(NewsNation) — A doctor in Florida was charged with manslaughter after being accused of causing a patient’s death by removing the wrong organ during surgery.
In 2024, Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky removed William Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen during a scheduled laparoscopic splenectomy. The mishap led to Bryan losing loads of blood and dying on the operating table, according to authorities.
Bryan’s family law firm said he and his wife were visiting their rental property in Florida when Bryan suddenly began experiencing left-sided flank pain. The firm added the couple went to the hospital, which led to Bryan being admitted for further studies over concerns for an abnormality of the spleen.
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“Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor,” said Walton County, Florida, Sheriff Michael Adkinson.
“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.”
The state of Florida suspended Shaknovsky’s license a month after Bryan’s death, and due to another incident one year earlier in which Shaknovsky removed a portion of a different patient’s pancreas instead of the adrenal gland and purportedly claimed the adrenal gland had “migrated” to a different part of the body.
The Florida Department of Health lists Shaknovsky’s current status as “retired” regarding his medical license.
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