Man files medical malpractice complaint against hospital

A man has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Columbia Memorial Hospital, alleging that a doctor performed unnecessarily painful and costly procedures.

Thor Norgaard is seeking $3 million in economic damages and up to $160,000 in noneconomic damages from the Astoria hospital.

According to the lawsuit, filed in November in Clatsop County Circuit Court, Norgaard was evaluated and underwent multiple surgeries under a Columbia Memorial doctor between 2021 and 2022.

It was not until he was referred elsewhere in 2023 that he learned that the care provided by Columbia Memorial was allegedly “inappropriate and caused unnecessary and prolonged treatment, pain, suffering, embarrassment and financial hardship.”

Columbia Memorial declined to comment on the lawsuit.

Offices to close for New Year’s Day

In observance of New Year’s Day on Wednesday, all federal, state, county and city offices, including Astoria, Warrenton, Gearhart, Seaside and Cannon Beach city halls, are closed. All U.S. post offices are closed, and there is no mail delivery.

Astoria, Jewell, Knappa, Warrenton/Hammond and Seaside (including Cannon Beach and Gearhart) school district schools are closed for winter break. Clatsop Community College is closed Wednesday; the campus is open, but there are no classes, on Thursday and Friday.

The Astoria Library, Seaside Public Library and Warrenton Community Library are closed.

The Port of Astoria offices and services are closed.

Garbage collection through Recology Western Oregon and the city of Warrenton garbage collection are not affected by the holiday. Recology Western Oregon’s transfer station is closed Wednesday.

The Sunset Pool in Seaside closes a 1 p.m. Tuesday, and is closed Wednesday. The Astoria Aquatic Center is closed Wednesday.

The Clatsop County Heritage Museum, Oregon Film Museum, Flavel House Museum and Carriage House are closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The Uppertown Firefighters’ Museum is closed for the winter.

Fort Clatsop is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Columbia River Maritime Museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunset Empire Transportation (“The Bus”) is not running on Wednesday.

— The Astorian