A young Texas girl’s family has been awarded nearly $100 million in connection with the debilitating brain damage she suffered while at a dentist’s appointment several years ago.
The family of Nevaeh Hall will receive over $95 million in compensation for the girl’s severe injuries, inflicted on her during a 2016 dentist visit at which she suffered oxygen deprivation as a result of improper sedation.
Nevaeh’s family says she can no longer see, speak, or take care of herself and requires 24-hour care.
Dentist Bethaniel Jefferson has been indicted in connection with the incident. She will face criminal trial over the charges in October.
I’m guessing she was awarded a DDS on the affirmative action plan.
I hope they send her to prison for life.
There is no such thing as intrinsically safe general anesthesia.
This is why it should only be considered as a last resort, when surgery is medically necessary and completely unavoidable.
Sedation dentistry has been around for awhile now. It reduces LOC without paralyzing your respiratory system. Best to always go with the least sedation possible for your own safety.
Of course your dentist has other ways to kill you, most notably if something gets away from him and you inspire it, so it makes an abcess in your lungs, or he causes you to puke and isn’t quick on the suction. You’re face up and unconcious, which really sucks if you have a mouth full of vomit.
Keep in mind that he’s making your mouth bleed too, so if THAT gets away from him it can also end up in your stomach. Stomachs don’t tolerate blood. Know what happens next? URRRRP!
You’d better then really have some confidence in the skill and dedication of your DDS no matter what. Do your own research and DON’T pick on Woke.
The family is on Medicaid. So, We the Taxpayers are on the hook for paying that bill.
Over sedated without proper monitoring equipment. Wrong technique, too much medication and pushed too fast. No way to tell the kid was too far gone until it finally dawned on the dentist that the kid wasn’t breathing. I stopped doing sedations and gave up that part of my license three years ago, not worth the risk. I always monitored patients, but it was too stressful.
Story on local ABC website – …the family may never actually collect the cash.
“The problem is the dentist has long since paid the pittance that she could pay. Now, we’re sitting here and we’re screwed,” Jim Moriarty, one of the family’s attorneys, said.
A shame for the little girl.
What a colossal tragedy. Conscious sedation requires continuous delivery of oxygen, continuous cardiac and oxygen saturation monitoring and 1:1 care by a CS certified provider. No way can a dentist/doctor perform a procedure and simultaneously monitor a patient. Not sure if a dental assistant can be certified in CS either? Also, I have never seen a monitor in a regular dental office. Was she an oral surgeon? Can’t imagine what the dentist was thinking…. She should not be allowed to practice.
Very sad.