The widow of an Alabama man claims her husband died after a surgeon at a Florida hospital mistakenly removed his liver instead of his spleen, leading to fatal blood loss during surgery.

WAFF News in Hunstville reports that William Bryan died after having surgery at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital on the Florida Gulf. Coast. 

William and his wife, Beverly Bryan, were visiting their rental property in Destin, Florida, last month when William began experiencing pain in his left side. They went to the hospital, where doctors recommended surgery for his spleen.

Beverly was reportedly hesitant about proceeding with the procedure in Florida, preferring to take her husband back home to Alabama. However, hospital staff warned that leaving could lead to complications, so they decided to proceed with the surgery.

According to the family’s attorney, Joe Zarzaur, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky removed William’s liver instead of his spleen, causing him to bleed out and die on the operating table.

Zarzaur said that Dr. Shaknovsky has a history of wrong-site surgeries and that the family is pursuing claims against the doctors, nurses, and the hospital.

The hospital has reportedly launched an investigation into the incident.