Florida Doctor Grave Mistake: Man Dies After Wrong Organ Removed During Emergency Surgery!
A widow from Alabama has shared a heartbreaking story about her husband’s death due to a medical mistake in Florida. Beverly Bryan, whose husband William ‘Bill’ Bryan was 70 years old, says a Florida doctor removed the wrong organ during surgery, leading to his untimely death.
On August 19, Bill and Beverly were at their rental property in Destin, Florida, when Bill began experiencing severe pain in his left side. Concerned, they went to Ascension Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast, where Bill was admitted. Beverly, a retired nurse, recalled that the doctors initially diagnosed a problem with Bill’s spleen and recommended surgery.
Despite Beverly’s attempts to have Bill transported back to their home in Northwest Alabama for the procedure, the doctors at Ascension Sacred Heart insisted that Bill would not survive the trip and needed surgery immediately. Beverly was told that Bill would “bleed to death” if moved.
Tragically, on August 21, the doctor removed Bill’s liver instead of his spleen. Bill died on the operating table. Beverly later learned from a pathologist that a bag labeled “spleen” actually contained Bill’s liver. An autopsy confirmed that Bill’s spleen was intact, but his liver was gone.
Beverly expressed her shock and sorrow, stating, “Everyone knows you can’t live without your liver. It’s about the same thing as if they had pulled out your heart.” She also criticized the medical system, saying, “I didn’t realize it takes so long for a doctor to lose a license. I thought it would be something, you know, as soon as this was known, it would be immediate.”
According to AL.com, the surgeon who operated had been practicing for 14 years and had been involved in a similar wrong-site surgery case within the past two years. Zarzaur and Beverly are now seeking justice for Bill.
Ascension Sacred Heart released a statement on August 30 expressing its condolences and announcing an investigation into the matter. It confirmed that the surgeon has been removed from various medical office websites, including North Walton Doctor’s Hospital, HCA Florida, and Ascension Sacred Heart.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is working with the medical examiner’s office and the State Attorney’s Office to review the case. They have urged the public to be patient, as these investigations are complex and time-consuming. The sheriff’s office emphasized that any updates on criminal charges will come from them.
Meanwhile, Zarzaur is beginning the pre-suit process required before filing a civil lawsuit for medical malpractice. He and Beverly hope that their case will bring attention to the issue and prevent similar tragedies from happening to others.