Colin Mizuo Toenail Lawsuits, Two Oregon Women Sue Kaiser for $36 Million Over Alleged Rubbing Alcohol Injections

Two Oregon women are suing Kaiser Permanente and podiatrist Dr. Colin Matthew Mizuo for a combined $36 million, alleging that the doctor injected rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol) instead of local anesthetic before removing their ingrown toenails at Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro, near Portland, in January 2026.

The latest lawsuit, reported November 11, 2026, was filed by Judith Young, who is seeking $23 million for injuries she attributes to the procedure. Her allegations follow a separate $13 million lawsuit filed in June by Sarah Blackman and her husband, Jason Fleskes.

Both women allege they endured severe pain during toenail removal after receiving injections that should have numbed their toes. Blackman’s earlier complaint describes chemical burns, tissue death, lasting pain and an alleged failure to promptly disclose what had happened. Both complaints use the word “torture” to describe the experience, and Blackman’s calls the error a “never event.”

The $36 million represents the combined amounts demanded in two separate civil lawsuits, not a settlement, jury award or finding that the defendants committed malpractice. No final court ruling establishing liability has been verified, and the allegations have not been proven in court.

The cases raise important questions about medication safety, patients’ rights to stop painful procedures, Kaiser Permanente’s responsibility for alleged treatment errors and whether Oregon medical regulators could investigate the doctor.

Colin Mizuo and Kaiser Permanente Lawsuits: Key Facts

Case detail	Current information
Doctor named	Dr. Colin Matthew Mizuo, DPM
Specialty	Podiatric medicine and foot surgery
Location of alleged treatment	Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center, Hillsboro, Oregon
First plaintiff	Sarah Blackman
Additional first-case plaintiff	Her husband, Jason Fleskes (loss of consortium)
Second plaintiff	Judith Young
Alleged procedure dates	Blackman: January 29, 2026; Young: January 22, 2026 (as reported)
First lawsuit	Filed June 26, 2026
Second lawsuit	Filed in early November 2026; reported November 11, 2026
First lawsuit demand	$13 million
Second lawsuit demand	$23 million
Combined demand	$36 million
Court	Multnomah County Circuit Court, Oregon
Defendants named	Kaiser-related entities, Northwest Permanente, P.C., and Dr. Mizuo
Central allegation	Rubbing alcohol injected instead of local anesthetic
Main legal issue	Alleged medical negligence and associated injuries
Settlement	None verified
Verdict	None verified
Current status	Separate civil lawsuits pending; allegations unproven

The new complaint’s exact case number, complete damages breakdown and next hearing date have not been independently confirmed from the court docket.

What Did Judith Young Allege in the New $23 Million Lawsuit Against Kaiser and Dr. Mizuo?

Judith Young is the second publicly identified patient to accuse Mizuo of administering rubbing alcohol rather than an appropriate local anesthetic before toenail removal.

According to November 11 reporting from KOIN, KGW, The Oregonian and other outlets, Young filed her lawsuit in Multnomah County Circuit Court in early November. Her lawsuit seeks $23 million from defendants including Kaiser Permanente and Mizuo.

Reports describe the following allegations:

• Young sought partial removal of an ingrown toenail on one big toe, on or about January 22, 2026, roughly a week before Blackman’s procedure.
• An injection intended to numb her toe instead exposed her tissue to rubbing alcohol, and the toenail was then removed without adequate pain control. She says she screamed and cried that she could feel everything.
• She alleges a chemical burn that killed tissue, resulting in blackened flesh, along with fused bones in the toe, months of inability to work, chronic pain and difficulty walking nearly ten months later.
• She says she returned to the emergency room within days of the procedure.

The complaint is significant because it raises allegations similar to those described in Blackman’s earlier case. However, the two lawsuits should not be treated as proof that the same error occurred on two occasions. Each woman’s case requires its own evidence about the medication administered, the procedure performed, the injuries sustained and the defendants’ responsibility.

The full November complaint was not independently available for review, so additional assertions about Young’s precise treatment, medical prognosis or the circumstances surrounding the alleged medication mix-up should not be presented as established facts.

