An Oregon man's wife has filed a $900,000 lawsuit after his face burst into flames during a surgery.
John Michael Murdoch, 51, was "awake and conscious" when the surgical mishap occurred, Oregonlive.com reported. Murdoch's face had been swabbed with alcohol and was ignited by a spark from a surgical tool, the lawsuit alleges, according to oregonlive.com.
The incident occurred during a December 2022 tracheostomy at Oregon Health & Science University hospital. The procedure was going to create a hole for breathing in his neck. Murdoch had been diagnosed with cancer in his tongue, oregonlive.com reported.
Post-surgery, Murdoch lived for about six more months with disfiguring scars and swelling, The Chronicle reported. He died in June 2023.
"This is a 'never' event — it never should have happened," attorney Ron Cheng told The Chronicle.
Sara Hottman, an OHSU spokesperson, declined to comment, citing privacy laws, The Chronicle reported.
Murdoch's obituary states that he was born in Dallas, Oregon and grew up in Lincoln County. He eventually moved to Newberg, Oregon where he worked for Napa Auto Parts. He was described as a "gear-head" with a passion for trucks and motorcycles, who enjoyed camping, fishing, and playing poker with his friends.
