Wambold v. Brock

Nelle E. Wambold, plaintiff, brought action for malpractice against H. B. Brock, a dentist of Des Moines, Iowa. Division I of her petition was based upon the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, pleaded general negligence, and alleged that the defendant, in extracting an impacted tooth, fractured her lower left jaw and then negligently failed to set the jaw and reduce the fracture, although he had sole control.

In Division II plaintiff pleaded specific negligence: first, in negligently and unskillfully failing to set her jaw; and second, in failing to advise plaintiff that her jaw was fractured and…