What Happened to Sarah Blackman During Her January 2026 Toenail Surgery at Kaiser Westside Medical Center?

The earlier lawsuit provides a more detailed account of the alleged treatment error.

On January 29, 2026, Sarah Blackman went to Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro to have ingrown toenails removed from the second toes of both feet. According to her complaint, Mizuo was supposed to inject lidocaine, a local anesthetic commonly used to numb tissue before minor surgical procedures.

Instead, Blackman alleges he injected approximately four milliliters of 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol into each affected toe.

Blackman says she screamed and asked Dr. Mizuo to stop

Blackman’s lawsuit alleges that the toenail removal proceeded despite her extreme pain. She says she screamed, cried and begged Mizuo not to continue with the second toenail.

According to the complaint, the doctor told her to “just get it over with” because he was in a rush to leave the clinic, and allegedly warned her to hold still or the needle could go through her toe. The complaint also alleges that he failed to check whether her toes were adequately numb before proceeding.

Those descriptions are allegations from Blackman’s lawsuit. They do not establish that the doctor intentionally inflicted pain, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged substitution have not been resolved in court.

Blackman’s toes allegedly developed tissue damage

After returning home, Blackman says she experienced persistent burning and throbbing pain. Her complaint describes swelling, redness, skin discoloration and wounds that progressively worsened.

On February 7, 2026, nine days after the procedure, she sought emergency care. She alleges that medical staff diagnosed possible infection and tissue necrosis, a condition in which living tissue dies, without knowing about the alleged alcohol injections. The lawsuit says she was hospitalized through February 9 and received intravenous antibiotics.

Blackman subsequently underwent additional wound treatment and says her ability to walk was significantly affected. Her claimed injuries include chemical burns, tissue loss, nerve damage, bone injury, permanent deformity, ongoing pain and psychological distress. Her husband, Jason Fleskes, is also a plaintiff seeking damages for loss of consortium.

The severity, permanence and cause of these injuries remain matters for medical evidence and the court.

Why Does the Blackman Lawsuit Accuse Kaiser Permanente of Concealing the Medical Error?

One of the most important allegations concerns what happened after Blackman’s procedure.

Her lawsuit states that the medical records available to subsequent healthcare providers did not initially explain that rubbing alcohol had allegedly been injected. As a result, she contends that emergency personnel were treating her symptoms without knowing the suspected cause.

According to Blackman, Kaiser personnel contacted her on March 3, 2026, and disclosed that she had received rubbing alcohol instead of anesthetic, roughly three weeks after her emergency visit and about three months after the procedure. She says she was promised a written explanation but never received the letter despite requests. The complaint alleges that the delay in disclosure interfered with her subsequent medical care and accuses Kaiser of attempting to conceal the cause of her injuries.

These are serious allegations, but they do not independently establish deliberate concealment. The medical records, internal communications, knowledge of the healthcare providers and timing of any investigation would need to be examined. The distinction between an initial medical mistake and an intentional attempt to hide that mistake is legally significant.

Why Would Injecting Rubbing Alcohol Instead of Lidocaine Be Dangerous?

Lidocaine and isopropyl rubbing alcohol serve different medical purposes. Lidocaine is an anesthetic that blocks nerve signals temporarily, allowing certain procedures to be performed with reduced pain. Seventy-percent isopropyl alcohol is commonly used externally for disinfecting skin and surfaces. It is not an interchangeable injectable substitute for lidocaine.

Introducing concentrated alcohol into living tissue can cause chemical injury, inflammation, severe pain and tissue damage. The exact outcome depends on the concentration, amount, location of exposure and individual circumstances.

What is tissue necrosis?

Necrosis means the death of cells or tissue. Damaged tissue may become discolored, develop wounds or require removal through a medical procedure called debridement. Severe injuries can also interfere with healing, nerve function and normal movement.

Blackman’s complaint alleges that she experienced several of these complications, and Young’s reported allegations describe blackened tissue and bone fusion, but the extent to which they were caused by the disputed injections is a question for medical proof.

How could a rubbing alcohol and lidocaine mix-up happen during a routine toenail procedure?

