Despite the May 2013 ruling in which a Washington State jury reached a 10-2 verdict in favor of Intuitive Surgical Inc. (ISI), manufacturer of the Da Vinci surgical robots, other problems with the devices are prompting other product liability lawsuits. In mid-May of 2013, ISI issued an urgent medical device notification stating that particular versions of its 2009 and 2010 cautery monopolar curved scissors may develop microscopic cracks. If cracked, the scissors could then leak electrical energy and burn patient tissue. While not a part of all product liability lawsuits, this alleged defect is the focus of a number of cases. Interestingly, the manufacturer did not recall the crack-prone scissors; instead, it said that it would soon provide replacements. The FDA is reviewing the issues with the monopolar curved scissors, in addition to adverse event reports (AER) associated with the Da Vinci robotic surgical systems.
In all, ISI has been named in 26 product liability lawsuits, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) 2013 first-quarter financial statement. If you feel that you have been injured or affected by a defective medical product, contact a medical malpractice attorney at Clifford Law Offices. Our experience in product liability cases includes the recalled Sulzer hip devices and a $5 million partial settlement for a woman who was injured after a medical manufacturer failed to provide information to the surgeon about the appropriate use of its medical devices.