Robotic Surgery Medical Malpractice: Who Is Responsible?
Robotic-assisted surgeries have revolutionized modern medicine, offering greater precision, smaller incisions, faster recovery times, and reduced patient trauma. Procedures such as prostate surgeries, cardiac operations, and even bariatric surgeries increasingly use robotic technology.
However, while robotic surgery offers many advantages, it also introduces new risks. When something goes wrong during a robotic procedure, medical malpractice in robotic surgery becomes a complex legal question: Who is responsible—the surgeon, the hospital, or the manufacturer of the robot?
At Oran Partners, we specialize in handling medical malpractice cases, including those involving cutting-edge technologies. In this article, we explain how robotic surgery errors happen, who can be held liable, and what patients need to know to protect their rights.
What Is Robotic Surgery?
Robotic surgery involves the use of robotic systems, such as the da Vinci Surgical System, operated by a trained surgeon. The surgeon controls the robotic arms from a console, translating hand movements into micro-precision actions inside the patient’s body.
While the technology enhances surgical capabilities, it doesn’t eliminate human error, and it introduces the risk of technical failures and training deficiencies.
How Robotic Surgery Malpractice Happens
Several types of errors can lead to medical malpractice in robotic surgery, including:
Surgeon Error:
Lack of experience operating the robotic system
Poor decision-making during the procedure
Inadequate conversion to open surgery when necessary
Device Malfunction:
Mechanical failure of robotic arms
Software glitches or errors in the control system
Electrical issues causing unintended movement
Training and Supervision Failures:
Hospitals failing to provide proper training on robotic systems
Allowing unqualified surgeons to perform complex robotic procedures
Maintenance Negligence:
Hospitals neglecting regular maintenance and inspections of robotic systems
Who Can Be Held Liable for Robotic Surgery Malpractice?
Determining liability after a robotic surgery error can involve multiple parties:
1. The Surgeon
If the surgeon lacked adequate training, misused the robot, or made poor clinical decisions, they could be personally liable for the malpractice. Surgeons remain responsible for patient safety even when technology is involved.
2. The Hospital or Medical Center
Hospitals can be held responsible if they:
Failed to properly train surgeons and staff
Allowed an inexperienced surgeon to operate robotic systems
Did not perform regular equipment maintenance
Hospitals have a legal duty to ensure that all technology used is safe and that medical staff are fully qualified to use it.
3. The Robot Manufacturer
In some cases, the robot itself may be defective. If a manufacturing defect, design flaw, or software error caused the injury, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law.
However, proving manufacturer negligence is more complex and typically requires extensive technical investigations.
Common Robotic Surgery Malpractice Claims
Typical malpractice claims involving robotic surgery include:
Internal organ perforation
Excessive bleeding
Infection due to unsterile robotic equipment
Nerve damage
Unnecessary conversion to open surgery causing additional trauma
Death due to complications arising from mechanical or human error
How Oran Partners Can Help
At Oran Partners, we have experience handling complex medical malpractice cases involving robotic surgery errors. We offer:
✔️ Thorough investigation of surgical procedures and hospital practices
✔️ Access to surgical and robotic technology experts
✔️ Legal strategies targeting all liable parties (surgeons, hospitals, manufacturers)
✔️ Support for international clients who underwent surgery abroad in Turkey
We fight to secure full compensation for our clients, covering medical expenses, future corrective surgeries, lost income, and pain and suffering.
What You Should Do If You Suspect Robotic Surgery Malpractice
Request full copies of your surgical and hospital records.
Document your injuries, symptoms, and recovery process.
Seek a second medical opinion from an independent surgeon.
Contact an experienced malpractice lawyer immediately.
Quick action preserves evidence and strengthens your legal case.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical malpractice in robotic surgery, you deserve answers—and justice.
👉 Contact Oran Partners today for a free consultation. Our expert legal team is ready to investigate your case and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