The lawsuits raise the possibility of a medication-selection or administration error involving two clear liquids. Potential safety questions include whether the correct substance was selected, how it was labeled, who prepared the injection and whether the contents were checked before administration.

Those questions do not establish which step, if any, failed in Mizuo’s practice. The actual explanation would require evidence such as the medication administration record, treatment notes, product containers, staff testimony and internal incident documentation.

What is a “never event” in medical care?

Blackman’s complaint calls the alleged error a “never event.” That term is commonly used in patient-safety work for serious, largely preventable medical errors that should not occur in properly run facilities, and wrong-substance or medication errors with serious injury are among the kinds of incidents it is used for. Whether the term applies here is the plaintiffs’ characterization, not a finding by a court or regulator.

Who Is Dr. Colin Matthew Mizuo, and Where Does He Work Now?

Mizuo is a podiatrist specializing in foot and ankle care. His professional biography lists training at the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, where he earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree in 2016, followed by residency training at MedStar. His listed clinical interests include trauma treatment, reconstruction, limb preservation and sports medicine.

The Oregon Clinic announced in December 2025 that Mizuo would join its Foot & Ankle team in January 2026. Summer 2026 reporting by HealthExec stated that the doctor was no longer at Kaiser and now works for another organization in Oregon. Public reports say he could not be reached for comment. The clinic and other provider directories have continued to list him as a practitioner in the Portland area.

These professional listings do not, by themselves, confirm his current employment arrangements, clinical privileges or licensing status as of November 12, 2026. Patients should use the Oregon Medical Board’s official license search rather than relying solely on third-party physician directories.

Has Dr. Mizuo lost his medical license?

No verified public revocation or suspension arising from these lawsuits was established during this review. Public Oregon Medical Board records showed no disciplinary actions against him as of the reports reviewed.

The Oregon Medical Board identifies him under license number DP221624. A publicly accessible board malpractice record showed no closed malpractice claims as of an October 11, 2026 snapshot.

That is not proof the pending claims are false or nonexistent. The board explains that its public malpractice search generally includes qualifying closed cases, not every unresolved lawsuit. Whether the board is conducting a confidential investigation cannot be determined merely from the absence of a public disciplinary order.

Why Is Kaiser Permanente Being Sued Alongside Dr. Mizuo?

The lawsuits concern procedures allegedly performed at a Kaiser facility. Under Oregon negligence law, a healthcare employer or associated organization may face responsibility for certain negligent acts committed by individuals acting within the scope of their employment. This principle is commonly known as respondeat superior, or vicarious liability.

Separate claims can also concern an organization’s own conduct, such as inadequate medication-handling procedures, training, supervision, recordkeeping or incident response.

However, the fact that a procedure occurred at a Kaiser facility does not automatically establish that every Kaiser entity named in a complaint is legally liable. The first lawsuit identifies Kaiser-related entities, Northwest Permanente, P.C., and Mizuo. Each defendant’s contractual, employment and operational role would need to be established.

The claims resemble other medical negligence disputes involving the health system, but they are legally separate from Kaiser Permanente Cardiac Malpractice Lawsuit, What Mathew Williamson’s $534 Million Case Alleges, Case No. UNVERIFIED.

Has Kaiser Permanente responded to the Mizuo lawsuits?

Earlier reporting indicates that journalists sought responses from Kaiser Permanente and related parties concerning Blackman’s allegations, and Kaiser has largely declined detailed public comment on the pending cases. No detailed, independently verified substantive defense addressing both lawsuits was located in the materials reviewed.

The absence of a published response is not an admission of liability. The defendants may dispute the alleged facts, whether their actions violated professional standards, the cause of the injuries, or the amount of compensation requested.

What Oregon Laws Apply to the Colin Mizuo Lawsuits?

Several Oregon laws are relevant to the claims and potential regulatory consequences.

1. Oregon medical malpractice and negligence law

Under Oregon negligence principles, patients generally must establish that a healthcare provider owed them a professional duty of care, failed to meet the applicable standard and caused legally recognizable harm. In a case involving an allegedly incorrect injection, relevant evidence may include the expected anesthetic, medication administration practices, patient symptoms, treatment records and expert medical opinions.

