The United Press International reports that the family of a New York woman is suing the victim's dentist for wrongful death.
The victim who suffered from cerebral palsy; went to Dr. Bruce Lish because her disease had caused some of her teeth to become rotten. On July 23, 2009, the victim underwent surgery to extract the rotten teeth when "she went into respiratory arrest, suffered brain damage and died on Oct. 14 of complications from the surgery."
The victim's family is now suing St. Luke's Hospital in Manhattan, where the surgery was performed. They are also suing Dr. Lish for the wrongful death of their daughter. The lawsuit does not specify how much the family is seeking in damages.
The lawsuit was filed in Bronx Supreme Court by the family's New York injury lawyer, Stuart Kitchner. The New York Daily News reports that in the lawsuit, Mr. Kitchner claims that the painkiller fentanyl was a "contributing factor" in the victim's death. He goes on to say that, "there was a failure to monitor her postoperative care and treatment."
A spokesman for St. Luke's Hospital said in a statement, "The entire St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital community extends its sincere condolences to the Dowdy family on the death of their beloved daughter and understands how painful their loss is." He also said that since this has become a legal matter, he could not make any further comments concerning the victim and her family.
Doctor Lish could not not be reached for a comment because he was at an out-of-town convention.
Related Resources:
- How Does New York State Law Compensate For A "Wrongful Death?" (FindLaw Knowledge Base)
- Wrongful Death - Overview (FindLaw)
- New York injury lawyer directory (FindLaw)
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