Just like doctors and nurses, dentists in Kentucky are required to treat their patients with an acceptable level of care. Like all medical professionals, dentists can also contribute to medical malpractice. Patients undergoing dental procedures place their faith and trust in the hands of dentists, but what can be done when the negligence of dentists and oral surgeons cause injury or death to patients? Victims and families can take legal action. Recently, a family in another state filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against an oral surgeon after alleged negligence contributed to the death of a teenage girl.
According to the claim, the girl went to the oral surgeon to have her wisdom teeth removed. The procedure required anesthesia and the lawsuit claimed that the girl went into cardiac arrest while under anesthesia. She was transferred to a local hospital where she later died.
A medical examiner noted that the young girl’s cause of death was brain damage due to lack of oxygen from cardiac arrest, the lawsuit alleged. The lawsuit accused the oral surgeon of providing inadequate monitoring during the surgery, inappropriately administering general anesthesia and failing to plan for a possible medical emergency, among other things. The family recently reached a settlement with defendant and received $2.06 million.
Although many Kentucky are unaware, negligence in the field of dentistry does happen. Negligence by dentists and oral surgeons can constitute medical malpractice. Those that have been affected by dental and medical malpractice can take legal action. A successful lawsuit could provide victims and families with much-needed financial relief.
Source: swnewsmedia.com, “Family of Eden Prairie teen who died after dental surgery settles lawsuit with oral surgeon“, Patty Dexter, Dec 5, 2017