John Michael Murdoch, a 52-year-old cancer patient from Oregon, suffered severe facial burns during a surgical procedure, leading to permanent disfigurement, as per a lawsuit filed by his family. The lawsuit, seeking $900,000 in damages, was filed against Oregon Health & Science University, Dr. Adam Howard, and several unnamed members of the surgical team.
In December 2022, Murdoch underwent a tracheostomy at the Oregon Health & Science University as part of his treatment for squamous cell carcinoma, a type of tongue cancer. The lawsuit alleges that the medical staff used isopropyl alcohol to sterilize Murdoch’s face before the procedure. However, the alcohol had not completely evaporated when a surgical tool sparked, igniting a fire.
The lawsuit, filed by Murdoch’s wife, Toni, accuses the hospital and the surgical team of medical malpractice. According to the lawsuit, Murdoch was conscious and awake during the incident. Despite the severe burns, Murdoch lived for another six months before succumbing to his cancer in June 2023. The lawsuit claims that he never fully recovered from the traumatic incident.
The family’s attorney, Ron Cheng, expressed his dismay at the incident, stating that it should never have happened. Cheng revealed that Murdoch, despite his difficulty in speaking, was able to convey the pain and trauma he experienced due to the burns in his final months.
The lawsuit further alleges that the surgical tool used during Murdoch’s procedure had a history of emitting sparks. Combined with the oxygen in the room and the undried alcohol on Murdoch’s face, these elements created a “fire triangle,” leading to the fire.
According to the Emergency Care Research Institute, there are approximately 90 to 100 surgical fires in the US each year. The American College of Surgeons has warned that the operating room can create perfect conditions for a fire, urging medical staff to remain vigilant to prevent such incidents.
Dr. Adam Howard, one of the defendants in the lawsuit, received his medical license in 2022. However, his license expired in January 2024. Despite this, he is still listed as an instructor on the hospital’s website. Oregon Health & Science University has declined to comment on the case, citing patient privacy laws and ongoing litigation.