The family of an Oregon man whose face caught on fire during surgery while he was ‘awake and conscious’ is suing the hospital where the incident took place for nearly $1million.

John Michael Murdoch, then 51, was undergoing a tracheostomy – a procedure to create a breathing hole in his neck – in December 2022 after he was diagnosed with tongue cancer.

According to the lawsuit, alcohol was applied to Mr Murdoch’s face to prep his skin for the procedure, but it did not fully dry before doctors at Oregon Health & Science University began the surgery.

While Mr Murdoch was awake on the operating table, a surgical instrument emitted a spark. It ignited and burned his skin, leaving him with ‘disfiguring scars and traumatic wounds.’ 

While this was happening, the lawsuit claims Mr Murdoch was ‘awake and conscious.’

It is claimed in court documents seen by Oregon Live that he was unable to speak clearly at the time, but he was able to communicate the discomfort and pain he endured from his burns to his wife – though she did not reveal exactly how. 

He lived for six months following the incident, with cancer listed as the eventual cause of his death in June 2023. 

It is estimated that 90 to 100 surgical fires occur annually in the US and in most cases, the incidents are preventable. However, many are believed to fall under the radar, and there is no national database documenting the cases. 

John Michael Murdoch, then 51, was undergoing a tracheostomy – a procedure to create a breathing hole in his neck – when he allegedly sustained surgical burns

While the burns from the surgical fire were not cited as the cause of death, the lawsuit claims Mr Murdoch endured great suffering and his wounds never fully healed before he died.

According to the lawsuit, the tool used during his surgery had a history of sparking.

The fire started after the sparks combined with oxygen and the highly flammable isopropyl alcohol, which had not fully evaporated from Mr Murdoch’s face. 

The colorless liquid is commonly used to disinfect skin before surgery but surgeons are advised to allow for ample drying time to avoid the possibility of fire. 

Ron Cheng, the Murdoch family’s lawyer, claimed the fire damage ‘never should have happened’.

A spokesperson for Oregon Health & Science University did not provide a comment to The Oregonian, which originally reviewed the court documents, due to patient privacy. 

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices reportsaround 30 surgical fires per year cause disfiguring or disabling injuries to patients.

One or two of these fires result in fatalities, most often when they cause fires in a patient’s airways and they then can no longer breath.

In the lawsuit, Dr Adam Howard is listed as a defendant.

It is estimated that 90 to 100 surgical fires occur annually in the US and in most cases, the incidents are preventable (Stock image)

According to an investigation by Oregon Live, Dr Howard’s medical license switched to a ‘lapsed’ status about a year after Mr Murdoch’s face allegedly caught on fire.

While OHSU’s website still lists him as a staff member, he appears to be working in West Virginia, where his license is active, and also appears to be an assistant professor at West Virginia University.

Along with Dr Howard, Oregon Health & Science University is also listed as a defendant as are 10 unnamed surgical staff. 

Mr Murdoch’s obituary reveals he worked at an auto parts store for many years. 

Along with trucks and motorcycles, camping, fishing and ‘playing poker with his buddies’ are listed as his other passions.  

It concludes: ‘John is survived by his wife Toni, parents, step-children, brother & sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, and a lifetime of friends.’