Dental malpractice lawsuit over

Family of patient who died awarded $11 million

Updated: Monday, 09 Mar 2009, 9:34 AM EDT Published : Monday, 09 Mar 2009, 9:27 AM EDT

·         Chris Hurley

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) – The family of a New Jersey man who died hours after having his wisdom teeth removed has won more than $11 million in damages.

A Middlesex County jury determined Friday that George Flugrad, a Perth Amboy oral surgeon, committed medical malpractice when he failed to get clearance from Francis Keller’s doctor to operate on the 21-year-old in 2005.

Keller told Flugrad he had a hereditary condition that caused his immune system to react to any trauma to his face or hands by swelling.

And that condition caused Keller’s throat, face and hands to swell and his airway to slowly close following the surgery.

The lawsuit named Flugrad and Keller’s family dentist, John Madaris of Woodbridge.

The two had blamed each other, but Madaris was cleared by the jury.

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