Portland, Oregon — A Portland nail salon is facing a new $2.5 million lawsuit after a 31-year-old woman alleged she contracted a herpes infection following an acrylic manicure appointment. The lawsuit claims she is the second customer in two years to report contracting the virus after visiting PDX Nails.
The allegations have drawn attention to salon hygiene practices and state oversight after another customer previously filed a lawsuit involving an alleged infection at the same business.
According to a report by The Oregonian, the latest lawsuit was filed on a Monday and names the nail salon, the Oregon Health Authority and the Health Licensing Office as defendants.
Woman Reports Painful Blisters After Nail Appointment
The woman, identified as J.S. in court documents, claims she developed symptoms shortly after visiting PDX Nails in Portland last year.
According to the lawsuit, the nail technician did not wear gloves while performing her acrylic manicure. The appointment also included a hand massage using lotion or oil.
J.S. reportedly began experiencing an unusual burning and stinging sensation on the side of her hand and pinky the following day.
By the next day, an itchy, fluid-filled blister had appeared. The blister reportedly remained for several days, prompting her to seek opinions from people around her about what might have caused the symptoms.
J.S. told that she began showing her hand to others and asking whether they knew what was happening.
Some people reportedly asked where she had received her manicure. When she identified PDX Nails, they told her the salon had already been involved in a lawsuit.
Previous Customer Also Filed a Lawsuit Against PDX Nails
The latest allegations come after another customer reportedly reached a settlement with the salon over a similar claim. The earlier customer, identified as S.R. in court documents, alleged that she contracted the infection after visiting PDX Nails in 2023.
S.R. filed a $1.75 million lawsuit in 2024. The case was settled in July 2025 for an undisclosed amount.
The settlement did not publicly establish the allegations as proven facts. However, the earlier case has become an important part of the background to the new lawsuit.
J.S. alleges that she was unaware of the previous case before her appointment and claims she had no prior exposure to the infection.
Her lawsuit argues that the earlier incident should have prompted stronger action to prevent another customer from experiencing a similar situation.
New Lawsuit Seeks $2.5 Million in Damages
J.S. is seeking $2.5 million in damages from the defendants named in the lawsuit.
In addition to PDX Nails, the complaint names the Oregon Health Authority and the Health Licensing Office. The lawsuit accuses state officials of incompetence and alleges they failed to take sufficient action after the earlier customer’s case.
According to the allegations, regulators should have considered suspending or revoking the salon’s cosmetology license or taking other steps that could have prevented the second alleged infection.
These claims against state officials remain allegations in the lawsuit. The court will have to consider the evidence and arguments presented by the parties.
Salon Previously Received Fines Over Sanitation Violations
The lawsuit also points to earlier sanitation issues involving one of PDX Nails’ two Portland locations.
The salon was fined by Oregon’s Health Licensing Office and Board of Cosmetology in 2021. One fine of $500 was issued for failing to disinfect used tools that came into direct contact with customers.
An inspector also reportedly found used drilling bits on a workstation. The salon received another $500 fine for failing to properly clean foot spa equipment. However, state officials confirmed that the salon had not received additional violations or fines since 2021.
The earlier sanitation violations and the current infection allegations are separate matters, and the available information does not establish that the 2021 violations caused either customer’s reported infection.
Woman Says Recurring Outbreaks Have Affected Her Life
J.S. claims she has continued experiencing outbreaks despite taking antiviral medication intended to reduce the frequency of symptoms.
Her lawsuit describes the personal impact of living with an infection that currently has no cure. She also spoke about her concerns as a mother, saying she worries about potentially transmitting the virus to another person through physical contact.
J.S. told that she has worn gloves while changing her baby’s diaper because she fears accidentally exposing someone else.
“It’s quite embarrassing,” she said while describing the experience of initially visiting the salon simply to get her nails done.
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She also expressed concern about the possibility of affecting another person’s life through transmission.
What Happens Next in the Oregon Nail Salon Case?
The new lawsuit raises questions about salon sanitation procedures, infection prevention and the responsibilities of state licensing authorities.
However, the allegations have not yet been established in court. The reported settlement in the earlier case also does not independently prove the claims made in the latest lawsuit.
The case is expected to focus on the circumstances surrounding J.S.’s manicure, the alleged infection, the salon’s hygiene practices and whether state officials should have taken additional action following the earlier complaint.
For now, the $2.5 million lawsuit places PDX Nails and Oregon’s regulatory oversight under renewed scrutiny.
Do you think nail salons should face stricter sanitation inspections to protect customers? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
