Da Vinci Robotic Arm Attorneys in Jacksonville

Robotic surgery has been widely marketed by hospitals and surgeons as the latest in cutting edge technology. In 2000, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the da Vinci Surgical System for pediatric and adult use for a number of complicated procedures, including general laparoscopic surgery, as well as urologic, gynecologic, and other procedures. Not all da Vinci robotic procedures, however, are effective and not all surgeons who use the new technology are trained and experienced enough to use it properly.

If you believe you or a loved one is the victim of a medical error involving the da Vinci robot, do not hesitate to contact the experienced legal team at Farah & Farah. You may be entitled to receive significant compensation.

How Does Robotic Surgery Work?

Robotic surgery is a method by which surgeons operate on patients using miniaturized surgical instruments that fit through a series of small incisions. The instruments are mounted on three separate robotic arms, which is said to allow surgeons to be more precise. The da Vinci robot’s fourth arm contains a high-definition 3-D camera that guides the surgeon during the procedure. The surgeon controls these instruments and the camera from a console located in the operating room. Over the years, the da Vinci system has been used for an ever-broadening variety of surgeries, including hysterectomies, hernia repair, mitral valve repair and cardiac tissue ablation.

Criticism of Robotic Surgeries

There is very little evidence that robotic surgeries are more effective and safer than surgeries performed by hand. On the contrary, procedures performed with a robot can be much more dangerous if the operator has not been properly trained. These complicated devices are difficult to use and many professionals require many hours of practice before becoming proficient. Furthermore, there may be defects in the design of the device.

Defective Devices

There is an expected level of danger associated with any surgical procedure. This reasonable and expected threat of danger does not, however, exclude the da Vinci Robotic Arm from scrutiny. When someone has suffered harm during a surgical procedure performed with a da Vinci robotic system, it is necessary to determine what went wrong and how it could have been prevented. Many believe that these devices are defective, and there are a number of investigations underway to determine if they should be pulled from the market.

One possible defect that has resulted in harm to patients is un-insulated wiring. There have been cases of patients suffering burn injuries because of the lack of insulation. In May 2013, the company that makes the device even published an urgent medical device warning stating that the devices are capable of causing internal tissue burns. Even when these devices don’t cause burn injuries, they can prove extremely dangerous if used by an inexperienced operator.

A Growing Concern

Intuitive Surgical said the da Vinci Surgical System would make operations easier for surgeons, would reduce complications and pain, and would shorten the amount of time the patient would need to be under anesthesia. The FDA, however, announced that there was a 34 percent increase in adverse event reports involving the dangerous devices from the year 2011 to 2012. Further, Intuitive Surgical received warning letters from the FDA for failing to report damaged parts and for promoting the device for procedures, which the FDA did not approve.

Let Our Jacksonville Da Vinci Robotic Arm Attorneys Help You

There have been, and will continue to be, a number of complaints, warnings and lawsuits as patients continue to get hurt. It is important that patients are informed of the potential dangers of da Vinci robots so that they can make important decisions regarding their health and treatment options. If you or a loved one has been hurt during a surgical procedure with the da Vinci robot, contact the Jacksonville personal injury lawyers at Farah & Farah to investigate your claim, as well as fight to ensure that you obtain rightful compensation for any losses. Call us for a comprehensive and confidential evaluation at 877-245-6707.

Co-counsel will be associated on these cases.