Florida Doctor Indicted After Allegedly Removing Liver Instead Of Spleen
Doctor indicted April 13 over an Aug. 21, 2024 surgery that prosecutors say removed a liver instead of a spleen, killing a 70-year-old man; the case prompted license suspensions and prior-error disclosures.
CBS NewsFlorida doctor indicted after allegedly removing patient's liver instead of spleen in fatal surgery
The GuardianFlorida surgeon indicted after removing liver instead of spleen
Daily CallerDoctor Allegedly Removes Wrong Organ In Fatal Mistake, Faces Manslaughter Charge
ABC NewsDoctor faces manslaughter charge for allegedly removing wrong organ during surgery
Associated PressFlorida doctor faces manslaughter charge for allegedly removing wrong organ during surgery
Overview
A Walton County grand jury indicted Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky on second-degree manslaughter on April 13 for allegedly removing a patient’s liver instead of his spleen during an Aug. 21, 2024, surgery.
The patient, identified in reports as 70-year-old William Bryan of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, suffered catastrophic blood loss and died on the operating table at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast.
The indictment followed an investigation led by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office with support from the First Judicial Circuit state attorney and medical authorities, Sheriff Michael Adkinson said.
Shaknovsky, 44, is held at the Walton County Jail on a $75,000 bond, faces up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, and has had medical licenses suspended or surrendered.
Regulators say Florida suspended his license in September 2024, he surrendered his Alabama license on Nov. 7, 2024, New York suspended a license in 2025, and filings document prior surgical errors in 2023.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this reporting neutrally, focusing on factual details, official actions and court records rather than opinion. They cite prosecutor statements, sheriff remarks, license suspension details and court records, avoid loaded adjectives outside quoted source language, and include both procedural facts and the absence of a defense attorney.