Family of teen who died during routine wisdom teeth removal files lawsuit against oral surgeon and clinic, according to Luvera Law Firm
SPOKANE, WA – What should have been a routine wisdom tooth removal ended up taking the life of 17-year-old Erik Edge instead. The oral surgeon failed to notice and properly respond to a common reaction to anesthesia, resulting in Erik’s death, according to Luvera Law Firm. The tragedy took place in June of this year.
On December 9, Erik Edge’s parents, Mark and Sara Edge, filed medical malpractice and negligence claims against oral and maxillofacial surgeon Bryan W. McLelland, DDS, as well as the clinic where Edge’s operation took place, Liberty Oral & Facial Surgery in Spokane Valley. The family is represented by George Ahrend of Luvera Law Firm and Phillip Silcher of Findley & Silcher.
During the procedure, McLelland was acting as both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist, according to court filings. After he started administering the anesthesia, Edge’s airway closed. McLelland failed to notice for several minutes, and he and clinic staff were not prepared to provide lifesaving care and did not respond properly. Edge lost his life as a result.
“Patient safety should always be the top priority,” said Ahrend of Luvera Law Firm. “With almost all surgeries, it is standard practice for anesthesia to be administered by someone devoting their full attention to the patient. When a surgeon splits their jobs to double their profits, it opens the door to unnecessary risks that lead to tragic losses like Erik’s death.”
According to the complaint, Edge’s airway closed after anesthesia started, which is a common side effect of the type of anesthesia used. In most cases, an anesthesiologist is closely monitoring the patient’s vitals and can detect immediately that the airway has closed, then respond appropriately to keep the patient’s airway open and clear.
However, performing both the surgical and anesthesiologist roles allowed McLelland to maximize profitability for the procedure, according to court documents. He also did not tell patients that a single provider would be managing both activities, or disclose the increased safety risks, the complaint alleges.
“As a parent, you trust that a medical professional can safely perform a routine procedure like wisdom tooth removal, and to find out that Dr. McLelland was instead multi-tasking for profit just adds to our heartbreak,” said Sara Edge. “Our son lost his life in a completely preventable tragedy, and our family will never be the same. But we’re committed to speaking up and raising these safety issues so that other families can make informed decisions. Parents need to be aware that this could happen to their child. More people talking about this and spreading awareness will be the catalyst for change.”
Since their son’s tragic passing, the Edge family has received an outpouring of support and love, which they’ve translated into efforts to build fresh-water wells in Erik’s name. The cause is close to their hearts; in 2022, Erik and Mark Edge took a trip to Honduras to work with Living Water International, helping to drill a hand well in the village of Caserio Las Penita.
Through a GoFundMe page benefitting Living Water International, the #EdgeArmy has come together to honor Erik’s legacy and fully fund an immersible well. Slated for 2025, the well will provide water for 750 – 4,000 people in South Asia. Find more information on the effort at www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-erik-an-opportunity-support-costs-charities.
Many in Spokane may also recognize the Edge family from their annual appearances on Tom’s Turkey Drive holiday fundraisers.
“Erik had a loving and giving heart,” said Sara Edge. “He wanted to make people happy, to lighten a heavy load when needed. He actively sought out ways to bring joy to others and had a smile on his face constantly.”
Ahrend emphasized that the Edge family’s goal is accountability and safety. “There are no winners in a case like this,” he said.
“This family has faced unspeakable tragedy, and nothing will take away that pain,” Ahrend said. “But the legal system can help uncover the truth and shine a light on questionable safety practices that should be improved. It’s a step toward preventing future tragedies like this one.”
