In 2012 alone, the da Vinci Surgical System was used in over 450,000 hysterectomies and prostate removal surgeries according to the robot’s manufacturer, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Surgeons are currently using the device, manufactured and introduced to the public in 2000, for a broad range of other surgeries including gastric bypasses, thyroid cancer procedures and gall bladder removals.
However, despite its purported benefits for patients, plaintiffs across the country are seeking legal counsel from experienced Louisiana da Vinci lawsuit attorneys and filing claims against Intuitive. These cases allege that the da Vinci robot is defective and that Intuitive failed to provide and reinforce proper and effective training methods to surgeons responsible for using the robot. If you have been injured, you may be entitled to pursue a claim with the help of Louisiana da Vinci lawsuit attorneys and seek compensation for lost wages, revision surgeries, pain and suffering and medical expenses.
Originally intended to provide a greater, more specific range of movement to physicians, the da Vinci Surgical System features a control that resembles a joystick and a console at which the surgeon sits to operate the device. The robot is allegedly less-invasive and can reduce recovery times when compared to other surgical methods. During a robotic-assisted procedure, the physician begins by inserting the arms of the system into the patient by way of small incisions. Once in place, he is then able to burn away tissues to better reach the affected organ or area.
Intuitive maintains that, when surgeons handle the device in the manner in which it is intended, the robot should cause added benefits for patients including:
- Quicker recovery
- Less blood loss
- Fewer scars
- Less noticeable scarring
Unfortunately, both Louisiana da Vinci lawsuit attorneys and the plaintiffs they represent are currently alleging that the arms are not safely insulated and the electricity can leak through micro-cracks, inadvertently burning tissues and organs that would otherwise be healthy.
Some surgeons also claim that the manufacturer did not ensure that the surgeons at the hospitals were adequately trained. However, Intuitive acknowledges that it had paid for a two-day training course for one or two surgeons at each facility that had purchased the device. After that period, it was then the hospital’s responsibility to decide whether they wanted additional members to undergo training or if they would be allowed to perform with minimal supervision without meeting certain training requirements.
Da Vinci and Claims of Injury
Louisiana da Vinci lawsuit attorneys and plaintiffs they represent allege that some have faced serious and devastating complications and injuries as the result of the da Vinci Surgical System. In some lawsuits, victims claim that their conditions would have been avoided completely because the complications were due to improper surgeon training and defective designs in the system itself. Louisiana da Vinci lawsuit attorneys also acknowledge that other injuries could include:
- Inflammation of the lining in the abdomen
- Punctured vessels, arteries or organs
- Burning or tearing of intestines or organs
- Revision surgeries
- Subsequent hospitalization
- Excessive bleeding
- Wrongful death
FDA Steps In
According to Louisiana da Vinci lawsuit attorneys and the plaintiffs they represent, Intuitive allegedly failed to test the device before selling it to the public. Claims are also mounting against the company, claiming that the manufacturer knew, or should have known, about the potential long-term consequences related to their product. Allegations also include claims that Intuitive did not release all related health and safety information in an effort to increase their own sales.
The FDA, however, has issued its own survey to surgeons in an effort to investigate the claims surrounding the lawsuits. The FDA asked surgeons about their training periods, methods and other factors as they relate to the allegations against the manufacturer. The results have not yet been released.
Questions or Concerns? Contact Professional Louisiana da Vinci Lawsuit Attorneys Today
Did you or someone you love recently have surgery and you are suffering from injuries or other complications that you feel were directly caused by Intuitive’s surgical robot? Contact Attorney Group for Louisiana today to schedule a free consultation. We will evaluate your claim and connect you with professional Louisiana da Vinci lawsuit attorneys who are experienced in handling these types of claims. You may be entitled to receive significant compensation for your injuries including pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of future wages, medical bills or wrongful death if you are filing on behalf of a loved one. So contact Attorney Group for Louisiana today for your free consultation.
