Jason Jay Lewis, a 45-year-old Fairview man, was a father of two sons, ages 11 and 21, and worked as a DoorDash driver. After his death, his family filed a $40.75 million lawsuit against Legacy Health, alleging that care at a Legacy emergency department contributed to his death.
The lawsuit was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. It names Legacy Health and Jennifer Yealy, a physician associate, as defendants.
Days of Fever Before the ER Visit
The lawsuit says Lewis sought help through a telehealth appointment with his Adventist Health primary care provider on February 21, 2025. He reported sinus pressure, congestion, body aches and a fever that had remained at 103 degrees for four days, falling below 100 only with Tylenol. Tests for COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and flu were negative. Attorney Chris Kuhlman said the suit does not fault Adventist Health for its initial screening.
The complaint alleges that Lewis went to the emergency room at Mount Hood Medical Center in Gresham the next day and that testing showed multiple abnormalities, in addition to a rapid heart rate and high white blood cell count. It says Yealy diagnosed a viral upper respiratory infection and discharged him without antibiotics.
A Diagnosis That Came Too Late
The lawsuit says Lewis later went to Providence Portland Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with sepsis, acute respiratory failure and toxic shock syndrome. It identifies Group A Streptococcus, also known as Streptococcus pyogenes, as the infection involved. The bacterium spreads through tiny droplets from coughs or sneezes and can cause strep throat, rheumatic fever and scarlet fever. Lewis died after the hospitalization…