A 74-year-old Ohio woman is suing a hospital after a surgeon allegedly amputated the wrong leg. Sharon Jacks, from Marietta, Ohio, had been scheduled for a below-the-knee amputation of her right leg due to cancer, but woke up to find her left leg missing, according to a legal complaint filed against Shelby General Hospital.
Double Amputee After Botched Procedure
Ms Jacks is now a double amputee because her cancerous right leg still required removal after the apparent error on September 19, 2025. Her attorney, Brad Layne, told WBNS 10TV that his client went into surgery and "when she woke up, the wrong leg had been taken off."
"It defies explanation, obviously," he added. The lawsuit names the hospital, the surgeon, and the surgical team, accusing them of "a complete failure of basic safety procedures," according to WBNS 10TV.
Hospital Confirms Avoidable Event
Mr Layne said there was "simply no excuse" for what happened. The removal of the wrong limb during surgery is known as a "never event" because it is so rare. Reports indicate Ms Jacks' correct leg was properly marked for surgery, and the mark remained even after the incorrect limb was removed.
"Despite several opportunities to identify the mistake and stop the procedure, the surgical team somehow never noticed they were operating on the wrong leg," Mr Layne said. "Now every day for the rest of her life, Sharon Jacks must live with the consequences of those failures."
In a statement, Shelby General Hospital confirmed there had been an "adverse surgical event" and that the surgical team "responded immediately to address the medical needs of the patient involved and provide support to their family." The hospital told WBNS: "Our proactive review of what took place confirmed this was an avoidable event, and that our expected operating room procedures were not followed. Those involved were held accountable for their actions and are no longer in their positions."
The hospital added: "We are saddened by what occurred, and our team continues to keep this patient and their family in our prayers."
