Ill. Dentist, Clinic to Pay Combined $1.1 Million in Lawsuit Settlement

The family of a Glen Ellyn, Ill. man who died at a dentist’s office has settled a lawsuit against the dentist and clinic for a combined $1.135 million.

Robert Pauly, 73, died in the dental chair at Glen Ellyn Family Dental Care in June 2004 after going in to have his tooth pulled.

Jill Webb, the Pauly family’s attorney, said in a statement that Pauly began having trouble breathing after receiving intravenous sedation. He stopped breathing, and paramedics could not revive him, she said.

The lawsuit filed last year alleged that Dr. James Morrone failed to properly monitor Pauly’s vital signs and used the incorrect drug to attempt to resuscitate him.

According to court documents filed Monday in DuPage County Circuit Court, Morrone and his firm, Midwest Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, will pay $900,000 and Glen Ellyn Family Dental Care will pay $235,000 to settle the suit.

Morrone’s attorney, Anne Oldenburg, declined to comment Tuesday to the Chicago Tribune. Messages left at Glen Ellyn Family Dental Care and at the offices of Oldenburg and Morrone before business hours Wednesday, June 20 by the Associated Press were not immediately returned.