Second Herpes Suit Targets Portland Nail Salon, Seeks $5M Total
A new lawsuit alleges a Portland nail salon transmitted herpes to a customer during an August 2025 appointment. The claim seeks $2.5 million from the business and another $2.5 million from Oregon regulators, marking the second similar case against the salon in two years.
Key points
- A woman filed a lawsuit on Monday against PDX Nails and Lashes, claiming she contracted HSV-2 during an acrylic nail appointment in August 2025.
- The suit alleges a technician worked on her nails without gloves, leading to symptoms that began the next day and were later diagnosed as genital herpes.
- The plaintiff is seeking $2.5 million in damages from the salon and an additional $2.5 million from the state of Oregon for failing to act on a prior complaint.
- This is the second lawsuit against the salon over similar claims; a previous case from 2023 was settled out of court.
- The salon has not commented on the new suit but maintains on its website that it adheres to strict sanitation protocols.
Background
Our earlier coverage noted that this lawsuit was filed in Multnomah County Court and cited a 2021 investigation that found the business failed to disinfect tools. The 2023 incident that preceded this case resulted in a confidential settlement, establishing a pattern of alleged hygiene failures at the location.
Why it matters
The case highlights ongoing concerns about sanitation standards in the beauty industry and raises questions about regulatory oversight by state health authorities when prior complaints are not resolved.
What to watch
The case will proceed through the legal system, with the plaintiff seeking significant financial damages from both the salon and the state. The salon has declined to comment on the new allegations.
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