Three doctors convicted in 2025 for endangering patient life; one also found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Court Ruling in July 2025
The Pszczyna District Court in July 2025 convicted all three doctors on charges of endangering the patient’s life. One was additionally found guilty of unintentional manslaughter. Sentences included one year suspended imprisonment and unconditional imprisonment terms of one year and three months, and one year and six months for the others. All were banned from practicing medicine for several years. The verdict is not yet final; both defense and prosecution have filed appeals.
Background of the Case
Thirty-year-old Izabela was admitted to Pszczyna County Hospital in September 2021 after her waters broke at 22 weeks of pregnancy; fetal developmental defects had previously been identified. She died of septic shock. Her family maintained doctors delayed terminating the pregnancy, contributing to her death. Her death, which left a young daughter motherless, sparked nationwide “Not One More” protests against Poland’s abortion laws.
Charges Against the Doctors
Three doctors overseeing Izabela’s care, charged in November 2023, faced accusations of failing to provide proper diagnostic-therapeutic procedures and verify the treatment plan, leading to fetal demise and subsequently her death. While prosecutors initially accused two of unintentional manslaughter, they ultimately concluded for one doctor a causal link between endangering and the fatal outcome couldn’t be proven. None admitted guilt during the investigation.
Sentences and Penalties
Krzysztof P., acting as deputy head of the gynecology-obstetrics department, was sentenced to one year suspended imprisonment and a 40,000 zł fine; banned from practicing medicine for four years. Michał M., on morning duty in the admission room, received one year and three months unconditional imprisonment and a six-year ban. Andrzej P., on afternoon duty, was sentenced to one year and six months imprisonment and a six-year ban. The court also ordered the anonymized verdict published on the court website and press portals, and fines totaling 32,830 zł to be paid to auxiliary claimants and the state.
Aftermath and Hospital Response
An NFZ control post-death confirmed numerous hospital procedural irregularities, resulting in a nearly 650,000 zł fine. The Patient Rights Ombudsman found patient rights violations and issued recommendations, including new sepsis and emergency protocols. The hospital conducted staff training and expanded safety procedures but initially denied wrongdoing, later suspending the two on-duty doctors. In 2023, the family and the hospital’s insurer reached a confidential settlement.