DENTAL MEDICAL MALPRACTICE VERDICTS: Legal Updates for June 2012

[Columbia, Howard County, Maryland; June 13th, 2012]

(1) $17,426,000 VERDICT: Dental malpractice - Failure to halt tooth extraction upon multiple drops in blood pressure - Stroke - Brain damage - Attendant care required.

The plaintiff was a 49-year-old veteran who suffered a debilitating stroke after leaving the office of an oral surgery resident employed by the veterans’ administration. The plaintiff brought suit against the United States alleging that the veterans’ administration oral surgeon committed dental malpractice by failing to halt the tooth extraction when the plaintiff’s blood pressure dropped sharply.
U.S.D.C., Eastern District of Pennsylvania (186348)

(2) Over $1,000,000 VERDICT:

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE – DENTAL – SEVERANCE OF LINGUAL NERVE DURING REMOVAL OF WISDOM TOOTH – PERMANENT PARASTHESIA TO ONE HALF OF TONGUE AND FLOOR OF MOUTH – LOSS OF TASTE – SEVERE PAIN UPON TONGUE CONTACTING AREA OF EXTRACTION.

In this dental malpractice action, the plaintiff, in her mid-20s, who underwent the extraction of a wisdom tooth, contended that the defendant dentist negligently transected the lingual nerve during the procedure. The plaintiff contended that as a result, she suffered permanent paresthesia to the right side of the tongue and to the right side of the floor of the mouth.

Hudson County, NJ (186055)

(3) Up to $499,999 VERDICT:

Medical Malpractice – Dental – negligent extraction of additional teeth from agreed upon dental plan – Liability admitted – Damages disputed.

In this dental malpractice matter, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant dentist was negligent in extracting additional teeth other than those agreed upon and to which the plaintiff had given informed consent. The defendant admitted liability but disputed the plaintiff’s allegations of damages.

Essex County, MA (185835)

(4) Up to $99,999

CONFIDENTIAL RECOVERY FOLLOWING MEDIATION: Medical Malpractice – Dental – Failure to inform – Breach of warranty – Negligent performance of procedures – Plaintiff alleges substandard dental care and fraudulent insurance billing by the defendant – Cavities and substantial periodontal breakdown.

In this dental negligence matter, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant dentist failed to properly perform dental work which resulted in the necessity for additional work and billing of the plaintiff and her insurance company. Further, the plaintiff alleged that the defendant failed to properly inform her of the work he was performing and fraudulently billed her and her insurance company.

(Withheld County) MA (185901)

(5) Up to $99,999

CONFIDENTIAL RECOVERY Medical Malpractice – Dental – Woman sues after an infected jaw leaves her with parasthesia – Parasthesia of the lip.

In this matter, a woman sued her endodontist after an apicoectomy left her with paresthesia of the lip and cheek. She brought suit for a failure to do follow-up X-rays prior to the subject procedure. The defendant denied a second X-ray would have displayed the problem infection or changed the outcome.

Superior Court of New Jersey, Morris County (186017)

[WWW.CHARLESJEROMEWARE.COM; the lawyersmailbox.blogspot.com; charlesware.blogspot.com; open.salon.com/blog/charlesjware; www.jvra.com/verdict, 6/13/2012]