Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
Kristen Tavares, a 23-year-old mother of two, is now in a coma with severe swelling in her brain, according to the New York Daily News. The Hilo, Hawaii native was scheduled to have routine dental surgery to remove her wisdom teeth by Dr. John Stover when something went horribly wrong. At some point during the common procedure, Taveres went into cardiac arrest and became unresponsive. “It’s really hard especially for her family and just having our three-month-old son and to be put in this situation is really hard,” her boyfriend, Chauncey Prudencio told WAVE-TV. “It’s very strenuous and stressful for everyone.”
Kristen’s father says that CT scans show a large amount of swelling in her brain and her heart is still too weak to handle any subsequent medical procedures at this time. While Taveres’ children are staying with family for now, many are now wondering what could have gone wrong to cause her heart to stop. The New York Daily News cites Daniel Orr, a specialist in oral surgery and anesthesiology, who stated that, “it was possible a foreign body had gotten into her airway such as a piece of gauze or even a tooth…” The staff at Dr. Stover’s office used a defibrillator to shock Kristen’s heart back into rhythm, but she remained unresponsive after she was airlifted to an area hospital where she is connected to a breathing machine.
The attention now shifts to Dr. Stover, who refuses to comment on the matter. Multiple news outlets have reported that the doctor, who is board certified for both dental and plastic surgery, has had four complaints filed against him with the state since 2010. According to public records, a complaint was filed in 2010 alleging professional misconduct, while another was filed in 2012 states that Dr. Stover “did not comply with license laws or rules and did not use professional conduct.” Both of these cases were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. There are two more recent cases pending, so those details have not been released. Stover was first denied the ability to use full anesthesia in his practice in 2005, but reapplied in 2007 and was granted a permit.
This case is among a recent surge in dental-related injuries and death. Just last month, a New England teenager passed away while undergoing a routine procedure on his wisdom teeth. Though no amount of money will ever compensate for your injuries or the loss of a loved one, victims of medical malpractice and their families may be entitled to financial relief through a Massachusetts Medical Malpractice Lawsuit or a Wrongful Death Lawsuit.
Medical Malpractice Lawsuit litigation in Massachusetts can be extremely complex and often confusing, but the dedicated team of Massachusetts Medical Malpractice Attorneys understand the difficulties faced by victims of medical malpractice and their families following a medical error. We will walk you through the process step by step and answer any questions along the way. Our experienced attorneys have decades of experience successfully handling medical and dental malpractice cases and will help you receive the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.
Sources:
Hensley, Nicole. New York Daily News. “Hawaii mother in coma following surgery on wisdom teeth.” March 21, 2014.
Ruble, Kimberly. Liberty Voice. “Young Mother in a Coma After Having Routine Dental Procedure in Hawaii” March 23, 2014
