A man in California is suing a health center and other unnamed individuals, claiming that part of his tongue was gouged out during a dental procedure, according to a story published recently in the Southern California Record.
James Jordan, who was 73 at the time of his procedure, filed a lawsuit on April 1 in the Superior Court of California in Ventura County against Clinicas del Camino Real, Dr. Jane Doe, and other unnamed individuals accusing them of medical battery, elder abuse, patient abandonment, negligent hiring and supervision, and infliction of emotional distress.
Jordan is seeking compensatory damages for economic losses and emotional distress, as well as at least $2.5 million in punitive damages for their alleged reckless misconduct, according to the story.
In May 2024, Jordan claims he went to Clinicas del Camino Real for severe jaw pain caused by eroded teeth. After waiting nearly an hour, Dr. Doe and an assistant saw him. Jordan claims that the dentist did not perform an appropriate exam, nor did she obtain informed consent before his treatment began, according to the story.
During the procedure, Jordan alleges that an assistant mishandled dental equipment, causing part of his tongue to be gouged out.
Jordan argues that this act qualifies as medical battery under a California law that relates to unconsented touching that causes significant harm. Additionally, he claims the health center did not appropriately supervise its employees, who Jordan alleges left him without needed emergency care after he was injured, according to the story.
Due to his age, Jordan is claiming that the health center’s actions fall under gross treatment under the state’s elder abuse act.
