A former high school lacrosse player is seeking $25 million in damages from several Virginia hospitals, medical groups, and individual healthcare providers, alleging that negligent medical care following a sports injury resulted in permanent joint damage and lifelong disability. The complaint was filed by Ryan W. Trent on April 20, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Norfolk Division), naming Chippenham & Johnston-Willis Hospitals, Inc., Sentara Hospitals, various physicians and physician assistants, and related entities as defendants.
According to the court filing, Ryan Trent was a senior at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach when he suffered a spinal cord injury during a lacrosse game on May 15, 2023. After being transported to Chippenham Johnston-Willis Hospital in Richmond, Trent was diagnosed with a “spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormalities” (SCIWORA). The lawsuit alleges that Defendant Dr. Rajesh V. Mehta prescribed Dexamethasone/Decadron—a potent corticosteroid—despite guidelines from leading neurosurgical organizations advising against its use for acute spinal cord injuries.
The complaint states: “This is a civil action for damages arising out of negligent medical care and treatment rendered to Plaintiff Ryan Trent in May 2023 in Virginia, including the initiation and continuation of systemic corticosteroid therapy (Dexamethasone/Decadron) that was not medically indicated.” It further claims that neither Trent nor his parents were informed about the risks or lack of benefits associated with steroid use for this condition: “They were not informed that the most up-to-date medical literature published by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons recommended that steroids not be used in patients with acute spinal cord injury.”
After initial treatment at Chippenham Johnston-Willis Hospital, Trent was transferred to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where other named defendants continued or increased his steroid regimen. The lawsuit outlines how various providers allegedly failed to obtain proper informed consent before administering or continuing high doses of Dexamethasone/Decadron. It cites numerous studies and guidelines indicating no proven benefit—and significant risk—for such steroid use in acute spinal cord injuries.
The complaint details specific dosages prescribed over several days which it characterizes as excessive: “On May 20, 2023… ordered high doses of Dexamethasone/Decadron be taken by Ryan Trent over at least the next 12 days… There was no medical evidence that steroids are of any benefit in his clinical condition.” According to the filing, these actions led directly to avascular necrosis—a condition causing bone tissue death due to loss of blood supply—in both hips, both knees, and one shoulder. As a result, Trent has undergone multiple joint replacement surgeries.
Trent’s attorneys argue that these outcomes were preventable had proper standards been followed: “But for the negligence and violations of the standard of care described herein, Ryan Trent would not have suffered permanent, painful, severe, and crippling injuries.” The suit alleges causes of action including medical negligence/malpractice (“They violated the first rule of medicine: ‘First, thou shall do no harm’”), lack of informed consent (“Defendants failed to obtain informed consent for systemic corticosteroid therapy”), and willful or wanton conduct justifying punitive damages.
The plaintiff seeks judgment against all named defendants jointly and severally for $25 million plus interest and costs. He also requests any other relief deemed appropriate by law or equity. A jury trial is demanded.
Ryan W. Trent is represented by attorney James B. Feinman (VSB #28125), whose office is located at P.O. Box 697, Lynchburg VA 24505. The case is identified as Case No. 2:26-cv-00386.
