Teenager’s Life Hangs in the Balance After Surgical Mishap at OHSU
A devastating lawsuit has been filed against Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and one of its surgeons, alleging a catastrophic error during a young girl’s heart surgery. Steven and Lori Stokes claim their 13-year-old daughter was told she might die after a crucial heart valve was implanted incorrectly during a procedure at OHSU in Portland last August.
The ordeal began with what was initially described as a successful open-heart surgery to implant a new valve. However, despite surgeons reporting the procedure went “very well,” the teenager remained in intensive care, her heart struggling to function.
A Mysterious Deterioration and a Desperate Move
Following the surgery, the young patient’s condition did not improve. Her parents recounted a harrowing period where medical teams at OHSU conducted extensive testing, including rigorous studies and imaging, in an attempt to understand why the implanted valve was not working. According to the lawsuit, these diagnostic efforts yielded no clear explanation, with doctors repeatedly attributing the issue to the “shock” of the operation.
The girl remained in intensive care for three days, her life dependent on a machine that circulated and reoxygenated her blood. Throughout this time, her chest remained open, and her condition, according to the suit, continued to deteriorate. The situation became so grave that hospital staff began discussing palliative care options with the Stokes, including the heartbreaking possibility of organ donation.
At this critical juncture, OHSU doctors informed Steven and Lori that their daughter required either an artificial heart or a transplant to survive. They also conveyed that these complex procedures could not be performed at OHSU, delivering the grim news that they feared she would not survive a transfer to another facility. The parents were warned that she was so critically ill that she would likely die en route to another hospital.
A Gamble for Survival
Despite the dire warnings and the significant risks involved, the Stokes made the courageous decision to transfer their daughter to Seattle Children’s Hospital. They believed this was her only chance for survival, even though she was described as being “very near death” upon arrival.
At Seattle Children’s Hospital, medical professionals immediately worked to remove blood, clots, and fluid from her wound. A subsequent scan of her heart revealed the shocking truth: the valve implanted by OHSU doctors had been inserted upside down, rendering it completely ineffective.
Recovery and Recourse
With the error identified, surgeons at Seattle Children’s Hospital removed the faulty valve and replaced it with a correctly positioned one. Shortly after this corrective surgery, her heart began to function normally. Over the following days, her condition steadily improved, and she was eventually weaned off all life-support machines. After a month, she was discharged and allowed to return home with her relieved parents.
The family is now facing substantial medical bills, reportedly exceeding $3.35 million. The lawsuit filed by Steven and Lori Stokes seeks $17 million in damages from OHSU and Dr. Ashok Muralidaran, the surgeon who performed the initial operation.
However, the legal pursuit faces potential limitations due to state tort claim caps. As a public institution, OHSU’s liability may be capped at a maximum of $5.275 million under current state laws.
Robert Wagner, the parents’ lawyer, described the situation as a “complete and egregious screw-up,” while also acknowledging the teenager’s “miraculous recovery.” OHSU has declined to comment on the ongoing lawsuit, and attempts to reach Dr. Muralidaran for comment have also been made.
