Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
Yes!!! I think they should pay for them too!! I told my surgeon and he acted like it was my fault I'd broken my tooth on their precious instrument.
So I immediately called my lawyer. I'd been in contact from my lawyer from my car accident (which was 1 year ago today!) and he was really upset when I told him about destroying my tooth on top of everything else.
Then he apologized for what he was going to tell me... a few years ago, he'd had a client whose front teeth had been broken during surgery just like mine. He'd tried every way to sue the doctors, but unfortunetly, they are protected through the waiver they made him sign right before the surgery.
It seems that broken teeth during intubation is covered under the "acceptable risk" (!!!) the patient assumes when the tube is placed in the airway. I'd LOVE to sue the pants off of them, but it looks like I'm going to have to eat the cost (sorry ) on this one.
Actually, I have no idea how much a new tooth is going to set me back! I think it's like a tire... you can't just buy one new front tooth... it's the kind of thing that has to be done in pairs.
Posts
I have to eat the cost :(
) on this one. 
