Ohio cancer patient sues after surgeon removes the wrong leg

Cancer patient Sharon Jacks sued Selby General Hospital after a procedure intended to amputate her right leg resulted in the removal of her left leg, making her a double amputee. The lawsuit, filed on Sept. 15, accuses the surgeon, the operating-room staff and the hospital of gross negligence, reckless conduct and corporate negligence. According to her lawyer Brad Layne, the surgeon initially marked the correct leg, yet the team proceeded with the wrong side despite conducting two pre-operative "time-outs" meant to verify patient identity and surgical site.

The complaint lists nine counts and requests both compensatory and punitive damages for medical costs, pain, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. Selby General Hospital confirmed an adverse surgical event, said the incident was avoidable, removed the personnel involved and implemented organization-wide safety reforms, while cooperating with an Ohio Department of Health review.