Portland Nail Salon Faces Another Herpes Lawsuit After Repeat Claim

WHO:

KPTV - A woman sued PDX Nails and Lashes, alleging she contracted herpes after a salon appointment.

KCBY - The plaintiff is a 31-year-old Multnomah County woman. The lawsuit was filed by attorney Amity Girt and names PDX Nails LLC, the Oregon Health Authority, and the Health Licensing Office.

KPTV - PDX Nails said it had no comment when FOX 12 contacted it. The salon has not publicly commented on either lawsuit.

KCBY - The Oregon Health Authority said it could not comment on pending litigation.

KPTV - The salon’s website states: “At PDX Nails & Lashes, we prioritize cleanliness and hygiene. Our salon is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and adheres to strict sanitation protocols to ensure a safe and hygienic environment.”

WHAT:

KPTV - The woman’s lawsuit seeks up to $2.5 million from the salon and an additional $2.5 million from the state of Oregon.

KCBY - The lawsuit seeks $2.5 million in damages and alleges the state put customers at risk by not suspending, revoking, or declining to renew the salon’s license after another infection was reported.

KCBY - The lawsuit alleges a state investigation found that, in 2021, PDX Nails failed to disinfect used tools, including “used drill bits at the workstation,” and failed to properly clean foot-spa equipment.

KPTV - The plaintiff alleges the salon technician worked without gloves; she said she initially liked the manicure, but developed symptoms the next day.

KCBY - Court documents describe acrylic nails, use of a drill bit and other implements, and a hand massage with lotion or oil. The lawsuit alleges the woman did not have herpes before the appointment.

KPTV - The woman says a doctor confirmed HSV-2, commonly known as genital herpes. The lawsuit says medication can manage symptoms but there is no known cure.

KCBY - A doctor collected samples 11 days after the procedure and said the infection was believed to be HSV-2; a follow-up test in September 2025 confirmed herpes. She was warned of possible further blisters and must monitor outbreaks.

KCBY - Girt also sued the salon in 2024 for nearly $2 million over a similar claim. That case involved another woman diagnosed with the same herpes strain after a 2023 manicure and was dismissed in 2025 following a confidential settlement, according to court records.

WHERE:

KPTV - The salon is PDX Nails and Lashes at 11946 Northeast Glisan Street in Portland, Oregon.

KCBY - The new suit was filed in Multnomah County Court; the salon is on Northeast Glisan Street.

WHEN:

KPTV - The plaintiff visited the salon in August of last year; a doctor told her one month later that she had herpes.

KCBY - The woman’s appointment was in August of 2025. Burning and stinging began the following day, and an itchy, fluid-filled blister appeared a day later.

KCBY - The earlier customer’s appointment was in 2023; her case was settled and dismissed in 2025.

WHY:

KPTV - The plaintiff seeks damages from Oregon, alleging the state should have investigated the earlier claim and acted to prevent another infection.

KCBY - The suit alleges the state failed to take licensing action after the 2023 infection report.

HOW:

KPTV - The plaintiff says burning and stinging along her right pinky finger began the day after the appointment, followed by a painful, itchy blister; symptoms have periodically flared since.

KCBY - The lawsuit was filed on Monday, alleging the salon employee did not wear gloves during the acrylic-nail treatment.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 23:30 UTC)

A 31-year-old Multnomah County woman is suing a Portland nail salon and Oregon, alleging she contracted herpes after a manicure. The lawsuit, filed in Multnomah County Court, seeks up to $2.5 million from the salon and another $2.5 million from the state. The woman says she received acrylic nails at PDX Nails and Lashes in August 2025, and the technician did not wear gloves. Burning and stinging began the next day, followed by a painful, itchy blister. A doctor suspected HSV-2, and a follow-up test confirmed herpes; she says symptoms have flared periodically. The suit alleges a state investigation found the salon failed to disinfect tools and properly clean foot-spa equipment. It also claims Oregon failed to take licensing action after an earlier infection report. The salon has not publicly commented, and the state says it cannot discuss pending litigation.