Mother of Six Files $68.5 Million Lawsuit After Hysterectomy Complications Lead to Limb and Lip Amputation

A Portland-area mother of six is suing three doctors and two hospitals for $68.5 million, alleging that a hysterectomy procedure on October 4, 2024, led to a severe infection and catastrophic injuries, including the amputation of her legs, hands, and parts of her lips. Trisha Stevens, 46, claims that medical professionals failed to properly diagnose and treat symptoms of sepsis, a life-threatening condition.

According to the lawsuit, Stevens underwent the procedure at a Bridgetown Medical Group center. Four days later, pathology results reportedly showed inflammation, but the lawsuit alleges surgeon Dr. Alvin Nakamura did not review them. Over the next two weeks, Stevens experienced increasing abdominal pain.

The situation escalated on October 22 when Stevens contacted Dr. Nakamura's clinic reporting continued bleeding, a large blood clot, fever, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. A nurse allegedly advised her to rest and hydrate, and instructed her to monitor bleeding at home, only seeking hospital care if another clot occurred. Dr. Nakamura reportedly concurred with this instruction.

Approximately 13 hours later, Stevens was rushed to Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center's emergency department. At that time, she exhibited a high heart rate, low blood pressure, and rapid breathing, and was saturating vaginal pads with blood at a rate of three per hour. She was diagnosed with peritonitis, lactic acidosis, and acute kidney injury. Medical staff later identified bacteria in her bloodstream, indicating she had entered septic shock.

An on-call doctor, Dr. Gregory Eilers, reportedly diagnosed an infection at the surgical site but allegedly did not recommend surgery at that point or test for an intra-abdominal infection despite her symptoms. Later, another on-call physician, Dr. Robert Azar, assessed Stevens and recommended antibiotics. The lawsuit claims Dr. Azar also failed to recommend surgery to address the spreading infection.

By November 6, the infection had spread throughout Stevens' body, causing multiple organ failures. This led to the amputation of both her legs above the knee, her right hand, left thumb, and portions of her left fingers. Tissue necrosis also affected parts of her lips and tongue, and spinal cord damage resulted in paralysis from the waist down. Stevens stated that the ordeal has been devastating, telling KGW8, "There are days I still do not know which was harder: almost dying or waking up and realizing everything that was taken from me."

Stevens' attorney, Rhett Fraser, stated that prior to her illness, Stevens was an active mother and partner who managed household responsibilities, drove, cooked, cleaned, and attended her children's activities. He added that she now requires daily wound care and struggles with independent eating and enunciation.

The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of the doctors and hospitals for delaying treatment of the abdominal infection, which ultimately led to Stevens' severe injuries.