An Ohio woman is suing after her surgeon allegedly amputated the wrong leg during a procedure to remove her right leg due to cancer. Sharon Jacks, a double amputee, was scheduled to have a below-the-knee amputation of her right leg at Selby General Hospital in Marietta, Ohio, on September 19, 2025. However, she awoke to find her left leg missing, according to her lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges that the surgical team failed to follow basic safety procedures, despite having multiple opportunities to identify the mistake and stop the procedure. The surgeon had initially marked the correct leg, but the wrong leg was still amputated, according to medical records reviewed by Jacks' attorney. The lawsuit notes that the surgical team had conducted two "time-outs" before the procedure, which are intended to verify the patient's identity, the planned operation, and the correct surgical location.
The lawsuit claims that the medical team's failure to follow standard procedures led to a "never event," a term used to describe one of the most serious preventable medical errors. The hospital has confirmed an "adverse surgical event" occurred and has stated that it has fully cooperated with a review by the Ohio Department of Health. The review reportedly found that the hospital's surgical protocols are safe and effective, and that corrective measures have been implemented to prevent a similar incident in the future.
Jacks' lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages to cover previous and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life. The hospital has stated that it is saddened by the incident and is keeping Jacks and her family in its prayers.
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