Oregon mother sues doctors and hospital for $68.5 million after hysterectomy complications

Trisha Stevens, a mother of six from Portland, had a routine hysterectomy on Oct 4 2024 performed by Dr. Alvin Nakamura at Adventist Health. Four days after the operation pathology reports indicated inflammation, which the surgeon never reviewed or communicated. About two weeks later she suffered sharp abdominal pain, heavy vaginal bleeding and a clot the size of a baseball while at her son’s softball game, and reported these symptoms to Nakamura’s clinic, receiving only advice to monitor the bleeding.

She later presented to Legacy Mount Hood emergency department, where clinicians identified peritonitis, lactic acidosis, acute kidney injury, bloodstream infection and septic shock, but did not recommend surgical intervention. The infection spread, causing multiple organ failure, necrosis of tissue, and the amputation of both legs above the knee, her right hand at the wrist, parts of her left hand, portions of her lips and tongue, and extensive hair loss, leaving her paraplegic. Stevens and her husband Brian have filed a $68.5 million lawsuit against Dr. Nakamura, Bridgetown Medical Group and Legacy Health, alleging negligence in ignoring test results, failing to refer her for emergency care and delaying treatment of the infection.