A routine dental visit turned into a nightmare for one Harris County resident, who is now seeking justice in court. On July 11, 2024, Khisha Johnson filed a complaint in the District Court of Harris County against Katherine Fairleigh Hoffman, D.D.S., Lovett Dental, and Texas Dental Associates, P.A. d/b/a Lovett Dental.
The lawsuit stems from an incident on July 12, 2022, when Johnson visited Lovett Dental for a simple tooth extraction. According to the filing, Dr. Hoffman extracted the wrong tooth and then attempted to reinsert it into the socket. This alleged negligence has led to severe pain and the need for extensive restorative dental work for Johnson. The plaintiff claims that Dr. Hoffman failed to properly examine and diagnose the correct tooth needing extraction and committed multiple acts of negligence including extracting the wrong tooth without proper surgical consent.
Johnson's petition outlines several causes of action against Dr. Hoffman and Lovett Dental. The primary accusation is negligence and negligence per se against Dr. Hoffman for failing to meet the standard care expected in her profession. Additionally, Johnson alleges that Lovett Dental and Texas Dental Associates are liable under the legal theory of respondeat superior since Dr. Hoffman's actions occurred within her scope of employment with them.
Furthermore, Johnson accuses Lovett Dental and Texas Dental Associates of negligent hiring practices by employing an incompetent dentist like Dr. Hoffman, thereby creating an unreasonable risk of harm to patients.
In terms of relief sought, Johnson is asking for monetary damages exceeding $250,000 but not more than $1 million at this time. She seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical disfigurement, and impairment caused by the defendants' actions.
Representing Khisha Johnson is Shane R. Kadlec from the Law Office of Shane R. Kadlec in Houston, Texas. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-43483 in the 164th Judicial District Court under Judge Marilyn Burgess.