FOR LAWYERS

Arizona Anesthetist Faces Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Two patients treated by the same nurse anesthetist died within a year of each other after receiving anesthesia for elective dental procedures. 

ABC15.com reported on Nov. 5 that Tory Richmond is the nurse anesthetist that treated both patients. Richmond is facing lawsuits in both wrongful death lawsuits filed by the victims’ families. 

Richmond, accused of medical negligence in both wrongful death cases, was “essentially cleared” of wrongdoing by Arizona’s Board of Nursing, according to ABC15.com, which added that the Board “only filed a generic letter of concern that isn’t easily accessible to the public.”

Unlike anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists work independently to administer anesthesia or collaborate with the presiding doctors, dentists, surgeons, or other medical professionals in anesthesia administration.

In one of the deaths, a woman passed away because of a lack of oxygen to the brain. In the other case, a man died after suffering traumatic burns to his mouth, which caught on fire during oral surgery. 

Deaths during oral surgery are exceedingly rare, yet a concerning anomaly, anesthesiologists and other certified nurse anesthetists told ABC15. 

Relatives of the victims have expressed frustration towards certain Board members for not being sympathetic towards their suffering. In fact, during a Board hearing, one board member expressed sympathy for Richmond and credited him for administering expert care when his patient’s mouth caught on fire. 

One plaintiff, who filed a lawsuit after her mother died, allegedly because of medical negligence at the hands of Richmond, told ABC15, “It’s like they don’t care … What bothers me most is that my mom shouldn’t be gone. She should be here.”

The plaintiff’s mother received anesthesia to have her teeth pulled during a procedure that would allow her to get dentures. The office of the dentist that performed the surgery was not licensed to administer anesthesia, according to records. 

During the procedure, the woman stopped breathing, but the staff did not call 911 until 11 minutes after it was apparent that there was a problem with her breathing pattern. 

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants were reluctant to call emergency services because the office was not licensed to perform sedation. 

In the other wrongful death suit, a man’s mouth caught on fire, and he was transferred to the Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Medical Center where he died two weeks later. 

What Should AZ Residents Do if They or a Loved One Was Harmed During Surgery?

If you’ve been injured as the result of medical negligence, you need the support of an expert medical malpractice attorney. 

The best resource to find a medical malpractice lawyer in Arizona is Attorney at Law.

At AAL, our network of attorneys and law firms can match you with a local attorney who has the experience and resources necessary to pursue your malpractice case to its fullest extent. 

Our partners focus on the client experience and treat your case with the urgency it needs. Additionally, our partners work on contingency for all personal injury cases. That means if you don’t win, you don’t pay.

Don’t wait. Contact AAL today for a free, no-obligation consultation and begin your journey to better health.

Featured Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Kevin Hausfeld, PA.

18 years in practice
Auto Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Premises Liability, Wrongful Death
View Profile

Phil Hall, P.A.

20 years in practice
Auto Accidents, Birth Injury, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury
View Profile

Michles & Booth, P.A

36 years in practice
Auto Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect, Personal Injury, Premises Liability
View Profile

The Saenz Law Firm, P.A.

16 years in practice
Business Contracts, Employment Law
View Profile

Law Office of Jullian H. Jones, P.L.L.C.

3 years in practice
Criminal Defense
View Profile

Mainstay Law, LLC

11 years in practice
Business Law, Immigration Law
View Profile

Related Posts

Attorney At Law is changing how clients connect with lawyers. By providing an innovative platform to lawyers who want to expand their practice’s reach, AAL is bringing law practices into the future.
6142 Innovation Way
Carlsbad, California 92009
Some of the content of this website may be considered attorney advertising under the rules of certain jurisdictions. The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.
crossmenuchevron-upchevron-down linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram