Da Vinci robotic surgery is marketed as a less-invasive option for routine operations such as hysterectomies, prostate and gallbladder removal, and other common procedures, but a recent Bloomberg article points out the escalating number of injuries and deaths linked to this cutting-edge technology. One case in point is Bronx resident Gilmore McCalla, who filed a da Vinci robot lawsuit after his 24 year-old daughter Kimberly died following robotic surgery.
Kimberly was admitted to Montefiore Medical Center on August 12, 2010 for a straightforward hysterectomy to remove her uterus, as she had been diagnosed with early-stage cancer. Her parents expected her home the next day, but the young woman never came home due to fatal complications during her operation.
Allegations raised in NY da Vinci robot lawsuit
According to the family’s New York medical malpractice lawyers, Kimberly suffered a lacerated iliac artery during her da Vinci robotic surgery, and just eleven days after the procedure, was rushed into emergency surgery, where doctors first discovered this life-threatening problem. The surgeons repaired the artery, but the damage was already done and Kimberly died of small bowel injuries. Gilmore McCalla first filed a products liability lawsuit, claiming the robot’s equipment lacked sufficient insulation. A separate medical malpractice suit was also filed, which held the attending doctors responsible for the woman’s untimely death, since they allegedly failed to react promptly to signs of early complications.
The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology conducted a study in 2011 showing that some forms of insulation failed on the da Vinci robot as much as four times the rate of conventional surgical equipment. Da Vinci robot surgery is utilized in hospitals throughout the nation and just last summer, the prestigious Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reported three cases of artery burns resulting from poor insulation on the robot, all of which were addressed before leading to serious injuries.
FDA receives more adverse event reports
In 2012, the FDA received 115 injury reports and 30 reports of fatalities attributed to robosurgery, which explains why many patients are filing Davinci robot lawsuits. When the agency reviewed adverse event reports since 2009, a steady rise in injuries was evident, as numbers have nearly tripled since the device has gained popularity. In one of the ten recent Davinci robot lawsuits against manufacturer Intuitive Surgical, a Michigan man’s liver and spleen were allegedly punctured during a heart valve operation. In another case involving a California woman named Michelle Zarick, her wound failed to heal after her uterine surgery, causing her intestines to fall down through her vagina. “It didn’t help me one bit, the robot,” commented Zarick, who filed a lawsuit against Intuitive after her hysterectomy. She added, “It forever changed my life for the worse.”
New York medical malpractice lawyers
While touted as the latest advance in technology, da Vinci robotic surgery purportedly results in less pain and blood loss, but countless stories like these highlight the dangers of robosurgery and potentially defective medical devices. In light of the mounting number of patient complaints and failed surgeries, patients are reconsidering the advantages of da Vinci robotic surgery and the inherent risks involved versus traditional minimally-invasive procedures.
If you or someone you love has suffered complications from da Vinci robot surgery, The Sanders Firm can explain your legal rights and chances for obtaining compensation. Call our law offices today to learn more about filing a da Vinci robot lawsuit. The consultation is free and we never collect a fee unless we recover damages on your behalf. Call toll-free: 1.800.FAIR.PLAY.