Woman Sues Ohio Hospital After Wrong Leg Was Amputated During Cancer Treatment

A 74-year-old woman from Ohio has filed a lawsuit against a hospital and members of its surgical team after doctors allegedly amputated the wrong leg during an operation intended to treat complications associated with cancer.

Sharon Jacks underwent surgery at Selby General Hospital in Marietta, Ohio, in September 2025. According to her attorney, Brad Layne, surgeons were supposed to remove her lower right leg as part of her treatment for squamous cell carcinoma. Instead, the patient's lower left leg was removed.

The case has raised serious questions about surgical safety procedures, operating room checks and how errors involving the wrong body part can occur despite safeguards designed to prevent them.

Woman Says Wrong Leg Was Removed During Surgery

According to statements from Jacks' attorney, the surgery was intended to remove her right leg. However, she reportedly woke from the procedure to discover that her left leg had been amputated.

Layne told media outlets that the correct leg had reportedly been marked before surgery. He also said that the mark was still visible on the intended leg after the wrong leg had been removed.

"She went into surgery and, when she woke up, the wrong leg had been taken off," Layne said in comments reported by WBNS 10TV.

The attorney has alleged that multiple medical professionals failed to prevent the error. He said medical records indicated that verification procedures were carried out during the operation, but the wrong leg was nevertheless removed.

The lawsuit claims that Jacks suffered significant physical and emotional consequences as a result of the incident.

Second Amputation Left Patient as a Double Amputee

The situation did not end with the initial surgical error.

According to Jacks' attorney, the leg that surgeons had originally intended to remove was amputated approximately four months after the first operation. As a result, Jacks became a double amputee.

Her legal team says she is now facing permanent disability, additional medical treatment and substantial changes to her daily life.

The lawsuit reportedly seeks compensatory and punitive damages. It alleges that Jacks experienced physical injuries, medical expenses, emotional distress and humiliation following the incident.

The claims remain part of an ongoing legal case, and a lawsuit itself does not establish that every allegation has been proven in court.

Hospital Acknowledges Operating Room Procedures Were Not Followed

Selby General Hospital, which is part of Memorial Health System, has acknowledged that the incident should not have happened.

In a statement reported by WBNS 10TV, the hospital said its review found that established operating room procedures were not followed.

"Our proactive review of what took place confirmed this was an avoidable event and that our expected operating room procedures were not followed," the hospital said.

The health system also stated that those involved were held accountable and were no longer in their positions.

According to the hospital, additional corrective measures have been introduced. These reportedly include mandatory retraining for surgical employees, with the stated goal of reinforcing patient safety policies and reducing the possibility of a similar incident happening again.

The hospital's statement provides an important distinction in the case. While the patient's lawsuit alleges failures by the surgical team, the hospital itself has said its expected procedures were not followed.

What Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in squamous cells, which are found in the outer layers of the skin. It is one of the most common forms of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Treatment can vary depending on the location, size and stage of the cancer. Surgery is among the treatments that may be used in certain circumstances.

In Jacks' case, her attorney said the planned right-leg amputation was connected to her treatment for squamous cell carcinoma. The legal dispute centers on the allegation that the opposite leg was removed during the operation.

Medical decisions and treatment plans differ from patient to patient, so information about one person's cancer treatment should not be interpreted as guidance for another patient.

Lawsuit Raises Questions About Surgical Safety

Wrong-site surgery is considered a serious patient safety concern because it can involve operating on the wrong patient, the wrong body part or the wrong side of the body.

Hospitals use a variety of safeguards to reduce these risks. These can include reviewing the patient's medical records, confirming the planned procedure, identifying and marking the correct surgical site, and conducting verification checks before surgery begins.

Jacks' attorney has questioned how the operation could have proceeded despite such checks allegedly taking place.

He said records indicated that verification occurred twice, while the surgical outcome showed that the wrong leg had been removed.

The lawsuit therefore focuses not only on the physical consequences for Jacks but also on the processes that were supposed to prevent the error.

Legal Case Continues

Jacks is suing Selby General Hospital as well as members of the surgical team involved in her treatment.

Her attorney has said the lawsuit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages generally seek to address losses or harm suffered by a plaintiff, while punitive damages may be sought in certain cases involving alleged particularly serious misconduct.

The final outcome will depend on the evidence presented during the legal process and any decisions reached by the court.

At this stage, the allegations made in the lawsuit should be distinguished from facts that have been established through a final court ruling.

The hospital's public statement indicates that its internal review identified failures in operating room procedures and that disciplinary and corrective steps were taken. However, questions concerning legal responsibility and the amount of any potential damages remain matters for the courts.

A Case With Lasting Consequences

For Jacks, the consequences of the incident extend far beyond the courtroom.

According to her attorney, she must now live with the consequences of losing both legs. The lawsuit alleges that the additional amputation, medical treatment and permanent disability have profoundly affected her life.

The case also highlights the importance of safeguards designed to prevent wrong-site surgery. Even when hospitals have procedures intended to confirm the correct patient, procedure and surgical site, failures in those processes can have permanent consequences.

As the lawsuit progresses, further evidence may clarify what happened inside the operating room, how the error occurred and which individuals or organizations may ultimately be held legally responsible.

For now, the case remains an ongoing legal dispute. Jacks' allegations, the hospital's statements and any future court findings should be considered separately as the legal process continues.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes and is based on publicly reported statements and allegations available at the time of writing. Allegations contained in a lawsuit are not necessarily proven facts. This article does not provide legal, medical or professional advice. Readers should consult qualified professionals for advice relating to individual medical or legal circumstances.