Sharon Jacks, an Ohio cancer patient, is suing Selby General Hospital after surgeons amputated her left leg instead of her right leg during a below-the-knee amputation procedure in September 2025. She subsequently underwent a second amputation of the intended right leg, leaving her a double amputee. Her attorney has described the incident as a "complete failure of basic safety procedures" with no excuse for the error, emphasising that this represents one of the most serious preventable medical errors in healthcare, known as a "never event."

The lawsuit alleges that despite two mandatory surgical "time-outs" designed to verify the correct patient, procedure and surgical site before incision, the surgical team failed to catch the mistake. Medical records indicate the surgeon had correctly marked the right leg, yet the left leg was still amputated. The hospital has acknowledged the error was "avoidable" and that expected operating room procedures were not followed, with staff members involved no longer in their positions. Jacks is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for medical expenses, pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.