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A Maryland family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against an anesthesiologist and a surgeon after their teenage daughter died 10 days after a routine surgical wisdom tooth extraction, according to the Baltimore Sun. Jennifer Olenicvk, a 17-year-old junior at Marriots Ridge High School, lost oxygen during the procedure in March 2011. The lawsuit names the anesthesiologist as well as three dental practices affiliated with the doctors as defendants.

According to court reports, the family claims Dr. Krista Mechelle Issacs, the anesthesiologist, and Dr. Domenick Colleti, the oral surgeon, were negligent and are guilty of medical malpractice. The suit claims they failed to resuscitate her as her heartbeat dropped below 40 beats per minute, which is dangerously low.

“I am trying to make people aware that a routine visit to the dentist or oral surgeon can turn out anything but routine,” said the victims’ mother, Cathy Garger, who called the death “needless.”

Jennifer died on April 6 after being in a coma for 10 days. The autopsy revealed that acute hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy—brain damage from loss of oxygen.

Have you or a loved one been the unfortunate victim of medical malpractice?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

One Comment

  1. Gravatar for Anonymous
    Anonymous

    Wow, such a tragic story. The last thing that you would expect when going to a dentist is that something like this can happen. Our condolences go out to the family of Jennifer.

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