A 74-year-old woman from Ohio was left without both legs after doctors amputated the wrong limb

Sharon Jacks, a 74-year-old former service member from Ohio, was left without both legs after doctors initially amputated her healthy limb. The woman was supposed to undergo an amputation of the lower part of her right leg, which was affected by a form of skin cancer, but the procedure at Selby General Hospital was performed on her left leg.

The medical team reportedly carried out the preoperative checks twice, but the error was not noticed. The hospital later acknowledged that the incident could have been avoided and that safety procedures had not been followed. The people involved were sanctioned and no longer hold the positions they occupied.

Four months later, Sharon Jacks underwent surgery at another medical facility, where her right leg—the one affected by cancer—was also amputated. The woman says she was left with a permanent disability, pain, emotional suffering and additional medical expenses.

At the beginning of September 2026, Sharon Jacks and her husband sued Selby General Hospital and members of the medical staff. They accuse the hospital of gross negligence and reckless conduct and are seeking damages.