Home / Health / Oregon Teen Dies After Hospital Misses Pine Needles
Oregon Teen Dies After Hospital Misses Pine Needles
13 May
Summary
- Family sues hospital for $100 million after son's death.
- Doctors allegedly failed to remove pine needles from wound.
- Infection led to amputation and death days later.
An Oregon family is seeking $100 million in a lawsuit alleging medical negligence caused their 18-year-old son's death. Ethan Cantrell died on August 20, 2026, following an infection after an injury to his right arm.
The civil lawsuit claims that doctors at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center failed to remove pine needles and other debris from Cantrell's wound before suturing it on August 15, 2026. Despite an X-ray showing no bone abnormality, the suit states that organic matter would not be visible. Cantrell was prescribed antibiotics but later developed severe pain, swelling, and fever.
After initial reassurances, Cantrell's condition worsened significantly. A second examination revealed a deep-tissue infection, but sutures were not removed, and antibiotics were not broadened. Doctors eventually removed over a dozen pieces of plant matter from the wound, confirming a bacterial infection.
Cantrell was transferred to another hospital where his arm was amputated up to the shoulder. Despite these efforts, his condition continued to decline, and he died from the necrotizing soft tissue infection.
