Family Sues Hospital After Teen Dies From Infection Linked to Debris Left in Stitched Wound

An Oregon teen's family recently filed a $100 million lawsuit against a hospital after the 18-year-old boy died from an infection allegedly linked to debris left in his wound.

According to the complaint cited by People, the deceased teen, identified as Ethan Cantrell, died five days after seeking treatment at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center for an injury on his arm he suffered while cutting wood.

According to the complaint filed by Ethan's family, on the morning of August 15, 2024, Ethan visited the ER at Good Samaritan when Dr. Robert Schweiss examined the wound, irrigated it with saline and sutured it.

The complaint stated that the doctor also "ordered a stat X-ray of Ethan’s right arm, which showed soft tissue air, but no bone abnormality and no radio-opaque foreign body." It also highlighted that "Organic materials such as wood, dirt, and pine needles generally do not appear via x-ray."

However, the fifth-generation logger experienced a fever of 102.5-degree fever and swelling in his right arm, which prompted his mother to contact the hospital.

The nurse "reassured" her that there was "no cause for concern," saying the fever was likely caused by the antibiotics prescribed to him and suggesting he may have had COVID-19. However, the test came back negative when the teen took one at home.

Cantrell subsequently returned to the ER after consulting with a different nurse the following day, when the "suspected deep tissue infection" was noted, but did not have the stitches removed.

As his condition worsened, a different doctor, identified as Dr Kit McCalla, examined him at around 4:30 a.m. on August 17, and noted that his right arm had swollen to "2-3 times that of his left arm," was leaking fluid, before ordering him an MRI and surgical irrigation.

When the doctor subsequently opened his wound, he found "over 12 pieces of organic plant matter, including twigs, pine needles, and moss."

Lab cultures later revealed the presence of Enterococcus faecalis. As Ethan's condition continued to deteriorate, he was flown to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Hospital in Portland on August 19, 2024, where doctors conducted multiple surgeries to stabilize his condition.

"Doctors at OHSU immediately recognized Ethan's condition as life-threatening," the complaint stated, adding, "They stabilized him and performed multiple surgeries. In an effort to save his life from the spreading. infection, doctors at OHSU amputated Ethan's right arm as well as his right shoulder girdle. Despite these extreme measures, Ethan continued to deteriorate."

However, the teen passed away on August 20, just before 4:30 p.m., "as a result of necrotizing soft tissue infection from a puncture injury in his right arm."

Following his death, his family filed a $100 million lawsuit on April 29, 2026, against the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Mary's Peak Emergency Physicians, and doctors Schweiss and McCalla.

"As a general rule, laceration wounds are closed after cleaning. Deeper puncture wounds are left open or only loosely closed to allow drainage. Tightly closing a deep wound, especially if it may contain foreign material, increases the risk of infection," they alleged.

The complaint further alleged that Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center failed to order an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan, which, according to the complaint, could have revealed debris in the deceased teen's wound.

Addressing Ethan's passing, Tyler Jacobsen, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Samaritan Health Services in a statement said:

"Our sympathies are with all who have been impacted by this loss. We take all concerns about patient care seriously, and we will respond through the appropriate legal process."