Oregon mother sues for $68.5M after hysterectomy leads to loss of legs and hand
Trisha Stevens, an Oregon mother of six, has filed a $68.5 million lawsuit against multiple Portland-area doctors and Legacy Health, alleging that negligence following a routine hysterectomy resulted in the amputation of both her legs and one hand. The lawsuit claims that Dr. Alvin Nakamura failed to review post-surgical pathology results showing inflammation and that hospital staff delayed critical treatment for a spreading infection, leading to septic shock and multiple organ failure.
Key points
- Stevens underwent a hysterectomy on October 4, 2024, at Adventist Health in Portland, performed by Dr. Alvin Nakamura.
- Pathology results four days post-surgery indicated inflammation, but the lawsuit claims Nakamura never reviewed these results or informed the patient.
- Two weeks after the surgery, Stevens experienced severe abdominal pain and bleeding, which she reported to her clinic but was told to monitor at home.
- Upon arrival at Legacy Mount Hood, she was diagnosed with peritonitis, lactic acidosis, and septic shock, but the on-call OB/GYN did not recommend surgical intervention or internal infection testing.
- The infection spread, causing necrosis that required above-the-knee amputations, wrist amputation of the right hand, and removal of parts of the left hand, lips, and tongue.
- Stevens is now paraplegic and relies on her husband, Brian, for daily care, as her home is not wheelchair accessible.
Background
This case follows a pattern of high-profile medical negligence lawsuits in 2026, including the coroner's finding that Lady Joan Branson's death was preventable due to missed blood-thinner protocols. While the Branson case focused on post-fall immobility, the Stevens case highlights failures in post-surgical monitoring and emergency response to septic shock.
Why it matters
The lawsuit underscores critical failures in post-operative care and emergency triage, specifically the lack of follow-up on abnormal pathology results and the delay in treating septic shock. It raises significant questions about the protocols at Legacy Health and the accountability of surgeons in managing post-surgical complications.
What to watch
The case will proceed through the legal system, with Stevens and her husband seeking $68.5 million in damages. The outcome may influence hospital protocols regarding post-hysterectomy monitoring and the handling of septic shock cases in Oregon.
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