Oregon courts distinguish conduct that requires specialized medical judgment from conduct a jury may be capable of evaluating without extensive expert explanation. A plaintiff may also point to res ipsa loquitur-style reasoning in cases where an injury ordinarily would not occur without negligence, though whether that doctrine applies is for the court.

Oregon’s comparative fault statute, ORS 31.600, also allows a jury to compare any fault attributed to a plaintiff. Nothing in the reported allegations suggests the plaintiffs bear responsibility for the injections.

2. Oregon Revised Statutes § 12.110(4): Filing deadlines

Oregon generally requires medical malpractice lawsuits to be filed within two years after an injury is discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. The statute also generally imposes a five-year outer limitation measured from the treatment, omission or operation, with an exception involving fraud, deceit or misleading representation.

This matters because Blackman’s lawsuit specifically alleges delayed disclosure. But a delayed disclosure does not automatically extend the deadline. The statute’s requirements must be applied to the actual evidence. Anyone considering an independent claim should obtain legal advice promptly rather than assume a later deadline applies.

3. Oregon Revised Statutes §§ 677.188 and 677.190: Professional conduct and licensing

Oregon’s Medical Practice Act, ORS chapter 677, regulates physicians and podiatrists. Section 677.188 defines categories of unprofessional conduct, including practices contrary to recognized professional standards or dangerous to patient safety. Section 677.190 identifies potential grounds for medical board discipline, including gross negligence and repeated negligence.

Depending on the evidence, available regulatory outcomes can include a reprimand, required education, practice restrictions, suspension or revocation. A civil malpractice lawsuit and a professional licensing investigation are separate proceedings.

4. Oregon Revised Statutes §§ 31.705 and 31.710: Economic and noneconomic damages

Oregon law distinguishes economic damages from noneconomic damages. Economic damages can include medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, lost income and future impairment of earning capacity. Noneconomic damages can include pain, mental suffering, emotional distress, loss of normal activities and loss of companionship or consortium.

ORS 31.710 contains a $500,000 limit on noneconomic damages in specified circumstances, but Oregon appellate courts have held that limit unconstitutional as applied in certain personal-injury cases, including Lakin v. Senco Products, Inc., 329 Or 62 (1999), and Busch v. McInnis Waste Systems, Inc., 366 Or 628 (2020). That provision should not be incorrectly described as a blanket $500,000 cap on these living patients’ personal-injury claims. Whether any limit applies to these plaintiffs is a question for Oregon counsel and the court.

5. Punitive damages under Oregon law

Oregon Revised Statutes §§ 31.725, 31.730 and 31.740 govern the pleading and availability of punitive damages. Punitive damages require a separate showing beyond ordinary negligence, generally proof by clear and convincing evidence of malice or reckless and outrageous indifference to a highly unreasonable risk of harm, and a plaintiff must generally obtain the court’s permission to add a punitive damages claim to a complaint. Oregon also provides specific protections for qualifying healthcare practitioners acting within the scope of practice and without malice.

It would therefore be incorrect to assume that the two complaints automatically support punitive damages merely because the allegations are severe.

6. Oregon patient-safety reporting and early resolution programs

Oregon operates a state Patient Safety Commission under ORS 442.800 to 442.851, which administers a voluntary reporting program for serious adverse events. Oregon law also provides an Early Discussion and Resolution process for certain adverse health care incidents under ORS 31.250 to 31.278. Whether either program was used in these cases has not been publicly reported.

7. Patient access to medical records under HIPAA

Under the HIPAA right-of-access rule, 45 C.F.R. § 164.524, patients generally have a right to obtain copies of protected health information maintained in their designated record sets, subject to specified exceptions. This is the most practical tool patients have for finding out what was documented about a procedure.

Will the Two Women Actually Receive $36 Million From Kaiser and Dr. Mizuo?

No compensation has been awarded based on the available information. The figures are amounts requested by plaintiffs.

Lawsuit	Amount demanded	Current outcome
Sarah Blackman and Jason Fleskes	$13 million	No verified judgment or settlement
Judith Young	$23 million	No verified judgment or settlement
Combined	$36 million	Not an established payout

The outcomes could depend on proof of the alleged injection errors, the severity and cause of the injuries, future medical needs, employment losses and other recoverable damages. The fact that two patients have filed similar lawsuits may prompt scrutiny of common safety procedures, but it does not mean the two cases will automatically be combined.

