Trisha Stevens alleges delayed diagnosis and treatment after a 2024 hysterectomy led to septic shock, multiple amputations and permanent paralysis.
PORTLAND, Ore. — An Oregon mother of six is seeking $68.5 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit alleging failures in her post-surgical care allowed a severe infection to progress after a 2024 hysterectomy, ultimately resulting in septic shock, multiple amputations and permanent paralysis.
Trisha Stevens, 46, and her husband, Brian Stevens, filed the lawsuit in Multnomah County Circuit Court against several Portland-area medical providers. The defendants include Bridgetown Medical Group, Dr. Alvin Nakamura, Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center, Legacy Health, Dr. Gregory Eilers and Dr. Robert Azar. The claims have not been proven in court, and no defendant has been found liable for Stevens’ injuries.
According to accounts of the complaint, Nakamura performed a robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy and removed Stevens’ fallopian tubes on Oct. 4, 2024. The lawsuit alleges pathology findings became available several days later and showed inflammation, but that Nakamura did not review the results, notify Stevens or take further action. Stevens returned for a postoperative visit on Oct. 17, according to the complaint.
Her condition worsened in the days that followed. The lawsuit says Stevens experienced abdominal pain and bleeding before contacting Bridgetown Medical Group on Oct. 22. She reported continued bleeding, a low-grade fever, diarrhea, cramping and passing a large blood clot. According to the complaint, a nurse advised her to rest, drink fluids and seek additional care if she passed another large clot. The lawsuit alleges she was not directed to an emergency department at that time.
About 13 hours later, Stevens arrived at the emergency department at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center as her condition deteriorated, according to the complaint. Medical findings described in published accounts included low blood pressure, a rapid heart rate and rapid breathing. She was diagnosed with conditions that included inflammation of the abdominal lining and acute kidney injury before bacteria were detected in her bloodstream. The lawsuit says she ultimately developed septic shock and multiple organ failure associated with a Group A Streptococcus infection.
The complaint also challenges the care Stevens received after reaching the hospital. It alleges Eilers examined the surgical area and identified signs of infection but did not immediately recommend surgery or further testing for an infection inside the abdomen. The lawsuit says Azar, a general surgeon, initially recommended antibiotics rather than immediate surgery. Those assertions are allegations made by the plaintiffs and have not been established as findings of negligence.
Stevens’ condition became critical. On Nov. 6, 2024, doctors amputated both of her legs above the knees, according to published accounts of the lawsuit. She later lost her right hand at the wrist, her left thumb and portions of fingers on her left hand. Tissue damage also affected portions of her lips and tongue. The lawsuit says spinal cord damage left her paralyzed from the lower back down. She spent more than three months hospitalized as doctors treated the infection and its complications.
Two years later, Stevens continues to require extensive help with daily life, according to statements from her family and attorney. Before becoming ill, she was an independent mother who drove, cooked, cleaned and took part in her children’s activities. Her husband, a Portland firefighter, has returned to work while serving as one of her primary caregivers when he is off duty. The family has said ordinary activities have become difficult because Stevens uses a wheelchair and their home was not built around her current mobility needs.
Stevens has publicly described the loss of independence as one of the most difficult parts of her recovery. She told Portland television station KGW that she returned home without both legs and her right hand and with severe damage to her remaining hand. Her statements also described the difficulty of surviving the medical crisis only to face major limits on activities she once handled without assistance.
The lawsuit seeks $2.5 million for past medical costs and $6 million for anticipated future medical and care expenses. It seeks another $55 million for what the complaint describes as a profound and permanent loss of Stevens’ enjoyment of life. Brian Stevens seeks $5 million for loss of consortium. Together, the claims total $68.5 million. That figure is the amount requested by the plaintiffs and is not a settlement or court award.
Legacy Health has declined to address the allegations in detail because of the pending litigation, according to published reports. Other defendants either had not publicly responded or could not be reached for comment in reporting reviewed about the case. The court has not determined whether the defendants’ care fell below applicable medical standards or whether the alleged delays caused or worsened Stevens’ injuries.
The lawsuit remains pending in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The allegations of medical negligence will remain disputed unless they are established through the court process or resolved by the parties, and no final judgment or trial outcome had been reported as of Wednesday.
Author note: Last updated October 14, 2026.