IRVINE, Calif., March 5, 2026 — The Hodes Milman law firm filed a dental malpractice lawsuit in the Orange County Superior Court on Jan. 23, 2026, on behalf of James Hopwood, alleging that dental providers failed to properly evaluate and diagnose a persistent oral lesion for more than two years, delaying the diagnosis of Stage IV squamous cell carcinoma.

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The complaint names Advanced Dental HB and several dentists and dental staff as defendants. The lawsuit alleges the providers failed to recognize, document, and appropriately evaluate a suspicious oral lesion and did not timely refer the patient for biopsy or specialist evaluation.

According to the complaint, Mr. Hopwood first presented Advanced Dental HB in April 2023 with complaints about an observable oral lesion adjacent to one of his teeth. Over multiple visits, the lawsuit alleges that providers failed to adequately document the lesion, investigate its cause, or refer Mr. Hopwood to an appropriate specialist for further evaluation.

The complaint states that the lesion persisted for more than two years without proper diagnostic evaluation. In May 2025, after a biopsy was finally performed, Mr. Hopwood was diagnosed with advanced-stage squamous cell carcinoma, a serious form of oral cancer. By that time, the disease had significantly progressed and required extensive and aggressive medical treatment.

“Dentists and dental professionals are often the first line of defense in identifying potentially cancerous lesions in the mouth,” said Daniel Hodes, founding partner of Hodes Milman and attorney for Mr. Hopwood. “When a patient presents with a persistent lesion, the standard of care requires careful monitoring, proper documentation and timely referral for biopsy or specialist evaluation. Delays in diagnosing oral cancer can have devastating consequences for patients.”

Hodes Milman attorneys say the case brings awareness to the critical role dental providers play in recognizing early warning signs of oral cancer and ensuring patients receive timely diagnostic testing and specialist care when suspicious symptoms arise. Early detection of oral cancer significantly improves treatment outcomes, while delays can allow the disease to progress to more advanced and life-threatening stages.

As a result of the alleged delayed diagnosis, the complaint states that Mr. Hopwood has suffered serious injuries, including pain, physical disability, emotional distress, substantial medical expenses and loss of earnings and earning capacity. The lawsuit seeks damages to be determined at trial.

“We take cases like this very seriously,” Hodes added. “Mr. Hopwood trusted his dental providers to properly evaluate a condition that ultimately turned out to be cancer. Our firm and our team are committed to pursuing justice on his behalf.”

About Hodes Milman

Hodes Milman is a Southern California trial law firm dedicated to representing individuals and families harmed by medical negligence, dangerous products and catastrophic injuries. Based in Irvine, California, the firm’s attorneys have over 70 years of combined experience litigating complex cases involving medical malpractice, dental malpractice, product liability and serious personal injury. With decades of jury trial experience and more than $250 million recovered for clients, Hodes Milman is committed to holding negligent individuals, healthcare providers and corporations accountable. The firm represents clients throughout Southern California and beyond in cases involving serious injuries and wrongful conduct. Learn more at VerdictVictory.com or call 949-640-8222.