Industry News | 02.11.25
Widow Sues Surgeon, Hospital for Allegedly Removing Husband's Liver, Covering Up Mistake
By NAMSS Staff
The Pensacola News Journal (01/30/25) Barrows, Mollye
William Bryan was a 70-year-old Alabama man who died on the operating table at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast after Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky removed Bryan’s liver rather than his spleen allegedly by mistake. Now, his widow has filed a civil medical malpractice lawsuit against the surgeon, the hospital, and four nurses, among others. Beverly Bryan and her lawyer, Joe Zarzaur, charge that numerous issues led to Shaknovsky’s deadly mistake, including: that he was permitted to continue practicing as a surgeon despite a history of surgical errors; that hospital staffers conspired to "cover-up" what happened; that official records were falsified regarding Bryan’s cause of death; and, finally, that Beverly Bryan was convinced not to have his body autopsied. As of press time, Ascension Sacred Heart had refused comment citing hospital policy not to discuss active litigation.
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