Toxic Sepsis Infection Causes Teen’s Death

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Toxic Sepsis Infection Causes Teen’s Death

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

The recent death of a Blue Island teen from a toxic sepsis infection leaves many unanswered questions for the boy’s foster family, including whether this may be a case of medical malpractice in Illinois. The young man, Christopher Schutzius had a root canal at the beginning of February and died from a sepsis infection a week later.

In the days following the surgery, “there were moments when he seemed invigorated and fine, and others when he complained of feeling achy and tired,” according to Chicago Breaking News.

As the “achy and tired” symptoms won out over the “invigorated and fine”, the boy’s foster family sought medical attention. He was rushed to the hospital by ambulance a week after the root canal procedure, where he was put on life support and later died.

This young man’s tragic death leaves many questions in its wake. To date, all that is known is that the Cook County medical examiner’s office performed an autopsy on Thursday and concluded that Christopher Schutzius died of a toxic sepsis infection following his root canal.

The dental practice where Christopher Schutzius underwent the root canal has released a statement saying, “We are conducting a thorough review of his treatment, and we’ll provide further details as they become available to us,” according to the Tribune report.

Additionally, a separate investigation is being conducted by the Department of Children and Family Services which is routine when a child in foster care dies to determine whether neglect or wrongful death in Illinois has occurred.

Until these separate thorough investigations have been concluded, it is impossible to determine whether this is a case of medical malpractice in Illinois, wrongful death or something unrelated.