Frans v. Gausman

Beier, J.:

This is a wrongful death case against a dentist responsible for treating plaintiffs’ daughter, Heather Frans. Plaintiffs Dennis and Janet Frans appeal the jury’s verdict in favor of defendant Roger D. Gausman, D.D.S.

Heather went into respiratory arrest while having her teeth cleaned at Gausman’s office on February 1, 1994. She was autistic and developmentally delayed; at the time of her death, she was 19 years old and weighed approximately 40 pounds. Heather’s physical and developmental challenges had made it difficult over the years to brush her teeth or obtain other dental care…