Most kids may fear the dentist, the late Donna Carter may have inadvertently substantiated the fear when she paid a visit to her dentist last year and died of infection a few days later.
On behalf of Carter, Peggy Womack filed a petition to investigate for a potential lawsuit against Dr. Shannon M. Messer on Nov. 12 in Orange County District Court.
Court documents show that on Aug. 7, 2007, Carter had a tooth extracted by Dr. Messer. Following the extraction, Carter experienced vomiting and bleeding.
On Aug. 9, she was admitted to Renaissance Hospital and diagnosed with sepsis. On Aug. 11 Carter went into cardiac arrest and died, court papers say.
The claim to investigate asks the court to grant access to medical records and seeks the testimony of Messer.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Clay Dugas.
The case has been assigned to Judge Buddy Hahn, 260th Judicial District.
Case No. D080-423-c