Incident Overview

A $2.5 million lawsuit has been launched against PDX Nails, a nail salon in Portland, Oregon, after a woman claimed she contracted genital herpes during a manicure appointment last year. The plaintiff, a 31-year-old identified in legal documents as J.S., states that she is the second person within two years to report similar infections linked to this salon.

Allegations and Health Concerns

According to court documents, J.S. underwent an acrylic manicure at PDX Nails, where the nail technician allegedly performed the procedure without wearing gloves while administering a hand massage with lotion or oil. Just a day after her visit, J.S. experienced a burning sensation and the following day developed blisters that prompted her to seek advice from acquaintances regarding her symptoms.

Connection to Previous Case

Shortly before J.S.’s visit, a different customer, referred to as S.R. in earlier court documents, settled a similar lawsuit against PDX Nails. The previous case was settled in July 2024 for $1.75 million. J.S. remarked on her shock when acquaintances linked her condition back to the salon, recalling their comments about prior litigation involving PDX Nails.

Impact on Health and Safety Regulations

J.S. claims that subsequent outbreaks occurred despite her efforts to manage the condition with antiviral medications. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that she had no previous exposure to the herpes virus prior to her visit to the salon.

The suit also implicates the Oregon Health Authority and the state’s Health Licensing Office, arguing that these institutions failed to take appropriate actions to safeguard customers after the initial case was reported. A history of prior infractions includes PDX Nails being fined in 2021 for failing to adequately disinfect tools used during manicures.

Personal Impact on the Plaintiff

As a mother, J.S. expressed her concerns about possibly transmitting the virus to others through touch, stating that she wears gloves during routine tasks such as changing her baby’s diaper. “I’m worried that I might mess up somebody else’s life because of this,” she shared.

Current Status of PDX Nails

While PDX Nails has two locations in Portland, they have faced fines in the past yet have not received any new violations since 2021. The salon’s management declined to comment on the ongoing litigation when approached by media outlets. The Oregon Health Authority has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.