Veteran's death after surgery sparks legal battle for justice

The family of 70-year-old William Bryan from Alabama, who died last month, accuses the doctor of removing the wrong organ during surgery in Florida. Bryan, a war veteran and father of three children, was married to Beverly for 33 years.

As reported by "The Guardian," instead of the spleen, Dr. Thomas Shaknowsky removed Bryan's liver, which led to his immediate blood loss.

During a holiday, Bryan suddenly felt pain in his left side. A spleen abnormality was diagnosed based on examinations at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital.

Contrary to their initial fears, the couple agreed to the operation after being persuaded by doctors about the possible serious complications without surgical intervention.

The surgery, which took place on 21 August 2024, ended with the removal of the liver instead of the spleen, resulting in Bryan's death.

According to the family's lawyer, it was only after the patient's death that it was revealed the wrong organ had been removed. Dr. Shaknowsky made a mistaken diagnosis based on the unnatural size and location of the organ, claiming that the "spleen" was four times larger and was located on the opposite side of the body.

Beverly Bryan, seeking justice for her husband, has hired a lawyer and is demanding both criminal and civil proceedings against Dr. Shaknowsky, who had previously conducted surgery on the wrong organ.

The doctor has not yet been charged and has no public complaints against him.

In a statement to the "Miami Herald," Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital said it takes such allegations seriously and is conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. Bryan, a war veteran and father of three children, was married to Beverly for 33 years.