Robots are supposed to reduce the number of errors committed in surgery and be generally less invasive. Among the alleged advantages are smaller incisions and faster recovery times. Unfortunately, many people are seriously injured when robots malfunction. These machines have been known to make sudden, unexpected movements or to experience surges of energy.
At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, LLP our medical malpractice lawyers in Miami have helped many injured victims recover compensation following a botched surgery. Whether you were injured by a human or robot, you should meet with a lawyer to review your case.
Hundreds Have Died
A study reported by NBC News found that around 144 people died in robotic surgery from 2000 to 2013. This number did not include the nearly 1,400 people who were injured in robotics surgery during the same timeframe.
Of course, human error can still come into play when a patient dies. For example, a doctor might not have used the robot properly, or they might not have kept it properly maintained. Robotic assisted surgery can also require the input of information, which a human might do inaccurately.
We have seen many problems with robotics surgery:
- Electrical sparking
- Tools falling into patients
- Unintended movements
When a robotic system makes an unintended movement, for example, it can nick, cut, tear, or burn healthy tissue, leading to blood loss and other injuries.
Serious Injuries
Many patients have suffered horrifying injuries when using a robotics system, such as:
- A patient having a hysterectomy suffered burns on her fallopian tube and sigmoid colon due to an energy release during surgery.
- A patient’s liver was injured when a robotic arm moved on its own. The patient was undergoing gallbladder removal surgery.
- A patient died after suffering a nicked intestine, which was not discovered for two days. The patient had been undergoing repair for a hernia.
These are some of the grisly injuries that patients can suffer. They might need additional corrective surgery or must miss considerable amounts of work to recover from the incident.
There can also be problems involving delays. If the robot does not work properly, some doctors will need to switch the system off and then back on. In some cases, they need to abandon the robot altogether and perform the surgery unassisted.
Give Us a Call
Doctors hesitate to admit mistakes, even when a robot is to blame for an injury. However, we can investigate an incident fully and determine whether medical malpractice contributed to your injuries. Our team is prepared to meet for a free consultation if you call us at 305-371-2692.