A patient who claims her jaw was broken during a third-molar surgery when she whipped her head forward in response to not having enough anesthesia has filed a lawsuit against the dentist and the dental practice in Florida, according to a story published in Ocala News.
Danielle Geils filed a lawsuit on July 25 in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County against Citrus Oral & Facial Surgery at Ocala in Florida and Dr. Rushi S. Patel. Geils accuses Patel of negligently failing to ensure that she was administered adequate sedation and negligently applying excessive force during the procedure, according to the story.
She is seeking at least $50,000 in damages plus fees and costs.
In April 2024, Geils went for an evaluation at the dental practice. During the visit, she learned that four teeth needed to be pulled. She reportedly requested that she receive general anesthesia during the extraction due to her anxiety about the procedure.
In May 2024, she underwent third-molar surgery. In his patient notes, Patel noted that she was “combative” throughout the procedure. In the lawsuit, Geils claimed she was hostile during the procedure because she wasn’t properly sedated, according to the story.
In the notes, Patel further stated that Geils “aggressively whipped her head forward” during the extraction of tooth #31. Additionally, the dentist noted that the patient had a right lower jaw angle fracture, according to the story.
Geils allegedly had the fracture surgically repaired, including having metal plates and screws placed in the bone, at a local hospital. She claims the jaw fracture left her with pain and suffering, physical impairment, disability, and more, according to the story.
