A Pinellas County resident has filed a lawsuit alleging severe medical negligence against his dentist and the dental office where he received treatment. On June 21, 2024, Joshua Harrison lodged a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, against Abhishek Navanit, D.D.S., and Smile Design Fourth Street, LLC.
According to the court documents, Harrison visited Smile Design Fourth Street on June 30, 2022, with complaints of wisdom tooth pain. On July 22, 2022, Dr. Navanit performed a surgical extraction of Harrison's lower left wisdom tooth. Despite Dr. Navanit's operative report stating that the procedure was without complications and that Harrison tolerated it well, Harrison experienced persistent numbness and pain after the anesthesia wore off.
Harrison made multiple follow-up visits to Smile Design Fourth Street between July and December 2022, reporting ongoing neurological deficits and symptoms. Despite reassurances from another dentist at the practice that these issues would resolve over time, Harrison continued to suffer from significant discomfort and lack of sensation.
In frustration over his lack of improvement, Harrison sought a consultation with Dr. Neel Patel at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital in Miami on June 27, 2023. Dr. Patel diagnosed him with left lingual nerve anesthesia and recommended exploratory surgery to repair the nerve damage. The surgery was performed on August 3, 2023; however, despite its technical success, Harrison continues to experience anesthesia and dysesthesia in his tongue.
The lawsuit alleges that Dr. Navanit failed to consider alternative treatment options or techniques that could have prevented trauma to Harrison's lingual nerve during the extraction procedure. Specifically, it claims that Dr. Navanit did not adequately protect the right lingual nerve during surgery and failed to control his dental instruments within the intended surgical field.
As a result of these alleged negligent actions by Dr. Navanit while acting as an employee or agent of Smile Design Fourth Street LLC., Harrison has suffered significant and permanent injury to his left lingual nerve along with emotional and physical pain and suffering. He is seeking compensatory damages for medical expenses incurred both past and future as well as loss of capacity for enjoyment of life.
Representing Joshua Harrison is attorney Mark A Glassman from Lane & Glassman law firm located in Plantation FL.. The case will be presided over by judges from Pinellas County Circuit Court under Case Number:24-002781-CI