Hillsboro, Oregon — An Oregon woman has filed a $13 million medical malpractice lawsuit against Kaiser Permanente, alleging that a doctor mistakenly injected 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol instead of a local anesthetic before removing two of her toenails, leaving her with what she describes as life-altering injuries.
According to the complaint filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Sarah Blackman underwent a bilateral toenail removal procedure at a Kaiser Permanente clinic in Hillsboro to treat ingrown toenails. What was expected to be a routine outpatient procedure allegedly turned into a painful medical ordeal.
Lawsuit Claims Wrong Substance Was Injected Before Procedure
The lawsuit alleges the physician was supposed to administer lidocaine, a local anesthetic commonly used to numb the toes before surgery.
Instead, Blackman claims she was injected with 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, which the complaint describes as a serious medical error that should never occur during standard patient care.
According to the filing, the doctor proceeded with removing both toenails even though Blackman was experiencing intense pain and had not become numb.
The complaint argues that injecting rubbing alcohol instead of anesthetic represents a “never event”—a term used in healthcare for preventable and serious medical errors.
“The injection of 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol in lieu of a local anesthetic during an in-office podiatric procedure constitutes a ‘never event’ — a gross and obvious deviation from accepted medical and nursing standards of care that should never occur in the course of competent medical treatment,” the complaint states.
Woman Says She Pleaded With Doctor to Stop
According to the lawsuit, Blackman screamed and cried throughout the procedure because of the severe pain. She claims she begged the physician not to continue treating her second toe, but alleges the doctor refused to stop.
“Ms. Blackman was in agony throughout, audibly screamed and cried, and begged that the second toe not be treated,” the complaint recounts.
The lawsuit further alleges the doctor responded by telling her she should “just get it over with” because he was “in a rush to get out of the clinic.”
Blackman also claims the physician never checked whether the medication had properly numbed her toes before beginning the procedure.
Condition Worsened After She Returned Home
After leaving the clinic, Blackman says she followed all post-procedure care instructions but soon noticed her condition rapidly deteriorating.
According to the complaint, both toes developed severe burning pain, swelling, redness, skin discoloration, and oozing wounds.
She sought emergency treatment at Kaiser on February 7, 2026, where she was admitted to the hospital after doctors reportedly believed she was suffering from an infection and tissue necrosis.
Because medical staff allegedly were unaware that rubbing alcohol had been injected, the lawsuit says she underwent treatment for an infection, including intravenous antibiotics, wound care, and additional medical procedures.
Lawsuit Alleges Error Was Not Disclosed for Weeks
Blackman alleges she was not informed about the injection mistake until March 3, when Kaiser personnel contacted her by phone. The lawsuit claims she was promised a written explanation but never received one despite repeated requests.
According to the complaint, medical records initially failed to document that rubbing alcohol had been injected, making it more difficult for subsequent healthcare providers to fully understand the cause of her injuries.
The lawsuit alleges Blackman has been left with permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, tissue loss, toe deformities, arthritis, reduced mobility, psychological trauma, and ongoing medical needs, including specialized wound care and mental health treatment.
Along with claims of negligence and medical malpractice, Blackman and her husband are seeking damages for loss of companionship and the impact the injuries have had on their daily lives.
The allegations outlined in the lawsuit represent the plaintiffs’ claims. Kaiser Permanente’s response to the lawsuit had not been detailed in the court filing referenced in the report.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you believe healthcare providers should face stronger accountability when preventable medical errors occur? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
