Florida Surgeon Indicted for Manslaughter After Fatal Organ Removal Error
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Apr 14
Florida Surgeon Indicted for Manslaughter After Fatal Organ Removal Error
53 articles · Updated · NBC News · Apr 14
A Florida surgeon has been indicted for second-degree manslaughter after allegedly removing a patient’s liver instead of his spleen during surgery in August 2024.
Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky’s actions reportedly led to catastrophic blood loss and the death of 70-year-old William Bryan at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital.
Shaknovsky’s medical licenses in Florida, Alabama, and New York were suspended following the incident, and he faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
What hospital safety protocols failed, allowing a surgeon to remove a patient's liver instead of his spleen?
Beyond one surgeon, does this case reveal a deeper crisis of accountability in American medicine?
When does a surgeon's fatal mistake cross the line from a tragic accident to a criminal act?
How did a surgeon with a history of 'egregious errors' continue to operate across three different states?
Could criminally charging surgeons for errors make them hesitant to perform high-risk, life-saving operations?
How can patients uncover a surgeon's hidden history of malpractice before undergoing a major procedure?