For comparison, a separate Oregon malpractice action involving serious allegations of emergency-care failures is covered in Ethan Cantrell Lawsuit Against Good Samaritan Hospital, Oregon Teen Died After Doctor Left Twigs and Moss Inside Arm Wound.

Can Other Colin Mizuo or Kaiser Patients File Lawsuits Over Toenail Procedures?

Potentially, if they experienced a separate injury that can be legally connected to negligent medical treatment. However, these are individual malpractice lawsuits, not an announced class action. Other patients are not automatically entitled to compensation simply because they received podiatric care from Mizuo or underwent toenail removal at Kaiser Permanente.

Patients concerned about an unexplained complication can take several practical steps:

1. Request their complete treatment records, including procedure notes and medication administration information.
2. Obtain an independent medical evaluation if persistent pain, wounds or suspected nerve damage remain unresolved.
3. Preserve photographs, medical invoices, specialist reports and relevant communications.
4. Ask the healthcare provider for a written explanation of any suspected treatment error.
5. Consult an Oregon medical malpractice attorney about causation and filing deadlines.
6. Consider making a written complaint to the Oregon Medical Board if there is evidence of potential professional misconduct.

A complaint to the medical board does not replace filing a lawsuit and does not, by itself, stop a civil limitations deadline.

Medical malpractice issues also arise in other states under different legal rules, as discussed in Chloe Cole Lawsuit, What the Medical Malpractice Case Against Kaiser Permanente Means for Your Legal Rights 2026.

Colin Mizuo and Kaiser Lawsuit Timeline

Date	Development
January 22, 2026	Judith Young’s procedure at the center of her lawsuit (as reported)
January 29, 2026	Sarah Blackman allegedly receives rubbing alcohol injections during toenail removal
February 7, 2026	Blackman seeks emergency care for complications
February 7 to 9, 2026	Blackman alleges she receives hospital treatment
March 3, 2026	Kaiser personnel allegedly disclose the injection error to Blackman
June 26, 2026	Blackman and her husband file their $13 million lawsuit
July 2026	The first lawsuit attracts national media attention
Early November 2026	Judith Young files a second lawsuit seeking $23 million
November 11, 2026	Portland-area outlets report the second case
November 12, 2026	Combined demands reach $36 million; no final outcomes verified

Frequently Asked Questions About the Colin Mizuo Toenail Lawsuits

What is Dr. Colin Mizuo accused of doing?

Two women allege that Mizuo injected rubbing alcohol instead of local anesthetic before removing toenails during procedures at a Kaiser Permanente facility in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Who is the second woman suing Kaiser Permanente over the rubbing alcohol injection?

Judith Young. Her $23 million lawsuit was reported November 11, 2026.

Who filed the first Colin Mizuo lawsuit?

Sarah Blackman and her husband, Jason Fleskes, filed the earlier case in June 2026. Their combined damages demand is $13 million.

Did Dr. Colin Mizuo intentionally torture patients?

That has not been established. The plaintiffs have used descriptions conveying extreme pain, including the word “torture,” but no verified ruling establishes that Mizuo intentionally inflicted injury or committed a criminal offense.

Why would rubbing alcohol cause tissue death?

Isopropyl rubbing alcohol is intended for uses such as external disinfection. Injecting it into living tissue can cause chemical injury and damage cells. The cause and extent of each plaintiff’s injuries must be established through medical evidence.

Does Colin Mizuo still practice medicine?

Professional directories have listed him with The Oregon Clinic in Portland, and earlier reporting said he is no longer at Kaiser and works for another Oregon organization. His exact current practice arrangements and license status should be verified directly with the provider and the Oregon Medical Board.

Has Colin Mizuo been arrested?

No arrest or criminal charge arising from these allegations was verified. The reported proceedings are civil malpractice lawsuits.

Has the Oregon Medical Board revoked his license?

No revocation was verified in the materials reviewed. Pending investigations may be confidential, and civil lawsuits do not automatically result in professional discipline.

