A family has filed a $22 million medical negligence lawsuit against a dental practice in Oregon, claiming that a routine dental procedure that included general anesthesia left their 4-year-old with brain damage, according to multiple news stories.
The family, who was not identified to protect the victim, filed a lawsuit against Sunnyside Dentistry for Children in Clackamas, OR, claiming the child died in the dental chair and was only revived after receiving CPR and epinephrine injections. The child, who was identified as M.I., reportedly has regressed to an infant state, according to the stories.
In July 2024, the child was administered general anesthesia to undergo a routine dental procedure to treat caries. The family claims that the child went into cardiac arrest during the treatment and had to be rushed to a nearby children’s hospital, according to the stories.
The child was admitted to the hospital for weeks to treat brain swelling and was placed on a feeding tube. The child lost basic motor functions that the 4-year-old had before the dental visit, according to the family. The family alleges that dental providers failed to monitor the 4-year-old’s vital signs, according to the stories.
Prior to the dental visit, the child reportedly could dress and use the bathroom without assistance, as well as sounded out words and wrote. The child now wears diapers and has regressed, needing to relearn how to walk, talk, grasp objects, and more, according to the news stories. The family is seeking $22 million in damages to cover the cost of past and future medical expenses.
