Texas family awarded $95M after dental procedure leaves child with irreversible brain damage

A jury recently awarded a Texas family $95.5 million after a botched dental procedure left a 4-year-old child with irreversible brain damage, the Houston Chronicle reported Sept. 23. 

A Harris County jury found former dentist Bethaniel Jefferson was negligent while treating Nevaeh Hall in January 2016. During a dental procedure to treat a broken tooth, Nevaeh, who is now 10, began suffering from a seizure. Her oxygen level and temperature dropped, but it reportedly took Ms. Jefferson more than four hours to call for medical assistance. 

The incident left Ms. Hall with irreversible brain damage that now requires 24-hour care from her family.

The Texas Board of Dental Examiners revoked Ms. Jefferson's dental license in November 2016. A criminal case against Ms. Jefferson has not yet gone to trial.

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