UO student sues Oregon Medical Group and its affiliates over 2015 meningitis misdiagnosis
The $3 million lawsuit stems from a January 2015 outbreak
University of Oregon student Christina Jenkins has filed a lawsuit against medical providers, alleging that their delayed meningococcal diagnosis resulted in her going into septic shock, causing physical and emotional ailments.
According to The Register Guard, Jenkins is seeking $3 million in damages, stemming from ailments that include “scarring from surgical procedures, swallowing difficulties, sensitivity to medication and overall effects on her quality of life.” In addition to the meningococcal side effects, Jenkins reportedly amassed $500,000 in medical bills for her hospitalization, medication, and therapeutic care.
Christina Jenkins is suing the Oregon Medical Group after being misdiagnosed for Meningitis. Photo courtesy of Oregon GEAR UP
Jenkins stated in the lawsuit that she began experiencing initial symptoms in mid-January 2015 that included vomiting, sore throat, coughing, and a fever with chills. Elizabeth Strubel, a physician’s assistant and Oregon Medical Group affiliate who works at the Crescent Avenue office reportedly administered a flu test and determined that Jenkins was apparently suffering from a “viral syndrome.”
Despite Strubel’s recommendation to stay hydrated and rest, Jenkins symptoms failed to improve and she was diagnosed at another medical clinic with Meningitis later that night. Oregon Medical Group, the OHR Physician Group, Oregon Healthcare Resources, and the aforementioned Strubel are all included in the lawsuit, which is being filed through the Lane County Circuit Court and demands a jury trial.
The clinic where Jenkins was misdiagnosed
The lawsuit finds Oregon Medical Group financially responsible for medical negligence and cites that the group and its associates involved failed to properly diagnose Jenkins in time. The deposition argues that the defendants failed to asses Jenkins’ mental status, failed to perform a blood test or check for burst blood vessels, and did not immediately start giving Jenkins antibiotics for her ailments.
The eventual meningoccoccal diagnosis occurred during an early 2015 campus- wide outbreak that resulted in seven diagnoses of the bacterial disease, including the death of one student, Lauren Camille Jones.
Jones was also misdiagnosed in February of 2015, this time at the PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center, University District. Jones’ family subsequently filed a $2.5 million lawsuit alleging misdiagnosis the following month.