New Jersey Jury Awards $11 Million in Dental Malpractice Case

March 9, 2009

A jury in central New Jersey has awarded more than $11 million to the family of a man who died after having his wisdom teeth removed.

Francis Keller of Woodbridge had a genetic condition that caused swelling as a reaction to trauma. The 21-year-old suffocated in August 2005 after the surgery performed by Perth Amboy oral surgeon George Flugrad.

During the trial in New Brunswick, attorneys for Flugrad and dentist John Madaris blamed each other’s client for the mistake.

Madaris was cleared of negligence.

David Mazie, an attorney representing Keller’s family, said the award is believed to be the largest in New Jersey history for dental malpractice.

Flugrad’s attorney, Joseph Cooney, did not return an after-hours message.

Topics New Jersey

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Latest Comments

  • March 10, 2009 at 9:27 am
    chad says:
    There was a dentist and an oral surgeon as defendants in the case. The oral surgeon was found 100% liable and the dentist was found 0% liable.
  • March 10, 2009 at 8:21 am
    jersey mga says:
    the way i read this; the general dentist was found not negligent, and that blame was placed soley on the oral surgeon.
  • March 10, 2009 at 8:03 am
    reaper says:
    I agree with you Pat. This is why we have a health care crisis. How did the jury arrive at 11 million when there is no negligence? Unreal!

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