A lawsuit has been lodged against Intuitive Surgical, the manufacturer of the da Vinci surgical robot, by Harvey Sultzer, who alleges that a malfunction during a procedure to treat his wife’s colon cancer resulted in her death. The New York Post reported that the surgery, conducted at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital in September 2021, led to a burn in Sandra Sultzer’s small intestine, necessitating further medical intervention.
The complaint, filed on February 6, 2024, accuses Intuitive Surgical of negligence and product liability, including design defect and failure to warn, alongside seeking compensation for loss of consortium and punitive damages. Mr. Sultzer’s legal action is demanding over $75,000 in damages, citing the injuries suffered by his wife due to the surgery performed with the da Vinci robot.
Intuitive Surgical promotes the da Vinci system as a tool that extends beyond the capabilities of the human hand, designed for precision and minimally invasive procedures. However, the lawsuit alleges that the robot had known insulation issues that could harm internal organs, a risk reportedly not communicated to the family.
Intuitive Surgical promotes the da Vinci system as a tool that extends beyond the capabilities of the human hand, designed for precision and minimally invasive procedures. However, the lawsuit alleges that the robot had known insulation issues that could harm internal organs, a risk reportedly not communicated to the family.
Further, the lawsuit contends that Intuitive Surgical has been informed of thousands of injury and defect reports related to the robot but has underreported these incidents to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It also claims that the company inadequately trains doctors on the da Vinci system and markets its robots to hospitals inexperienced in robotic surgery.
The da Vinci surgical robot system, introduced by Intuitive Surgical in 1999 and approved by the FDA in 2000, has faced criticism over numerous alleged flaws since its release. The current lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns over the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted surgeries and the responsibilities of manufacturers to ensure the well-being of patients.
and then