Catastrophic injury and wrongful death attorneys Shannon Clark and Eleanor Shaffer were interviewed for an ABC15 investigative report, "Arizona family fights for dental safety reforms after son’s death." Shannon and Ellie represented the family of deceased 40-year-old Derek Swanson, who died from a series of anesthesia administration failures during a dental procedure that left him without enough oxygen, resulting in a brain injury and, ultimately, his death.
This story examines a debate over patient safety in dental surgery, focusing on Arizona’s current law that allows oral surgeons to perform procedures and administer anesthesia simultaneously—provided they have the proper training and a state permit. While some oral surgeons voluntarily use a two-provider system, where a second licensed professional oversees anesthesia, it’s not legally required.
Watch below.
Read the partial story below and click here for the full investigative report on ABC15.
Arizona family fights for dental safety reforms after son’s death
40-year-old Derek Swanson died after a dental procedure.
By Anne Ryman | Investigations | ABC15
One of the last photos of Derek Swanson was taken in the dental chair with a big smile on his face.
He captioned the photo: “Yesterday, new car. Today, implant! Fun never stops.”
“He was so excited,” said his mother, Brenda Swanson. “He had fixed a lot of teeth, and they were looking really nice.”
Brenda said she went with him to an oral surgeon for a dental implant the morning of March 3, 2023. Derek was one of the first appointments of the day, she said, so there weren’t a lot of people in the waiting room.
“He turned around, and he gave me that wink and said, ‘love you.’”
She waited.
“There was a hospital right nearby with an emergency room. So I heard a siren, and I just assumed it was from the hospital, not realizing that the ambulance had come.”
She was unprepared for what happened next. ...
Click here to watch the investigative report and read the full story on ABC15.
Shannon Clark is an advocate for victims of negligent and wrongful conduct in Arizona and beyond. With fortitude, experience, and “fire in the belly,” he resolves serious injury cases involving motor vehicle crashes, aviation disasters, commercial trucking wrecks, professional negligence, product liability, and consumer safety issues. Shannon is a champion for his victims and ultra-sensitive to the human element of each case he handles.
Eleanor “Ellie” Shaffer is a plaintiff's attorney representing injured victims and their families in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, with a particular emphasis on injuries arising from motor vehicle accidents, defective products, medical malpractice, and premises liability. A fierce client advocate both in pre-litigation and during trial, Ellie has obtained millions of dollars in compensation for her clients.