What Should I Know About Medical Malpractice Claims and Robotic Surgery?

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Medical Malpractice

Surgical procedures have gone through many changes in the past two decades. The use of robotic equipment during surgery has increased in operating rooms. This new technology can be more efficient, but it creates an ethical challenge from a medical malpractice perspective. There are many advantages and disadvantages when it comes to robotic surgery and the risks involved.

Advantages

There are numerous benefits to using robotic surgery in the medical field. Many times, robotic technology is used in situations in which manual manipulation is more challenging and tiresome to the surgeon. Robotic technology does not get fatigued and can accomplish a continual surgery without needing to stop. This also eliminates the possibility of mistakes caused by hand tremors. Other advantages include the following:

  • Shorter surgical and anesthesia time
  • Shorter postoperative recovery and less pain
  • Lower risk of cardiovascular complications

Robotic surgery is an amazing technological advancement in the health care field, but it is not without its problems.

Disadvantages

Many of the problems that come with robotic surgeries have to do with medical malpractice and legal aspects. A medical malpractice lawsuit states that the patient in question has suffered from the negligence of the surgeon who provided them with medical care. These cases have become more complicated with the introduction of robotics. Because robotic surgery is a relatively new field, unforeseen problems can occur. Some of the robotic surgical errors that have been documented include:

  • Broken or burnt pieces of tools falling into the patient
  • Electrical sparks from robotic equipment
  • Unintended movements

Before a surgery occurs, a patient must be informed of many things, including consent, surgical instruments being used, and possible complications. If every piece of information is not disclosed to the patient and something goes wrong during surgery, legal problems will ensue.

Liability Issues

If something does go wrong with the patient while in robotic surgery, it can be unclear if the mistake was a result of human error, robotic problems, or from general risks related to the surgical procedure. In many cases, liability falls on the manufacturer of the robotic equipment. Operating room staff and surgeons in charge of the surgery have also been sued as a result of improper training of equipment and failure to warn users of the risks involved. To receive the greatest possible outcome in a medical malpractice lawsuit, it is best to hire a medical malpractice lawyer to handle your case.

Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Clients with Surgical Errors

All surgery involves risks, but those risks should not include error on behalf of robotic technologies. If you were injured as a result of a surgical error, contact the Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton today for a free consultation. Call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online. Our skilled legal team will work to obtain the compensation you deserve.

Our offices are conveniently located in BaltimoreColumbiaGlen Burnie and Prince George’s County, and we represent victims throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel CountyCarroll CountyHarford CountyHoward CountyMontgomery CountyPrince George’s CountyQueen Anne’s CountyMaryland’s Western CountiesSouthern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of CatonsvilleEssexHalethorpeMiddle RiverRosedale, Gwynn OakBrooklandvilleDundalkPikesvilleParkvilleNottinghamWindsor MillLuthervilleTimoniumSparrows PointRidgewood and Elkridge.