A shocking medical case in Florida has drawn national attention after surgeon Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky admitted during sworn testimony that he “couldn’t tell the difference” between organs during an operation that ended in a patient’s death. The doctor is now facing criminal charges after prosecutors accused him of removing the wrong organ during surgery on 70-year-old William Bryan, who later died.
Florida Surgeon Faces Manslaughter Charge After Patient’s Death
Authorities in Florida have charged Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, 44, with second-degree manslaughter.
The criminal charge comes after investigators reviewed the death of William Bryan, a 70-year-old patient who underwent surgery in August 2024.
According to investigators, a grand jury found probable cause to believe the surgeon’s actions during the procedure may have amounted to criminal conduct under Florida law.
Shaknovsky was later taken into custody and booked into jail.
Doctor Says He ‘Couldn’t Tell the Difference’ During Surgery
During a sworn deposition given in November 2025, Shaknovsky described the surgery as an “incredibly unfortunate event.”
According to testimony, the surgeon admitted he became overwhelmed during the operation.
He reportedly said he “couldn’t tell the difference” between the patient’s organs while attempting to control severe internal bleeding.
Shaknovsky claimed the operating field was filled with blood, making visibility extremely difficult.
He described the scene as trying to find an object at the bottom of an overflowing sink.
Family Claims Surgeon Removed Liver Instead of Spleen
William Bryan’s wife, Beverly Bryan, has filed a lawsuit accusing Shaknovsky of medical malpractice.
According to the lawsuit, the surgeon allegedly removed William’s liver instead of his spleen.
The family claims that mistake directly caused William’s death.
Bryan had reportedly sought treatment while visiting Okaloosa County from Muscle Shoals after suffering severe abdominal pain.
Surgeon Says Patient Began Bleeding Heavily
In his deposition, Shaknovsky said William began bleeding extensively during surgery.
According to his testimony:
- The patient suffered massive blood loss
- Medical staff attempted emergency intervention
- William’s heart reportedly stopped during the procedure
Shaknovsky said he spent nearly 20 minutes trying to save the patient before what he described as the “wrong-site event” occurred.
Medical Records Now Under Investigation
According to court filings, Shaknovsky allegedly instructed a nurse to label the removed liver as a spleen.
He also reportedly described the organ as a spleen in postoperative medical notes.
Later, Shaknovsky claimed he was emotionally devastated and mentally compromised while documenting the surgery.
He reportedly told investigators he was crying and felt he had failed his patient.
Family Accuses Surgeon of Cover-Up
Beverly Bryan’s lawsuit goes beyond medical negligence.
The complaint accuses the surgeon of intentionally omitting references to the liver removal from official records.
Attorneys for the family allege this was done to hide what they describe as gross negligence.
The lawsuit claims medical examiners later found William’s spleen to be nearly normal in size, contradicting Shaknovsky’s explanation that it appeared abnormally enlarged.
Doctor Says Tragedy Haunts Him Daily
During his testimony, Shaknovsky reportedly said the incident continues to affect him deeply.
He stated that he thinks about William Bryan’s death every day.
According to his testimony, after the patient died, he went alone to the hospital library to cry because he did not want hospital staff to see him emotionally broken.
Criminal and Civil Cases Now Moving Forward
Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky now faces both criminal prosecution and a civil medical malpractice lawsuit.
If convicted of second-degree manslaughter, he could face serious prison time under Florida law.
Meanwhile, William Bryan’s family continues seeking accountability for what they believe was a completely preventable death.
The death of William Bryan has become one of the most disturbing medical malpractice cases in recent memory. What began as treatment for abdominal pain allegedly ended with a fatal surgical mistake, criminal charges, and accusations of a cover-up.
As both the criminal case and civil lawsuit move through court, Bryan’s family continues searching for answers while the medical community closely watches a case that could have major implications for patient safety and surgical accountability.
