A $68.5 million medical malpractice lawsuit filed in Oregon raises difficult questions about the care a patient received after a routine gynecological operation turned into a life-threatening medical crisis. Trisha Stevens, a 46-year-old mother of six, alleges that failures to recognize and treat complications following her October 2024 hysterectomy contributed to a severe infection, septic shock and permanent injuries. The lawsuit names Portland obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Alvin Nakamura, two other physicians, a medical group and two Legacy healthcare entities. Its allegations have not been decided by a court.
What Happened After Trisha Stevens’ Surgery?
According to accounts of the complaint, Dr. Nakamura performed Stevens’ hysterectomy at Adventist Health Portland on October 4, 2024. She attended a postoperative appointment with him on October 17. Two days later, Stevens reportedly felt a sudden tearing or popping sensation in her abdomen while attending her son’s football game.
Her condition worsened in the following days. The complaint describes abdominal cramps, a low-grade fever, diarrhea and the passage of a large blood clot. Stevens contacted her medical practice on October 22. A nurse allegedly advised rest and hydration and told her to return if she passed another clot. Roughly 13 hours later, she sought emergency treatment at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center. Those interactions and their timing are central to the family’s negligence allegations.
The Infection and Catastrophic Injuries
The lawsuit alleges that Stevens developed a Group A Streptococcus infection and deteriorated into septic shock and multiple-organ failure. It challenges aspects of her emergency evaluation, the speed of diagnosis and decisions about antibiotics and surgery. Whether different or earlier treatment would have prevented some or all of her injuries is a central disputed question.
Stevens survived but, according to the complaint and published reports, underwent amputations of both legs above the knees and substantial portions of both hands. She also lost tissue from her lips and tongue and experienced paralysis affecting her lower body. These reported injuries help explain both the scale of the damages request and the need for extensive future care.
Who Is Named in the Portland Lawsuit?
Reports identifying the defendants name Dr. Alvin Nakamura; Bridgetown Medical Group; Legacy Health; Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center; Dr. Gregory Eilers; and Dr. Robert Azar. The case was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
The distinctions between these defendants matter. The complaint examines postoperative care connected with Nakamura’s practice and treatment provided after Stevens reached the hospital. Each provider’s duties, decisions and potential responsibility must be evaluated separately. Adventist Health Portland is identified in reporting as the location of the original surgery, but is not among the six defendants listed in those accounts.
What Must the Family Prove Under Oregon Law?
A medical malpractice plaintiff generally must establish the applicable professional standard of care, show how a defendant departed from that standard, and prove that the departure caused compensable harm. An infection after surgery does not automatically demonstrate negligence. Conversely, the fact that an infection is a recognized surgical risk does not end an inquiry into how symptoms were assessed and treated.
The evidence may include surgical and pathology records, telephone notes, triage instructions, emergency-department records, test results, treatment timelines and testimony from qualified medical experts. Experts could address when infection or sepsis became reasonably detectable, what interventions were indicated and whether any alleged delay probably changed the outcome. These are questions for evidence, not assumptions.
Why Is the Family Seeking $68.5 Million?
The reported damages demand includes $2.5 million for past medical expenses, $6 million for future medical and care costs, $55 million for Stevens’ loss of enjoyment of life, and $5 million for her husband Brian Stevens’ loss-of-consortium claim. The combined request totals $68.5 million.
Oregon law distinguishes objectively measurable economic losses, such as treatment and future assistance, from noneconomic losses relating to pain, suffering and diminished quality of life. Loss of consortium concerns harm to a marital relationship. The figures are the plaintiffs’ requests, not an appraisal by the court. Any recovery would depend on legal rulings and the evidence of liability and damages.
Latest Case Status as of October 2026
The lawsuit has been publicly reported in October 2026, but the available sources do not establish a trial date, verdict, settlement or final court finding against any defendant. Legacy Health reportedly declined to comment on pending litigation. No public defense response from every named party could be independently confirmed.
Dr. Nakamura’s Oregon Medical Board license record, checked separately, showed an active medical license and no board actions on file as of September 28, 2026. A civil malpractice claim and a professional licensing action are different proceedings; the existence of one does not establish the outcome of the other.
Conclusion
The Dr. Alvin Nakamura lawsuit will turn on more than the severity of Stevens’ injuries. The key legal issue is whether particular healthcare providers failed to meet the applicable standard of care and, if so, whether those failures caused avoidable harm. The $68.5 million demand reflects the family’s account of a devastating medical outcome. Responsibility and compensation remain unresolved until supported by evidence, settlement or a judicial decision.
