Alabama Family Claims Wrong Organ Removal Caused 70-Year-Old Man’s Death in Florida
The family of William Bryan, a 70-year-old man from Alabama, alleges that his tragic death resulted from a botched surgery in Florida, where a doctor mistakenly removed the wrong organ during a procedure. Bryan’s wife, Beverly, is now seeking justice for her late husband, who passed away during what was supposed to be a routine operation.
According to the law firm representing Beverly Bryan, the couple was visiting their rental property in Okaloosa County when William began experiencing severe left-sided pain. Concerned about a possible issue with his spleen, he was admitted to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Walton County. Initially reluctant to undergo surgery in Florida, the Bryans were reportedly persuaded by the medical staff to proceed, fearing the risk of severe complications if he left the hospital untreated.
Allegations of Medical Malpractice
On August 21, 2024, William Bryan underwent a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy performed by Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky. However, the family’s lawyer claims that the doctor mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen during the operation. The removal of the liver allegedly caused massive blood loss, leading to Bryan’s death on the operating table.
The family’s attorney further alleges that Dr. Shaknovsky incorrectly labeled the removed liver as a spleen, and it wasn’t until after Bryan’s death that the error was discovered. “Typical human anatomy dictates that the liver exists on the opposite side of the abdominal cavity, and it is several times larger than the spleen,” the lawyer’s statement reads.
After the surgery, Dr. Shaknovsky reportedly informed Beverly that her husband’s “spleen” was highly diseased, measuring four times its average size, and had migrated to the opposite side of his body. The family was later informed that Bryan’s spleen, which was initially the focus of concern, remained intact in his body, with only a small cyst present.
Previous Surgical Errors
Adding to the family’s concerns, the lawyer disclosed that Dr. Shaknovsky had previously been involved in a wrong-site surgery in 2023, where he mistakenly removed a portion of a patient’s pancreas instead of the intended adrenal gland. Although that case was reportedly settled confidentially, Dr. Shaknovsky continued to practice as a surgeon.
Beverly Bryan is now calling for both criminal and civil proceedings against Dr. Shaknovsky, stating, “My husband died while helpless on the operating room table. I don’t want anyone else to die due to his incompetence at a hospital that should have known, or knew, he had previously made drastic, life-altering surgical mistakes.”
Hospital and Surgeon Response
As of now, Dr. Shaknovsky has not been criminally charged, and no disciplinary actions or public complaints have been filed against him. The Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital has not commented on the specific details of Bryan’s case but issued a statement expressing their condolences and emphasizing that a thorough investigation is underway.
The hospital stated, “We take allegations like this very seriously, and our leadership team is performing a thorough investigation into this event. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family.”
William Bryan, a boilermaker and U.S. Navy veteran who served in Vietnam leaves behind his wife of 33 years, three children, and eight grandchildren. His family is determined to hold those responsible accountable and prevent future tragedies from occurring at the hands of the same surgeon.