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    Re: Dentist threatening to sue me!

    Posted by cs on 7/26/2009, 11:28 pm, in reply to "Dentist threatening to sue me!"

    Yikes!

    I can understand your concern.

    But I'm also wondering about one statement in your descripion of events.

    You wrote:

    <<Folks, what would you do if you had filed a simple but valid Consumer complaint to recover some monies on some awful crowns (since the dentist refused to reply to a certified letter) and the response to them back to you, was a diatribe full of false information & hysteria & recovering his good name, whatever it takes, etc from the dentist? >>

    While I agree with the previous poster regarding your dentist being on on the defensive . . . it seems to me that it's not a particularly desirable starting point for negotiation or resolution.

    While it's impossible to recreate history, I'm curious about what other steps (aside from a certified letter) you may have taken before filing your consumer complaint.

    e.g., At what point did you realize your crowns were "awful?" . . . and what steps did you take to resolve the problem with your dentist? . . . In particular, did you ever discuss your disastisfaction with him . . . and if so, did you also propose some sort of resolution for him to accept . . . reject . . . reconsider . . . or discuss further?

    Whether his countercharges are right or wrong, it certainly seems like he was caught off-guard and is now concerned about his professional reputation. Score 1 for you!

    But where does that leave you? In deep water, I hate to say.

    Although he may be trying to scare you off, the only positive solutions I can see from this point forward are: (1) either negotiation (which will require one one you to take the first step) or (2) legal action.

    With so much at risk, as a professional, he probably already has legal consul waiting in the wings. If he suggests (or has already has suggested) that's the case, it might be worth your while get some legal advice, as well.

    Personally, if I were in your situation — if I felt I had made a reasonable but unsuccessful effort to resolve the problem, instead of contacting a professional or governmental agency, I might have filed a case in Small Claims Court, instead.

    I actually had to do that about a year ago, after a local business reneged on an oral contract. When all else failed, I filed with the Small Claims Court. Within the week, I was contacted by the producers of two televison Court Shows, inviting me to have their celebrity judges hear the case.

    Just days later, I received a check in the mail from the business owner.

    In my case, I was able to document the sequence of events between the business and me. By checking your personal calendar, receipts, phone records, etc. you probably can do the same. If so, you might want to skip other options and file with Small Claims Court, too. But it also wouldn't hurt to contact your local Bar Association first, to see if they can provide some legal advice.

    (I didn't need it that time, but have taken advantage of the service in the past. It probably was the best $25.00 investment I've ever made!)





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