Hein v. UNMC Physicians et al.

On September 13, 2023, Luka Hein filed a medical malpractice lawsuit in Douglas County, Nebraska, against the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine, and physicians Nahia J. Amoura, Perry Johnson, Stephan Barrientos, and Megan Smith-Sallans. Represented by the Thomas More Society, Hein alleges negligence and lack of informed consent for a double mastectomy performed on her at age 16 on July 26, 2018, as part of “gender-affirming care” after only two doctor visits. The lawsuit claims the defendants rushed her into irreversible surgery without exploring mental health treatment or non-surgical options, causing ongoing health complications from four years of testosterone use.

Hein, who suffered from anxiety, depression, and gender dysphoria due to past trauma, alleges the doctors manipulated her and her parents by implying surgery was necessary to prevent self-harm, invalidating informed consent. Dr. Perry Johnson suggested delaying surgery could cause psychological harm, despite no supporting medical records. The case, demanding a jury trial, seeks damages for medical malpractice and lack of informed consent.