www.ablumberg.com

03/27/2020

From the latest Cook County Jury Verdict Reporter:

Publication: Settlements by Category Published: 3/27/2020
Confidential Settlement: $500,000 (IL Cook-Law)

Pltf Atty(s): Anthony E. Blumberg of Anthony E. Blumberg & Associates (Chicago, IL)

Facts:

Pltf F-54 was under the care of deft from August 1975 through January 2016. Allegedly, deft failed to properly diagnose/treat pltf's periodontal disease and performed poor restorations and root canals. As a result, pltf had to have all her adult teeth extracted and replaced with implant supported dentures ($68,733 past medl. expense, $68,050 future medl. expense). Paid by undisclosed dental clinic.

03/16/2020

During the current corona virus epidemic, we will continue to conduct business as much as practicable. Although some courts are closed, many conduct business electronically and remotely. We may also conduct depositions by teleconference or other means.

Additionally, our office will by physically closed. WE will still be checking voicemail regularly along with email. During this time, there may be a delay in response to communications. We thank you in advance for your patience.

Please:
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid touching your face, mouth, eyes and nose;
- Avoid public places (stay home) but if you must go out;
- maintain "social distance" at lest 6 feet from other people.