Family Awarded $11 Million in Dental Malpractice Case

The family of New Jersey man who died after having his wisdom teeth extracted has been awarded more than $11 million in damages.

A Middlesex County jury determined that Dr. George Flugrad, an oral surgeon in the city of Perth Amboy, committed medical malpractice by failing to get clearance from Francis Keller's doctor before performing the oral procedure in 2005.

According to the lawsuit, Keller told Flugrad that he had a hereditary condition that caused his immune system to react to any trauma to his face or hands by swelling.  That condition caused Keller's throat, face, and hands to swell, which ultimately caused his airway to close slowly following the surgery.

Flugrad blamed Keller's primary dentist, John Madaris, for Keller's death.  Madaris, who was also named in the lawsuit, was cleared by a jury.

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