The estate of a Blue Island 17-year-old who died in February 2011 following an allegedly routine root canal surgery has filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court against the Chicago-based dental chain where he was treated. The teenager reportedly sought treatment at a Dental Dreams office in Blue Island after he lost a filling while eating a piece of candy. Four days later, the boy purportedly began feeling ill. After his condition worsened, the teenager was taken to MetroSouth Medical Center where he died the following day.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, the high school senior contracted sepsis as a result of the root canal procedure. Sepsis is a toxic infection that occurs after an infected patient’s bloodstream is overwhelmed by bacteria. Dr. Christopher Wenckus, Head of the Endodontics Department at the University of Illinois at Chicago, said it is extremely rare for a dental patient to contract sepsis following a root canal.
The wrongful death lawsuit claims the 17-year-old died as a result of negligence that was committed by his dentist. The case also accuses his dentist of using the wrong equipment on the boy and failing to adequately drain and seal his tooth. According to the lawsuit, negligence on the part of the teenager’s dentist created an environment that was not sterile and ultimately contributed to his fatal infection. Additionally, the young man’s dentist reportedly failed to provide the boy with a prescription for antibiotics following his dental procedure.
The dentist who performed the teen’s root canal was licensed to practice dentistry in the State of Illinois in 2010. According to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s website, she has not had any professional disciplinary action taken against her in Illinois. The wrongful death lawsuit reportedly seeks an unspecified amount of damages as well as both medical and funeral expenses.
Medical malpractice occurs when a dentist, doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care professional fails to provide a patient with a reasonable standard of medical care. Additionally, medical malpractice may also result when a health care provider fails to properly diagnose or treat a patient’s medical condition. If you believe a medical professional provided you or a family member with negligent care, you should discuss your case with a committed medical malpractice attorney.
If you were hurt or someone you love died after being treated by a dentist or other healthcare professional, do not hesitate to contact the hardworking lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. Our experienced Chicago area medical malpractice attorneys are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist you with your personal injury case. For a free consultation with a capable personal injury lawyer, please call Abels & Annes, P.C. at (312) 475-9596 today.
Note: Abels & Annes, P.C. does not represent the victim’s family in the above mentioned lawsuit.
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Suburban Chicago Firefighter and Paramedic Killed in Dog Attack, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, November 20, 2012
Family of Worker Who Died From Chemical Burns Files Negligence Lawsuit Against Bedford Park Company, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, November 17, 2012
Additional Resources:
Suit filed over Blue Island teen’s death after root canal, Chicago Sun-Times
Teen dies of illness after root canal, by Steve Metsch, Chicago Sun-Times