A Portland, Ore., man is suing Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente for nearly $534 million, alleging the health system and several physicians failed to properly diagnose and treat a heart condition that led to cardiac arrest and the amputation of both his legs, ABC affiliate KATU reported Aug. 24.
The Aug. 21 lawsuit from patient Matthew Williamson alleges “negligence and recklessness” by the defendants and cites a history of AV block that “progressively worsened over time,” according to the report. It alleges providers placed Mr. Williamson on metoprolol despite the medication being inappropriate for patients with serious AV block absent a pacemaker.
The complaint alleges Kaiser and the physicians were “fully aware” of his cardiac history before he suffered cardiac arrest on May 15, 2025, according to the report. That event resulted in above-the-knee amputation of both legs, fasciotomies on both arms with severe loss of function, renal failure, bowel injury requiring an ileostomy and phantom limb pain.
The complaint seeks noneconomic damages up to $500 million, past medical expenses of roughly $2.7 million, an estimated $30 million in future medical costs, and additional lost income and earning-capacity damages, according to the report.
A Kaiser spokesperson told Becker’s in a statement that Mr. Williamson’s clinical needs and care were complex and the system remains “deeply committed to providing safe, high-quality care to every patient” it services.
“As this is now active litigation, and we respect our patients’ privacy, it would not be appropriate to comment on the specific allegations,” the statement said.
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