WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Florida doctor has been indicted for second-degree manslaughter after allegedly removing a patient’s liver instead of his spleen, leading to a fatal surgical error.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday that Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky has been charged with second-degree manslaughter following a surgery that occurred on August 21, 2024.
The report states that during a procedure meant to remove the spleen of a 70-year-old man from Alabama, Dr. Shaknovsky allegedly removed the patient’s liver, leading to severe blood loss and the man’s death on the operating table.
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The Sheriff’s Office reported that the indictment was announced by the Office of the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit after a thorough investigation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, alongside state and medical authorities. The Grand Jury concluded that Dr. Shaknovsky’s actions constituted criminal conduct under Florida law.
Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson emphasized the importance of following the facts of the case. “The Grand Jury has spoken, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the charges are pursued through the proper legal process,” he stated.
Dr. Shaknovsky was arrested on Monday morning in Miramar Beach and is currently being held at the Walton County Jail, awaiting his first court appearance.
