Surgeon in Austria fined for amputating patient's wrong leg

The clinic has investigated the error and is offering additional training.
The clinic has investigated the error and is offering additional training. Copyright THOMAS SAMSON / AFP, FILE
Copyright THOMAS SAMSON / AFP, FILE
By AFP with Euronews
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

A regional court found the 43-year-old surgeon guilty of gross negligence.

ADVERTISEMENT

An Austrian surgeon has been fined €2,700 for accidentally amputating the wrong leg of a patient.

The 43-year-old woman was found guilty of "grossly negligent injury" and pleaded "human error".

The regional court in the northern city of Linz imposed a fine of €2,700, half of which is suspended.

Judges also awarded €5,000 in civil damages to the widow of the patient.

The 82-year-old patient -- who has since died -- had arrived at the Freistadt clinic in May to have his left leg removed, but shortly before the operation, the wrong limb was marked. The mistake was only discovered during a bandage change two days later.

The court in Linz stated on Wednesday that for an operation of such importance "double and triple-checking was necessary".

The clinic had publically apologised and said "the causes and circumstances of this medical error have been analysed in detail".

The surgeon had claimed that the chain of command in the operating theatre was at fault and can appeal the fine. She has since moved to another facility.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Paolo Macchiarini: Disgraced Italian surgeon on trial in Sweden over windpipe transplants

Austria arrests 15 people suspected of smuggling migrants

Austria in lockdown: Hotels set to open just 12 days before Christmas