Florida Surgeon Thomas Shaknovsky Charged After Second Patient Death in Operating Room
Florida surgeon Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky was charged with manslaughter after 70-year-old William Bryan died when his liver was removed instead of his spleen in August 2024. Court records show this is the second patient death under Shaknovsky's care within a year.
Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a Florida surgeon, now faces manslaughter charges after a fatal surgical error killed 70-year-old William Bryan. The surgery took place at Ascension Sacred Heart of the Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida, in August 2024.
Bryan died after Shaknovsky removed his liver instead of his spleen during what should have been a routine operation. The Walton County Sheriff's Office announced the charges on Monday, April 13.
Court records reveal this was not Shaknovsky's first alleged operating room mishap. Another patient died under his care a year before Bryan's death, though details about that earlier case remain unclear.
Bryan's widow Beverly has hired a lawyer to pursue both criminal and civil cases against the surgeon. "My husband died while helpless on the operating room table by Dr. Shaknovsky," she said in a previous statement. The family has been vocal about wanting justice for Bryan's death.
The case raises serious questions about surgical oversight and how hospitals monitor doctors with previous patient deaths.
This case highlights serious concerns about surgical safety and oversight in hospitals. When surgeons make fatal mistakes and face criminal charges, it shows how medical errors can lead to both personal tragedy and legal consequences for doctors.
Criminal proceedings will continue against Shaknovsky. The family's civil lawsuit will also move forward seeking damages.
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