Seattle Hospital, Dentist Sued in Fentanyl Death of Autistic Teen

By Jim Greene

Published on October 01, 2009

The family of an autistic teenager who died from an overdose of a powerful painkiller has filed a lawsuit blaming Seattle Children's Hospital, a dentist, and a dental resident in the death.

According to a coroner's report, 15-year-old Michael Blankenship died from an overdose of Fentanyl, a painkiller more powerful than morphine. The drug was administered through a patch prescribed for pain that resulted from the surgical removal of four teeth. Blankenship went to sleep with the patch on and was found dead the next morning by a relative.

Seattle attorney Chris Davis, of the Davis Law Group, who filed suit in King County Superior Court, said he has consulted with three experts, and that the facts in the case "constitute recklessness." The drug is intended for use by those who already have a high tolerance for opiates and are in extreme pain. The Food and Drug Administration has indicated that it is not appropriate in cases similar to Blankenship's.

Dr. David Fisher, Children's Hospital medical director, admitted that prescribing Fentanyl for Blankenship was a mistake. He said it was not the fault of any one person, but a serious flaw in the hospital's procedure. According to Fisher, prescribing Fentanyl and similar drugs now requires the approval of a pain treatment specialist.

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