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Oregon Hospital Sued After Patient Dies Drinking Toilet Water

7/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

A lawsuit alleges Oregon State Hospital staff watched Kenneth Hass drink more than five gallons of toilet water and did not intervene, causing his death.
Hass’s sister filed a wrongful-death suit against the hospital and Oregon Health Authority.
A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) audit found delays and a disorganized response during the incident.
Governor Tina Kotek ordered a 30-day plan and named Sean Murphy as superintendent starting July 13.

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Story summary

A lawsuit alleges Oregon State Hospital staff watched Kenneth Hass drink more than five gallons of toilet water and did not intervene, causing his death.
Hass’s sister filed a wrongful-death suit against the hospital and Oregon Health Authority.
A Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) audit found delays and a disorganized response during the incident.
Governor Tina Kotek ordered a 30-day plan and named Sean Murphy as superintendent starting July 13.