March 09, 2009 10:06 PM
In the largest oral surgery malpractice verdict in New Jersey history so far, a jury awarded $10.2 million this week to the family of 21-year-old Francis Keller of Woodbridge, who died from suffocation after having his wisdom teeth removed by oral surgeon Dr. George Flugrad, of Perth Amboy.
Because Keller had a genetic immune disorder which caused severe swelling in reaction to trauma, he should not have been a candidate for dental or any other surgery. The morning after his tooth extractions, he began to have trouble breathing, and suffered from throat swelling that ultimately led to suffocation and death.
The Middlesex County jury found that Dr. Flugrad committed malpractice when he extracted the wisdom teeth in full knowledge of Keller’s genetic condition.
