Family sues Oregon hospital after doctors allegedly implanted heart valve upside down in 13-year-old
A Portland family has sued Oregon Health and Science University, claiming doctors implanted their 13-year-old daughter's heart valve upside down during surgery and then told them she was dying when the condition was curable. After the August surgery, the girl was placed on life support and hospital staff discussed end-of-life care, but Seattle Children's Hospital discovered the misplaced valve and corrected it. The case highlights potential surgical errors and questions about medical communication during critical care situations.
Steven and Lori Stokes filed suit in Multnomah County Circuit Court in late May against Oregon Health and Science University after their daughter's open-heart surgery in August resulted in a misplaced heart valve. Following the procedure, the girl required ECMO life support when doctors could not restart her heart, and hospital staff told the family she would likely need an artificial heart or transplant and might not survive transfer to another facility. Despite these dire warnings, the parents transferred their daughter to Seattle Children's Hospital, where physicians discovered the valve had been installed upside down. After correcting the valve placement, the girl's heart functioned adequately and she was removed from life support, eventually returning home. The family claims she suffered permanent physical and emotional injuries and is seeking $17 million in damages, though the hospital's liability is capped at $5.275 million under Oregon law.
What's missing
The coverage does not explain the standard procedures for valve installation verification during open-heart surgery or discuss how such an error could occur despite typical surgical safeguards and imaging techniques. Additionally, there is limited information about the girl's current health status beyond characterizations of her recovery.
What different sources said
- The IndependentLeft
Family sues hospital that allegedly told them their 13-year-old was dying - but it was entirely curable
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