Ohio Woman Sues Hospital After Surgeons Amputate Wrong Leg During Cancer Treatment

Key points

• Sharon Jacks, a 74-year-old Army veteran from Meigs County, Ohio, sued Selby General Hospital in Marietta after her left leg was amputated instead of her right in September 2025.
• The original surgery was intended to treat squamous cell carcinoma on her right leg; she underwent the correct procedure four months later at a different facility, becoming a double amputee.
• The lawsuit, filed in Washington County Court, accuses nine defendants, including Dr. Gregory Krivchenia and hospital staff, of gross negligence, battery, and reckless conduct.
• Selby General Hospital acknowledged the incident as an 'avoidable event' where standard operating room procedures were not followed, stating that the involved personnel are no longer employed there.
• Attorney Brad Layne noted that despite two documented 'surgical time outs' intended to verify the correct site, the team failed to stop the procedure, causing permanent disability and pain for Jacks.

Background

This case highlights the critical importance of 'surgical time outs' in preventing wrong-site operations, a safety protocol emphasized in recent medical malpractice discussions. While unrelated to the specific legal claims here, recent archive coverage of other amputation cases, such as a Florida man’s recovery from flesh-eating bacteria and a Leeds patient’s choice to amputate for pain relief, underscores the profound physical and psychological impacts of limb loss on patients' daily lives and independence.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Times and NBC News report that the hospital acknowledged mistakes and that the involved staff are no longer in their positions. NBC News adds that Jacks is an Army veteran and that the surgeon, Dr. Gregory Krivchenia, is still licensed to practice in Ohio, though a receptionist at his former practice stated he is retired. The Marietta Times provides the most detailed breakdown of the nine defendants, including specific names like Matthew Whitaker and Dr. John Lee, and notes that the hospital cooperated with an Ohio Department of Health review. The Independent focuses on the cancer context, noting the amputation was part of a treatment plan for squamous cell carcinoma. All sources agree on the core facts: the wrong leg was removed, the correct surgery followed later, and the hospital admitted to procedural failures.

Why it matters

This lawsuit underscores the severe consequences of failures in basic surgical safety protocols, specifically 'time outs' designed to prevent wrong-site operations. The case highlights the legal and financial ramifications for hospitals and patients when standard safety checks fail, potentially leading to permanent disability and significant medical expenses. It also raises questions about accountability and licensing for medical professionals involved in such errors.

What to watch

The case will proceed in Washington County Court, where Jacks and her husband seek compensatory and punitive damages. The hospital has already retrained its surgical staff and implemented corrective measures, but the legal battle will determine liability and compensation for the permanent injuries sustained by Jacks.