What Led to a $375,000 Medical Malpractice Settlement Against MUSC?

How Did a 2020 Jaw Surgery Case Result in a Legal Settlement in March 2025?

Elysia and Brent Mason secured a $375,000 settlement from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to resolve their malpractice lawsuit. The settlement, finalized on March 12, 2025, stems from allegations of medical negligence following Elysia Mason’s jaw surgery in 2020. According to court documents, Elysia underwent a Lefort 1 Osteotomy and Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy at MUSC on June 16, 2020, and subsequently experienced severe nerve pain, facial weakness, and complications post-operation. The lawsuit, filed in October 2021, alleged that MUSC and its medical staff were negligent in treating Elysia after her surgery.

5 Key Points

• Elysia and Brent Mason settled their lawsuit against MUSC for $375,000 on March 12, 2025.
• The case stemmed from complications following Elysia’s June 16, 2020, jaw surgery at MUSC.
• The lawsuit alleged that MUSC doctors prescribed pain medication instead of offering corrective surgery despite signs of a dislocated jaw joint.
• Elysia underwent corrective surgery at Legacy Emanuel Hospital on August 18, 2020.
• The lawsuit included claims for Elysia’s injuries and emotional distress, plus Brent’s claim for loss of consortium.

What Specific Medical Procedures and Complications Led to the Malpractice Claim?

According to court documents, Elysia Mason underwent a Lefort 1 Osteotomy and Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy at the Medical University of South Carolina on June 16, 2020. Following the procedure, the lawsuit states that Elysia experienced severe nerve pain, facial weakness, and complications.

The lawsuit, filed in October 2021, claims that MUSC and its medical staff were negligent in their treatment approach. According to the court documents, despite clear signs of a dislocated jaw joint putting pressure on nerves, MUSC doctors allegedly failed to offer corrective surgery and instead prescribed pain medication.

The legal complaint specifically alleges that this approach constituted medical negligence. The Masons claim in their lawsuit that the delay in appropriate treatment caused permanent damage to Elysia’s facial nerves. The court documents indicate that the Masons believe proper medical intervention should have occurred sooner based on Elysia’s symptoms.

How Did the Alleged Negligence Affect Elysia Mason’s Health and Recovery?

According to the court documents, on August 18, 2020, approximately two months after her initial surgery, Elysia sought corrective surgery at Legacy Emanuel Hospital. The lawsuit states that she underwent a revision surgery to repair the damage. The Masons claim in their filing that this revision surgery was necessary due to MUSC’s failure to act sooner and to correct the damage they allege MUSC caused.

The lawsuit states that Elysia suffered “severe bodily injuries, ongoing pain, and emotional distress” as a result of MUSC’s alleged negligence. In addition to Elysia’s claims, the court documents show that her husband Brent filed a claim for loss of consortium. This legal term refers to compensation sought for the loss of companionship and relationship benefits due to injuries sustained by a spouse.

The court documents outline that the Masons believe the alleged negligence directly resulted in permanent damage to Elysia’s facial nerves. The lawsuit connects the need for corrective surgery at Legacy Emanuel Hospital to what the Masons claim was improper care at MUSC.

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What Legal Actions Did the Masons Take Against MUSC?

According to the source material, the Masons filed their lawsuit in October 2021, approximately 15 months after Elysia’s original surgery at MUSC. The lawsuit named the Medical University of South Carolina and its medical staff as defendants, alleging negligence in post-operative care following Elysia’s jaw surgery.

The court documents indicate that the Masons sought damages for Elysia’s alleged “severe bodily injuries, ongoing pain, and emotional distress” resulting from what they claimed was negligent care. Additionally, the legal filings show that Brent Mason filed a claim for loss of consortium as part of the lawsuit.

The litigation process continued for over three years, from the October 2021 filing until the settlement announced on March 12, 2025. The final agreement resulted in a $375,000 payment to the Masons from MUSC.

What Does the Settlement Mean for Both Parties?

The $375,000 settlement reached on March 12, 2025, concludes the legal dispute between the Masons and MUSC that began with the October 2021 lawsuit filing. The settlement provides financial compensation related to the claims made in the Masons’ lawsuit.

According to the source material, MUSC has not responded to requests for comment on the settlement. The source does not provide information about any specific terms or conditions attached to the settlement beyond the financial amount.

The settlement brings closure to a case that stemmed from Elysia Mason’s June 2020 jaw surgery and the subsequent medical treatment she received. The source material does not indicate whether the settlement includes any admission of liability or wrongdoing by MUSC.