A product liability lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 15 individuals who claim they suffered injuries following robotic surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System. According to the complaint, the maker of the da Vinci surgical robot, Intuitive Surgical, allegedly sold a defective medical device and then provided consumers and the medical community false and misleading information about its safety and effectiveness. If you have suffered serious injuries that you believe to be related to the da Vinci robot or another potentially dangerous medical device, contact our reputable attorneys at AMA Law today. Our legal team has years of experience protecting the rights of consumers allegedly harmed by defective products, and will work diligently to help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF ROBOTIC SURGERY
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on April 29, and included complaints brought by 15 residents of the state who claim that they experienced problems after undergoing surgery with the da Vinci robotic device. The da Vinci Surgical System is a complex robot that has become increasingly popular in recent years for use in various surgical procedures, allowing for a less invasive surgery and reducing recovery time. The medical device is controlled by a surgeon manipulating the robot’s four metal arms with hand and foot controls, and looking at a virtual reality representation of the patient’s internal organs.
DA VINCI ROBOT MAY CAUSE INTERNAL DAMAGE
Each of the 15 patients involved in the product liability lawsuit claim that they suffered major injuries as a result of internal damage occurring during robotic surgery. According to the complaint, the da Vinci robot has been tied to a number of significant complications and injuries affecting patients, including damage to the blood vessels, bowel, ureters, arteries, vaginal cuff, bladder and other nerve injuries. Among the potential problems associated with the da Vinci device is a lack of adequate insulation for the robot’s arms, which may allow unintended electrical currents to pass into the patient’s tissues.
EXPERTS WARN AGAINST ROBOTIC SURGERY FOR HYSTERECTOMY
Use of the da Vinci Surgical System has increased dramatically since the device was introduced in 2000, but serious concerns have been raised in recent years as emerging reports reveal potential side effects linked to the robot, including serious internal injury and even death. Earlier this year, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a report recommending against use of the da Vinci robot for hysterectomy surgery, identifying a lack of evidence showing any benefit over more traditional surgery, despite increased costs and a considerable risk of complications.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS FOR LEGAL HELP
In this latest product liability lawsuit to be filed against Intuitive Surgical, the plaintiffs allege that the manufacturing company over-promoted the medical device to physicians, hospitals and consumers, while downplaying the risk of side effects and failing to provide sufficient training for surgeons using the robotic device. If you have suffered serious side effects related to an allegedly defective medical device, such as the da Vinci Surgical System, consult our qualified lawyers at AMA Law as soon as possible. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries and medical bills, which you can pursue by filing a product liability lawsuit against the product manufacturing company.