Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Joshua King, 15, was referred to Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons for removal of all four of his wisdom teeth. His treating orthodontist gave written instructions and identified the specific teeth to be extracted. After meeting with oral surgeon Carl Johnson, King’s surgery was scheduled for two days later. When he arrived for the procedure, King was told that Michael Johnson, not Carl, would be performing the surgery. Several hours later, Michael Johnson told King’s mother that in addition to removing all four of King’s wisdom teeth, he also extracted three of his second molars because they had become damaged. Several days later, however, Michael Johnson called King’s mother and admitted that he had in fact mistakenly removed the second molars first instead of the wisdom teeth.

As a result of his experience, King has suffered mental distress. He also expects to undergo complicated and painful dental surgery in the future.
King filed suit against Michael Johnson and the practice, alleging negligent removal of the second molars and falsifying medical records.

The jury awarded the plaintiff $765,000.

Citation: King v. Pac. Nw. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, No. 19-2-06443-9 KNT (Wash. Super. Ct. King Cty. Mar. 6, 2020).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Ann H. Rosato and Felix Gavi Luna, both of Seattle.