Three Polish Doctors Found Guilty Over Death of Pregnant Woman Who Died of Sepsis
A medical court in Katowice, Poland, has found three doctors guilty of professional misconduct in the death of a 30-year-old pregnant woman, Izabela, who died of septic shock in 2021 after complications in her pregnancy.
The disciplinary ruling, handed down in March 2025, has reignited widespread debate over Poland’s strict abortion laws, which critics say contributed to the medical delay that cost the woman her life.
Izabela was 22 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to a hospital in Pszczyna, southern Poland, after her amniotic sac ruptured. Despite severe complications and a high risk of infection, the medical staff allegedly delayed terminating the pregnancy for fear of violating Poland’s near-total ban on abortion.
The fetus died during the hospital stay, but Izabela soon developed sepsis and died hours later. Her death sparked nationwide protests and international condemnation, with demonstrators marching under the slogan “Ani jednej więcej” — “Not one more.”
The court found that the three doctors on duty failed in their duty of care. One was faulted for not ordering timely diagnostic tests or administering antibiotics that could have helped detect and manage the early stages of sepsis. Another was cited for hesitating to proceed with a necessary termination of the pregnancy despite signs of infection. A third doctor was accused of failing to act decisively when Izabela’s condition rapidly deteriorated and she entered septic shock.
The disciplinary tribunal imposed sanctions on all three: one doctor received a five-year suspension from medical practice, while the other two were suspended for two years each.
The court ruled that their actions—or inactions—constituted professional negligence that contributed to the preventable death of the patient. The doctors, who deny wrongdoing, are expected to appeal the decision.
This ruling comes as a broader legal and political battle continues in Poland, where the abortion law was tightened further in 2020 after a Constitutional Tribunal ruling that effectively banned terminations in cases of fetal defects. Although exceptions still exist if the woman’s life is in danger, many doctors reportedly fear legal consequences for carrying out terminations under unclear or politically charged circumstances.
In addition to the court ruling, the National Health Fund fined the Pszczyna hospital over 650,000 Polish złoty (approximately $160,000), citing serious procedural failings. The country’s Patient Ombudsman also found that Izabela’s rights had been violated and called for urgent reforms in emergency medical protocols, particularly in cases involving sepsis and pregnancy-related complications.
Human rights organizations and women’s health advocates have welcomed the court’s decision but stress that it must be followed by legislative reforms to protect future patients. They argue that the current legal environment in Poland creates a chilling effect in hospitals, where medical professionals may hesitate to act swiftly out of fear of criminal prosecution.
Izabela’s case has become a defining moment in Poland’s ongoing struggle over reproductive rights. Though the court ruling may offer a measure of accountability, it also underscores the dangers women face when ideology and fear override urgent medical decisions. For many in Poland and beyond, the hope remains that this tragic loss leads to systemic change.
