• The family of John Michael Murdoch is suing Oregon Health & Science University after his face caught fire during a surgery.
• Murdoch, 52, was reportedly awake during the procedure when a spark ignited alcohol swabbed on his face.
• The lawsuit seeks $900,000 in damages, citing negligence from the surgical team.
• Murdoch suffered disfiguring injuries before passing away from cancer in June 2023.
• Experts highlight that surgical fires are preventable incidents if proper protocols are followed.

The family of John Michael Murdoch, who suffered severe burns after his face caught fire during a surgical procedure, has filed a malpractice lawsuit against Oregon Health & Science University. The incident, which occurred in December 2022 while Murdoch was undergoing a tracheostomy for tongue cancer, has left his family seeking $900,000 in damages. The lawsuit was initiated by his wife, Toni Murdoch, claiming that surgical staff improperly swabbed his face with isopropyl alcohol, which had not dried before an electrosurgical tool sparked, igniting the alcohol and causing serious burns.

Murdoch, a 52-year-old cancer patient, was reportedly 'awake and conscious' during the incident, adding to the horror of the experience. His attorney, Ron Cheng, indicated that the surgical mishap led to permanent disfigurement and painful injuries that Murdoch suffered intensely before his death from cancer six months later in June 2023. “This is a ‘never’ event,” Cheng remarked, emphasizing the unacceptable nature of such an occurrence.

The lawsuit not only names Oregon Health & Science University as a defendant but also includes Dr. Adam Howard, whose medical license lapsed shortly after the incident, and several unnamed surgical staff. In its filing, the plaintiff's team alleges that the medical team failed to adhere to necessary safety protocols, which contribute to the risk of fire in operating rooms. The American College of Surgeons has underscored that surgical fires occur in environments where ignition sources, oxygen, and potential fuels like alcohol coexist.

Reports indicate that approximately 90 to 100 surgical fires happen annually in the United States, stressing the urgent need for stringent safety measures. Following this tragic incident, it has become essential for healthcare institutions to train staff about fire prevention tactics and maintain vigilant practices surrounding the use of alcohol-based disinfectants and surgical equipment.

The lawsuit, as reported by India Times, serves as a stark reminder to hospitals nationwide about safeguarding patient welfare during surgical procedures.