Ohio Woman Sues After Wrong Leg Amputation

An Ohio woman has initiated a lawsuit following what she claims was a surgical mistake in which the incorrect leg was amputated. Sharon Jacks, who now faces life as a double amputee, had been scheduled for a below-the-knee amputation of her right leg due to cancer. However, after the procedure at Selby General Hospital in Marietta on September 19, 2025, she discovered that her left leg had been removed instead.

Jacks’ attorney, Brad Layne, expressed disbelief at the situation, stating, “She went into surgery, and when she woke up, the wrong leg had been taken off. It defies explanation.” Afterward, the leg that was supposed to be treated was also amputated, resulting in her losing both legs.

The lawsuit targets the hospital, the surgeon, and other surgical personnel, claiming they displayed a “complete failure of basic safety procedures.” Layne further stated in a press release that “there is simply no excuse” for the error, highlighting a “complete and total failure by multiple medical professionals” that led to this tragic outcome.

“Despite several opportunities to identify the mistake and stop the procedure, the surgical team somehow never noticed they were operating on the wrong leg,” he remarked. “Now every day for the rest of her life, Sharon Jacks must live with the consequences of those failures.”

Medical records reviewed by the attorney supposedly indicate that the surgeon had initially marked the correct leg; however, the incorrect one was still amputated. Layne pointed out that the mark remained on the appropriate leg even after the wrong one was removed.

The complaint also reveals that the medical team conducted two surgical “time-outs” prior to the procedure. These “time-outs” are intended to verify patient identity, the required operation, and confirm the correct surgical site before any incisions are made.

Layne emphasized the responsibility of everyone in the operating room, including the doctor and all involved staff, to ensure proper verification before proceeding. He noted that the records showed this verification happened twice, yet Ms. Jacks is left without a leg that should have remained intact.

Errors regarding surgical procedures are considered among the most serious preventable medical mistakes, often labeled as “never events” within the medical community. Layne commented, “It shouldn’t happen in any type of medicine. It shouldn’t happen anywhere. It shouldn’t even happen in a veterinary setting.”

The lawsuit aims to secure compensatory and punitive damages for Jacks, which would account for her past and future medical expenses, suffering, emotional distress, permanent impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life.

In response to the incident, Selby General Hospital acknowledged that an “adverse surgical event” took place in September 2025. They stated that the surgical team acted promptly to address the patient’s medical needs and support their family afterward.

The hospital confirmed that its review found the occurrence to be avoidable and that standard operating procedures were not adequately followed. They mentioned that those responsible have been held accountable and are no longer part of the surgical team. Additionally, the hospital has cooperated fully with an Ohio Department of Health review, which affirmed that their surgical protocols are indeed “safe and effective.” They claim to have taken corrective measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future and expressed sadness over what transpired, continuing to keep Jacks and her family in their thoughts.