Florida Surgeon Faces Manslaughter Charges Following Fatal Surgical Error

Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky faces a second-degree manslaughter indictment following the death of a 70-year-old patient during a botched laparoscopic procedure in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. During the August 2024 surgery, which was intended to remove the patient's spleen, the physician mistakenly extracted the patient's liver. This error resulted in severe, uncontrollable hemorrhaging that led to the patient suffering cardiac arrest and dying on the operating table. Investigators claim the surgeon failed to correctly identify the organ before proceeding with the removal.

The incident has brought renewed scrutiny to the doctor’s professional history, which includes multiple prior allegations of medical malpractice. Legal filings indicate that the patient had initially expressed a desire to return home, but was allegedly pressured into the surgery by Shaknovsky despite the risks. Following previous accusations involving the improper removal of a pancreas and intestinal damage in separate cases, the surgeon has faced license suspensions across several states. Shaknovsky is currently being held in custody while he awaits further judicial proceedings regarding the fatal error.