Did Kaiser Permanente admit malpractice?

No confirmed admission of malpractice was identified in the reviewed materials. Blackman alleges Kaiser told her in March 2026 that rubbing alcohol had been injected, but that is an allegation in her complaint, not a legal finding.

Is there a $36 million Kaiser Permanente settlement?

No. The $36 million is the combined amount being sought in two lawsuits. No settlement fund or consumer claim form has been verified.

How long do Oregon patients have to sue for medical malpractice?

Oregon Revised Statutes § 12.110(4) generally provides two years from discovery of the injury, subject to a five-year outer limit and specified exceptions. Individual deadlines require a fact-specific assessment.

Where can I check the Colin Mizuo court cases?

The Oregon Judicial Department provides free basic case search and access to more detailed court records through OJCIN Online and court clerk services. Search using the plaintiffs’ names or Mizuo’s name.

What Happens Next in the Kaiser Permanente Toenail Lawsuits?

The two cases could proceed through responses to the complaints, document discovery, testimony from healthcare personnel, expert medical evaluations and settlement negotiations. Important unresolved questions include how the alleged medication substitutions occurred, who knew about any error, whether the affected patients were promptly informed and whether appropriate safety procedures were followed.

The defendants will also have opportunities to contest the allegations and challenge the damages demanded. The addition of Young’s lawsuit makes the dispute more significant, but two allegations do not equal two proven instances of malpractice.

For patients, the immediate lesson is that unexplained or worsening symptoms after a procedure warrant appropriate medical attention and accurate treatment records. For the litigation, the next meaningful developments will be the defendants’ court responses, any substantiated regulatory action, or a verified settlement or judgment.

Sources and Legal References

Contemporary case reporting

1. KGW, November 11, 2026: Second Woman Sues Kaiser Over Alleged Rubbing Alcohol Injection: New $23 million lawsuit.
2. KOIN, November 11, 2026: Another Kaiser Patient Accuses Hillsboro Doctor: Judith Young’s allegations and civil filing.
3. The Daily Chronicle, November 11, 2026: Second patient says doctor injected her with rubbing alcohol instead of painkiller: $23 million lawsuit report.
4. KPTV, July 6, 2026: First $13 Million Lawsuit: Blackman’s original allegations and medical timeline.
5. HealthExec: Kaiser faces $13M lawsuit after patient was allegedly injected with rubbing alcohol before her toenails were removed: Reports the doctor’s departure from Kaiser.

Official records and primary legal authorities

6. Oregon Judicial Department: Find a Case or Court Record: Official circuit court lookup procedures.
7. Oregon Medical Board: Colin Matthew Mizuo Malpractice Record: Official malpractice record; limited to qualifying reported closed claims.
8. Oregon Medical Board: Licensee Search: Current licensing and disciplinary verification.
9. The Oregon Clinic: Colin Mizuo Professional Biography: Education, specialty and published practice information.
10. Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 12: Medical malpractice limitations under § 12.110.
11. Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 31: Civil damages, comparative fault, punitive damages and early discussion and resolution provisions.
12. Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 442: Oregon Patient Safety Commission provisions.
13. Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 677: Medical Practice Act, professional conduct and licensing.
14. Oregon Medical Board: Complaint and Investigation Process: Regulatory complaint procedures.
15. 45 C.F.R. § 164.524: Patients’ rights to access medical records.

Research note: The November 2026 allegations are drawn from contemporary Portland-area reporting. The earlier complaint’s details are based on contemporaneous reporting of that court filing. The complete November complaint and final case-specific judicial records were not independently obtained, so no court case number, additional injuries or defense response are stated beyond what the reports describe. Last reviewed November 12, 2026.

Legal disclaimer: AllAboutLawyer.com provides general U.S. legal information, not medical or legal advice. The allegations described in these lawsuits have not been proven in court. Patients concerned about medical complications should seek independent medical evaluation, and those considering legal action should consult a qualified Oregon attorney.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against contemporaneous news reporting of the court filings (KPTV, KGW, KOIN, The Daily Chronicle and HealthExec) and the Oregon statutes and federal rule cited above, as of November 12, 2026. Last Updated: November 12, 2026.