In 2014, approximately 76 product liability lawsuits had been filed naming Intuitive Surgical, Inc. as a defendant alleging a defective medical device had caused injury to patients. The da Vinci Surgical Robot is used in thousands of hospitals throughout the United States.
Intuitive advertised its robotic surgical device as a wave of the future allowing doctors to perform complex procedures with more efficiency and less harm to the patient. However, the defective medical device lawsuits allege a variety of reasons why the da Vinci Surgical Robot can cause harm to the patient.
Why Are Patients Filing Da Vinci Lawsuits?
Patients and their families have filed lawsuits against Intuitive alleging they have been injured by a da Vinci Surgical Robot. The lawsuits allege the patients are entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, permanent injuries, and other damages. Attorneys representing the patients and their families allege a variety of claims against the manufacturer in the product liability lawsuits including but not limited to:
- The da Vinci Surgical Robot has a design and/or manufacturing defect that causes harm to the patient.
- The company failed to warn patients and physicians of the potential danger.
- The company failed to perform adequate tests prior to offering the medical device for sale.
- The company failed to provide proper training to medical staff, surgeons, and hospitals.
- The company knowingly sold an unsafe and potentially dangerous product.
- The company failed to monitor and report complications and injuries related to the da Vinci Surgical Robot.
- Questionable marketing methods used to promote the da Vinci Surgical Robot.
The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter in July 2013 to Intuitive Surgical, Inc. listing several errors including failure to inform the FDA of faulty equipment and using misleading information.
What Injuries Have Been Reported From Using The Da Vinci Surgical Robot?
Due to a serious defect in the da Vinci Surgical Robot, an electrical current can penetrate a patient’s healthy organs and tissues due to an uninsulated surgical arm. In some cases, the robotic surgical device can cause injury to internal organs without the surgeon even knowing the damage has occurred. Injuries and side effects that have been associated with the use of the da Vinci Surgical Robot include:
- Internal bleeding
- Infections
- Tears or lacerations to internal organs
- Burns to internal organs
- Damage to arteries
- Sepsis
- Nerve damage
- Severe bowel injuries
- Tears and/or burns to the intestines
- Wrongful death
In 2013, Bloomberg News reported that 70 deaths had occurred since 2009 from the use of the da Vinci Surgical Robot. Countless injuries had been reported and are still being reported today. Intuitive continues to deny the allegations contained in the product liability lawsuits; however, it has settled more than one defective medical device lawsuit and took a pretax loss in 2014 of $77 million to resolve product liability claims.
Do You Believe You Have A Defective Medical Device Claim?
The product liability attorneys of The Olinde Firm represent clients in Louisiana and throughout the United States in defective medical device lawsuits. If you or a family member has been injured by a defective medical device, contact our office for a free case evaluation.
We never charge you an attorney fee until and unless we win compensation for your damages and injuries. Call (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to speak with an experienced, knowledgeable staff member.