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Wrong Leg Amputated: Patient Sues Hospital
25 Aug
Summary
- Patient claims hospital staff removed his left leg instead of the intended right leg.
- Lawsuit alleges medical team failed to identify the correct limb before surgery.
- Hospital reportedly admitted procedural errors in patient consent and preparation.
A man is suing the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority for negligence, alleging that staff at Grace Hospital mistakenly removed his left leg instead of his right. The patient was admitted to Seven Oaks Hospital in October 2024 for pain and infection in his right foot, with an amputation below the knee planned for that limb.
He was subsequently transferred to Grace Hospital for consultation and potential surgery. However, upon waking from anesthesia on October 31, 2024, he discovered his left leg had been amputated. The lawsuit contends that all referral documentation and imaging clearly identified the right foot as the problem limb.
The statement of claim further alleges that the amputation occurred without his full knowledge, with any consent obtained after sedation and despite his expressed reservations. The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority acknowledged in November 2024 that processes for surgical preparation and consent did not follow standard procedures.
The operating surgeon is accused of not reviewing referral documentation or performing a physical check, and of relying on misoriented imaging, constituting battery. Another doctor is cited for failing to exercise reasonable care in managing the referral and ensuring accurate diagnosis communication. The patient reports suffering phantom limb pain, PTSD, and depression, and faces increased risk for his remaining leg.
