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Harvey Sulzer claims that his wife, Sandra Sulzer, had this surgery in September 2021 at Baptist Health Boca Raton Regional Hospital. That’s when a scary story happened: Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Da Vinci surgical robot manufactured by. He accidentally opened a hole in his small intestine.

The lawsuit alleges that Sandra suffered complications and underwent several repeat surgeries, but eventually died in February 2022. The lawsuit accuses Intuitive Surgical of negligence, wrongful death and failure to warn about robot-related risks.

According to the lawsuit, Sandra was not informed that robot-assisted surgeries involve more complications than traditional laparoscopic surgeries and that the robot has a history of malfunctions that could cause internal burns.

The lawsuit cites an earlier investigation by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which found that the robot had cracks in a small rubber bushing in a metal part, leading to electrical leaks that resulted in internal burns.

Company reaction

Intuitive Surgical has not commented on the lawsuit but has previously defended the safety and effectiveness of its robot, which is used in a variety of procedures such as prostatectomies, hysterectomies and heart surgery.

The company claims that the robot enables more precise, complex and minimally invasive surgeries, reducing patients’ blood loss, pain and recovery time.

But the lawsuit challenges the company’s claims, arguing that the robot does not improve patient outcomes or quality of life and exposes them to unnecessary risks and costs.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for Sandra’s loss of communication, support, and services, as well as pain and suffering, medical expenses, and funeral expenses.