Florida Surgeon Charged with Manslaughter in Wrong Organ Surgery Case

A shocking case of alleged medical negligence has emerged from Florida, where a surgeon has been charged with manslaughter after reportedly removing the wrong organ during a surgical procedure, leading to a patient’s death. Dr Thomas Shaknovsky has been indicted by a grand jury on charges of second-degree manslaughter following the incident, which has raised serious concerns about patient safety and medical oversight.

The case stems from a 2024 surgery conducted at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital, where a 70-year-old patient had been admitted for a laparoscopic procedure intended to remove the spleen. However, according to prosecutors, the surgery went disastrously wrong when the patient’s liver was allegedly removed instead, resulting in severe blood loss and death on the operating table.

Investigators stated that the grand jury found sufficient grounds to believe the actions inside the operating room amounted to criminal conduct under state law. Authorities have emphasised that the error was not a minor complication but a fatal mistake with direct consequences for the patient.

Following the incident, medical licensing bodies in multiple states took disciplinary action against the surgeon. His licence was first suspended in Alabama in 2024, followed by similar action in Florida later that year and in New York in 2025. Officials cited concerns over patient safety and a pattern of questionable surgical decisions.

Court documents have also pointed to previous incidents involving the doctor, including a case where he allegedly removed part of a patient’s pancreas instead of the intended organ. Regulators noted that such repeated errors and explanations offered in response raised serious doubts about his professional conduct and accountability.

Law enforcement authorities have stated that the case will proceed through the legal system based on evidence gathered, while also acknowledging the gravity of the loss suffered by the victim’s family. The accused is currently in custody and awaiting his initial court appearance. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 15 years.

The case has sparked wider debate around medical negligence, accountability, and the safeguards needed to prevent such catastrophic errors in surgical practice.