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Florida Doctor Indicted for Manslaughter in 2024 Surgical Death

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Florida Surgeon Indicted for Manslaughter After Allegedly Removing Patient's Liver Instead of Spleen

A Florida surgeon was indicted in March 2025 on a charge of second-degree manslaughter related to the death of a patient during a surgery in August 2024. The doctor has pleaded not guilty. Multiple medical licensing boards have suspended or revoked his licenses.

The Patient and the Indictment

Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, 44, was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of second-degree manslaughter. The charge stems from the death of William Bryan, a 70-year-old man from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Shaknovsky was taken into custody in Miramar Beach, Florida, and transported to the Walton County Jail. The State Attorney's Office for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida is prosecuting the case. He was reportedly working as a Lyft driver at the time of his arrest.

Surgical Procedure and Allegations

The surgery occurred on August 21, 2024, at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast hospital in Miramar Beach.

Alleged Error and Outcome

  • Prosecutors allege that during a scheduled laparoscopic splenectomy (spleen removal), Shaknovsky removed the patient's liver instead of the spleen.
  • The medical examiner listed the cause of death as exsanguination (blood loss) and surgical removal of the liver.
  • According to a court filing, after the surgery Shaknovsky stated the patient died of a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm.
  • An autopsy found no evidence of a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm and noted that the spleen was untouched while the liver was missing.

Surgeon's Account

In a November 2024 deposition, Shaknovsky stated the procedure was complicated by blood in the abdomen and an enlarged colon obstructing his view. He said the patient began bleeding heavily, which led to cardiac arrest.

During efforts to find the source of the bleeding, Shaknovsky stated he removed the liver, mistaking it for the spleen. He instructed a nurse to label the removed organ as a spleen. Shaknovsky stated he was unable to tell the difference between the organs due to being upset and described being "emotionally devastated" by the event.

Prosecution Allegations

A court filing from the state alleges that Shaknovsky continued the operation after the patient went into cardiac arrest. The filing also states Shaknovsky recommended the surgery over two days and continued to pressure the patient on the third day before the patient agreed to the procedure. Prosecutors further allege Shaknovsky was unable to properly identify the organ he removed due to shock and chaos.

Prior Allegations of Malpractice

The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners has accused Shaknovsky of two other instances of alleged malpractice:

  • May 2023: During a surgery intended to remove a patient's left adrenal gland, the board alleges Shaknovsky removed part of the patient's pancreas. Public records from the Florida Department of Health show a malpractice claim regarding this incident was settled for $400,000 in 2024.

  • July 2023: The board alleges Shaknovsky removed part of a patient's intestine during a procedure, causing a gastrointestinal perforation. The patient was moved to the ICU and died shortly after. A lawsuit related to this incident is ongoing.

Licensing Actions

Following the August 2024 surgery, multiple state medical boards took action against Shaknovsky's licenses:

  • Alabama: The Board of Medical Examiners filed a court order to temporarily suspend his license, and the Alabama Medical Licensure Commission subsequently revoked it in 2024.
  • Florida: His medical license was suspended in 2024.
  • New York: His medical license was suspended in 2025.

Legal Responses

  • Shaknovsky has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge.
  • His attorneys declined to comment due to ongoing litigation.
  • Bryan's widow has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Shaknovsky and his former practice.
  • A representative for the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners and the State Attorney's Office did not immediately return requests for comment.

Surgeon's Background

According to public records from the Florida Department of Health, Shaknovsky indicated he has not been asked to resign or had medical staff privileges restricted or revoked within the last 10 years. He graduated from Midwestern University's Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2009.

Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast stated Shaknovsky was not employed by the hospital and has not practiced there since August 2024.