The city of Lawrence, KS, has agreed to pay the family of Austin Stone -- the young man who suffered brain damage in 2009 following oral surgery at a dental office in Lawrence -- $50,000 as part of a settlement agreement, according to a story in the Lawrence World Journal.
The lawsuit, filed in April 2010 by Stone's guardians against the city and six other defendants, alleged that oxygen and nitrous oxide lines were crossed during the design and construction of an oral surgery facility operated by Kirk Vincent, DDS, and that this incorrect installation led to Stone suffering severe brain damage.
Seven defendants were named in the suit: Dr. Vincent, Action Plumbing, Patterson Dental Supply, Blanchard Design Group, Design Build Collaborative, Hoss & Brown Engineers, and the city of Lawrence.
On January 28, Stone's family reached a $3 million settlement with Action Plumbing, the company that installed the gas lines, although Action Plumbing denied liability.
The remaining six defendants went to mediation on March 23, and after what attorneys described as "a very, very lengthy, very hard" discussion, the matter was settled and the case dismissed, according to the Journal.
On April 13, Chief Douglas County District Judge Robert Fairchild approved the settlement agreement. Terms of the agreement with the remaining parties were not disclosed, according to the Journal.
While the city denies liability in the case, officials have adopted an ordinance requiring a certificate by a certified medical gas inspector be provided before an occupancy permit can be granted, the Journal noted.
