The parents of a 17-year-old boy from Washington state, who tragically passed away during a routine wisdom tooth extraction, have initiated legal proceedings against the oral surgeon and the clinic where the procedure took place. Mark and Sara Edge, parents of the deceased teenager Erik Edge, filed a lawsuit against Dr. Mark McLelland on December 9, six months after their son experienced a fatal reaction to the general anesthesia administered during the procedure. The lawsuit alleges that McLelland, who was reportedly acting as both the surgeon and anesthesiologist, failed to notice and respond appropriately when Erik’s airway became blocked.
The Edge family, represented by the Luvera Law Firm, is accusing McLelland of medical malpractice and negligence. According to a press release from the law firm, Erik’s airway closure, a common side effect of the type of anesthesia used, went unnoticed for several minutes. In most cases, an anesthesiologist would be closely monitoring the patient’s vitals and would be able to detect and respond to such an issue immediately.
The lawsuit further alleges that McLelland was performing dual roles to “maximize profitability,” with the intention of billing and collecting higher fees for performing both services. The attorneys argue that McLelland’s decision to “wear two hats” left him and the clinic’s staff unprepared to provide lifesaving care and respond appropriately, ultimately costing Erik his life.
The Spokesman-Review, a local newspaper in Spokane, reported that McLelland is licensed to practice dentistry and held a valid general anesthesia permit that had been updated within the past year.
Sara Edge expressed her grief and disappointment in a statement on her attorney’s website, stating that as a parent, one trusts that a medical professional can safely perform a routine procedure like wisdom tooth removal. She added that the revelation that Dr. McLelland was allegedly multitasking for profit only added to their heartbreak. She described the incident as a completely preventable tragedy that has forever changed their family.
McLelland’s attorney, Steve Lamberson, responded to the allegations, stating that his client and his staff were deeply affected by the incident. He maintained that McLelland followed safety protocols and met the standard of care, and that they are prepared to respond to the lawsuit.