Surgical Robot Injury Lawsuits: Robotic Surgery Burns, Tears and Complications

Status: Investigating claims · Last updated November 2026

If you or a loved one suffered an internal burn, organ tear or other serious complication during robot-assisted surgery, you may have a claim against the device maker, the surgeon, the hospital or all three. Robotic surgery is now routine for many procedures. When the device malfunctions or is used without adequate training, patients can be badly hurt, often without anyone noticing during the operation.

At Wieand Parker Arreola, we are investigating injuries linked to robotic surgical systems. This page explains how these injuries happen, who may be responsible and who may qualify for a claim. Call (215) 666-7777 for a free, confidential case review.

How Robotic Surgery Works

In robot-assisted surgery, a surgeon sits at a console and controls robotic arms that hold a camera and surgical instruments inserted through small incisions. Systems are widely used for prostate, gynecologic, colorectal, hernia, gallbladder and other procedures. Many instruments use electrical energy to cut tissue and seal blood vessels.

The approach can mean smaller scars and faster recovery. It also introduces risks that do not exist in traditional surgery.

How Surgical Robot Injuries Happen

Reported problems include:

• Stray electrical energy that escapes through damaged or cracked instrument insulation and burns organs outside the surgeon’s view
• Instrument malfunctions, such as broken tips or parts falling into the body
• Unexpected arm movements or loss of control
• Surgeon inexperience with a system the hospital pushed into wide use
• Missed injuries, when a burn or tear is not detected until infection or sepsis sets in days later

Patients often first notice something is wrong after discharge, with worsening pain, fever or signs of infection.

Surgical Robot Lawsuit Example

In 2024, a Florida man filed a wrongful death suit against Intuitive Surgical, maker of the da Vinci system. He alleges that during his wife’s 2021 colon cancer surgery, stray electrical energy from the robot burned and perforated her small intestine, leading to more surgeries and her death in 2022. The suit claims the company knew of insulation problems that could let electricity leak and burn internal organs but failed to adequately warn hospitals and patients. The company has faced similar claims over the years.

Who Can Be Held Responsible

Depending on the facts, claims may be brought against:

• The device manufacturer, for design defects, manufacturing defects and failure to warn. Many surgical robots reached the market through an FDA clearance pathway that generally does not shield manufacturers from these claims.
• The surgeon, for surgical errors, including inadequate training or failure to recognize an injury
• The hospital, for credentialing surgeons, maintaining equipment and monitoring patients after surgery

Learn more about our medical malpractice and burn injury practices.

Who May Qualify for a Surgical Robot Injury Claim

These are the main factors we review:

1. Robot-assisted surgery. Your operative report shows a robotic system was used.
2. A serious complication, such as a bowel, bladder, ureter or blood vessel injury, an internal burn, a retained part, sepsis or death.
3. Additional treatment. Repair surgery, a colostomy, a long hospital stay or ongoing care.
4. Medical records. Operative reports, imaging and records of follow-up procedures.
5. Prompt action. Filing deadlines apply, so contact a lawyer promptly to protect your rights.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey require supporting statements from qualified medical professionals in malpractice cases, and we work with physicians to meet those requirements.

Surgical Robot Injury FAQs

Doesn’t every surgery have risks?

Yes, and not every complication is negligence. But burns from escaping energy, broken instruments and unrecognized injuries can point to a defect or a breach of the standard of care.

How do I find out if a robot was used?

Your operative report will say. We can obtain your records and, through discovery, device and maintenance data.

Can I sue the manufacturer and the hospital together?

Often, yes. Bringing all responsible parties into one case can protect your full recovery.

Contact a Surgical Robot Injury Lawyer at Wieand Parker Arreola

If you were injured during robotic surgery, contact Wieand Parker Arreola for a free, confidential case review. If we take your case, you pay no fee unless we recover compensation for you. See our self-driving and robotics claims, related AI misdiagnosis cases and all of our technology and AI claims.

Call (215) 666-7777 or contact us online for a free case review.

This article is for general information only and is not legal or medical advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Information is current as of November 2026 and may change.