A Florida surgeon has been taken into custody and charged with second-degree manslaughter following an investigation into a fatal operating room error. The arrest of Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky follows allegations that he removed the wrong organ from a patient who subsequently died during the procedure, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.
The Fatal Error Involving William Bryan
The criminal charges stem from the death of 70-year-old William Bryan at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach. Bryan, a veteran, was undergoing what should have been a routine laparoscopic splenectomy in August 2024. However, investigators determined that Shaknovsky mistakenly removed Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen, leading to immediate and fatal complications on the operating table.
Grand Jury Findings and Legal Actions
Following a review of the evidence, a grand jury found sufficient probable cause to charge the surgeon, classifying the operating room conduct as criminal under Florida law. Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson addressed the development, stating that the responsibility of his office is to ensure the legal process is followed after such an “unspeakable loss” for the victim’s family.
As this case draws national attention, the Lake Erie Times continues to monitor developments regarding medical accountability and patient safety standards that impact communities from the Gulf Coast to Western New York.
A History of Surgical Malpractice
This is not the first time Shaknovsky’s surgical competence has been questioned. Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo previously issued a 21-page emergency order to suspend the doctor’s license, citing him as an “immediate, serious danger to the public health.” The order highlighted a pattern of “egregious surgical errors” and the “fabrication of medical records.”
In a separate incident in May 2023 at the same facility, Shaknovsky reportedly removed a portion of a patient’s pancreas during a procedure intended for the adrenal gland. Records indicate that he attempted to justify the mistake by claiming the organ had “migrated” within the body. That patient survived but suffered life-altering injuries, including organ damage and the loss of several fingers. A settlement of $400,000 was reached in that case, according to Florida Insurance Regulation records.
Current Status and Potential Sentencing
Shaknovsky’s medical career has effectively ended amid these legal proceedings. He voluntarily surrendered his Alabama medical license in November 2024, and his Florida status is currently listed as “retired,” meaning he is no longer authorized to practice medicine in either state.
The former surgeon remains in custody while awaiting his initial court appearance. According to the State Attorney’s Office, a conviction for second-degree manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in state prison. For more updates on regional and national news, stay tuned to our dedicated coverage at the Lake Erie Times.
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