Western Reader
A Florida surgeon is in legal trouble after a tragic error during surgery led to the death of a patient. The incident happened at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach. Dr. Gregory Shaknovsky, a surgeon with a troubled history, mistakenly removed the liver of 70-year-old William Bryan instead of his spleen. This fatal mistake occurred during a procedure intended for a supposed spleen issue, tragically resulting in Bryan’s death on the operating table, leaving his wife, Beverly Bryan, devastated and seeking justice.
William Bryan, who was visiting Florida, was admitted to the hospital due to severe abdominal pain. After tests, doctors diagnosed him with an abnormal spleen and suggested surgery. Despite initial reservations, Bryan and his wife were convinced by Dr. Shaknovsky and the hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Christopher Bacani, that immediate surgery was necessary. Unfortunately, during the operation, Dr. Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver but left the spleen untouched.
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The error was only discovered after Bryan’s death when it was confirmed that his liver had been mistakenly removed.
Beverly Bryan has filed a lawsuit against Dr. Shaknovsky and Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, accusing them of gross negligence and medical malpractice. The lawsuit claims that the hospital and its staff did not take adequate precautions, especially given Dr. Shaknovsky’s history of surgical errors. T
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This was not the first time the surgeon was involved in a serious medical error. In a previous incident in 2023, he reportedly removed part of a patient’s pancreas instead of performing the intended adrenal gland resection, raising concerns about his competency.
The case has garnered attention due to the severity of the mistake and ongoing doubts about Dr. Shaknovsky’s ability to practice medicine. Through her attorney Joe Zarzaur, Beverly Bryan is pursuing both criminal and civil repercussions against the surgeon and the hospital. Zarzaur, a certified civil trial attorney, stressed that the lawsuit aims not only to seek justice for the Bryan family but also to prevent similar tragedies in the future. He said, “My husband died on the operating table due to Dr. Shaknovsky’s incompetence. I don’t want anyone else to suffer the same fate because of his mistakes at a hospital that should have known about or been aware of his previous major surgical errors.”
The lawsuit is expected to raise awareness about medical malpractice and the importance of accountability in healthcare. Dr. Shaknovsky is currently under scrutiny by the hospital and state medical boards, and further legal action may follow based on the outcomes of these investigations. The case underscores the need for more stringent oversight and thorough competency assessments for surgeons, especially those with a history of errors.
As the legal process unfolds, the Bryan family hopes that their pursuit of justice will lead to essential changes in the medical field to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragic losses. The lawsuit is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen what penalties, if any, will be imposed on Dr. Shaknovsky and Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital.
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