Many Ohio residents have likely had their wisdom teeth removed. While the removal of wisdom teeth is a common and routine procedure, it is still a surgery and therefore not without risk of complications. A mother and father recently agreed to settle a medical malpractice lawsuit related to the death of their 17-year-old daughter who passed away as a result of having her wisdom teeth removed.

The young girl was advised by her dentist that she needed to have her wisdom teeth removed. While the procedure was underway the girl's heart rate rapidly fell. As a result, the teen suffered severe brain damage that left her in a coma. Sadly, she never awoke from the coma and died 10 days later.

The girl's parents filed a medical malpractice lawsuit in which they named the anesthesiologist, dental surgeon and other medical entities involved in the procedure. In the lawsuit, the girl's parents contended that defendants acted with negligence in failing to take appropriate and prompt action as soon as the girl's heart rate slowed to a dangerous level.

As a result of the defendants' negligence, the girl suffered severe brain damage which ultimately resulted in her death. Specific details of the out of court settlement are unknown. It's believed, however, that the settlement amount was in excess of $150,000.

The out of court settlement is likely bittersweet for the 17-year-old's parents who are left to grieve their great loss. The girl's mother recently stated that the decision to file a medical malpractice lawsuit was partially aimed to raise awareness of the severity of complications that can arise from seemingly routine procedures.

Source: The Baltimore Sun, "Malpractice claim in teen's wisdom teeth death settled out of court," Kevin Rector, April 3, 2013