Q: I suffer from Ludwig's angina and when I was surfing the internet I saw the article about the woman who sued her dentist over the same condition. Can you tell me if her suit has been successful please? Thanks for your time.
Shelia Corrigan
Lisle, Ill.
The case is still pending and is currently still in the discovery stage of the process. A hearing scheduled Jan. 25 by the dentist Aaron Etcheson, D.M.D, has been continued until the next available date.
Shanna Lawson claims Etcheson failed to render acceptable treatment at Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Dental Medicine in Alton.
Lawson claims she developed Ludwig's angina which threatened her life after her treatment.
Ludwig's angina is a bacterial infection of the floor of the mouth and under the tongue. It often occurs following an infection of the roots of the teeth or after mouth injury. Swelling of the tissues occurs rapidly and may block the airway or prevent swallowing of saliva.
Lawson claims that on Dec. 4, 2003, she had a molar extracted by Etcheson but he failed to document and maintain a complete detailed dental chart of her treatment, failed to write post-operative instructions and failed to properly treat an infection with antibiotics.
According to the complaint, Lawson claims physical and mental pain, medical and hospital expenses and the inability to attend to her ordinary affairs of life.
She is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, and is represented by David Hesi of Wiseman, Hesi, Mormino, Hubbs, Velloff, Edmonds, and Snider of Alton.
Etcheson has hired Richard Hunsaker of Heyl Royster in Edwardsville to represent him.
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