Da Vinci Surgical Robot Implicated in Malpractice Lawsuits

Since 2003, there have been a number of medical malpractice lawsuits filed against the doctors using the da Vinci robot. 

The da Vinci Surgical Robot is a robotic surgical system that is designed to improve a surgeons range of motion and vision. The device is in several thousand hospitals and an estimated 200,000 surgeries were performed using the device in 2012. It’s intended clinical uses range from hysterectomies, gall bladder removals, gastric bypasses and prostate removals.

While modern medical technologies are intended to improve patient surgical outcomes and risks, they sometimes prove to do the opposite. The criticism of the da Vinci Robot is that there is apparently a steep learning curve for the surgeons that want to use it. The research suggests that surgeons are using the product before they receive adequate training. Since 2003, there have been a number of medical malpractice lawsuits filed against the doctors using the da Vinci robot. More recently, however, cases have been filed against the products manufacturer, Intuitive Surgical.

Some of the lawsuits claim that the da Vinci robot is defective and can cause burns to healthy organs during surgeries because the electrical currents can apparently jump to other parts that are not intended to be operated on. Some of the lawsuits filed are wrongful death, because family members claim that the error resulted in the death of their loved one.

St. Louis Medical Malpractice Lawyers

If you believe that you or someone you love has a medical malpractice or wrongful death case due to surgical error from this device or other kind, contact the St. Louis medical malpractice lawyers at Zevan and Davidson today to schedule a free consultation by calling (314) 588-7200 or filling out our online contact form.

photo credit: Army Medicine