A former surgeon from Florida has been indicted by a grand jury following allegations that he mistakenly removed a man’s liver instead of his spleen during surgery, leading to the patient’s death.
The State Attorney’s Office for the First Judicial Circuit in Florida revealed on Monday that Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky faces charges of second-degree manslaughter. This comes after he allegedly performed the incorrect procedure on 70-year-old Bill Bryan from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, in 2024 at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital located in Miramar Beach, Florida.
According to the prosecution, the operation was intended to be a laparoscopic splenectomy, a minimally invasive method to remove the spleen. However, the accidental removal of Bryan’s liver resulted in severe blood loss, ultimately causing his death on the operating table.
The grand jury in Walton County determined that the surgeon’s actions during the procedure amounted to criminal conduct as defined by Florida law. Dr. Shaknovsky is currently held in Walton County, Florida, following this indictment.
“Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor,” stated Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson in a news release. “The Grand Jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are processed through the proper legal channels. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family during this time of unimaginable loss.”
“Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor,” Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said in a news release. “The Grand Jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are carried out through the proper legal process. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and their unspeakable loss.”
Adkinson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Available court records did not list an attorney for Shaknovsky. It is unclear whether he has retained legal representation.
Bill Bryan’s, left, liver was allegedly removed instead of his spleen, leading to his death. (Zarzaur Law Firm)
Following Bryan’s death in 2024, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners filed a court order to suspend Shaknovsky’s medical license, which was granted that same year. His Florida medical license was also suspended in 2024, followed by his New York license in 2025.
The Florida court order to suspend Shaknovsky’s license revealed he had previously made similar mistakes and lied to cover them up. In May 2023, he removed a portion of a patient’s pancreas instead of the adrenal gland. When the surgeon was approached about the mistake, he claimed the adrenal gland had “migrated” to a different part of the body.
Fox News Digital previously reported the patient in that case suffered “long-term, permanent harm.”
A surgeon has been charged with second-degree manslaughter by a grand jury after allegedly removing a patient’s liver instead of his spleen. (iStock)
“Dr. Shaknovsky’s repeated egregious surgical errors resulted in significant patient harm coupled with his failure to take responsibility for these errors indicates that his reckless conduct is likely to continue,” the order said. “Therefore, Dr. Shaknovsky’s continued practice as an osteopathic physician presents an immediate, serious danger to the health, welfare, and safety of the public.”
Shaknovsky is being held at the Walton County Jail and is awaiting his first court appearance. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison, according to the State Attorney’s Office.
