Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Managing Liability Risks from Robotic Surgery

BY Kevin Quinley
September 26, 2012

The movie “Star Wars” and its progeny featured futuristic robots, like R2D2 and C3PO, whose almost human characteristics captured the imaginations of moviegoers worldwide. Fast-forward to 2012, where robotic technologies have evolved ' not so much in the image of Star Wars characters, but in ways equally as fantastic. A good deal of manufacturing is accomplished by robots. Generals now increasingly fight wars through robotic drones that fly overhead or crawl on the ground to neutralize IEDs. And robotic technology has entered the surgical suite.

Some herald the use of robots in the healthcare field as a logical next chapter in the unfolding story of medical innovation. Others decry the trend, fearing that it positions one more barrier between the physician/healer and suffering patients. Despite concerns, though, the robotic surgery genie is out of the proverbial bottle. In the summer of 2012, Intuitive Surgical, a manufacturer of medical robotics, reported that use of robotic surgery systems had surged by 26% in the second quarter of the year.

These developments have caught the attention of the personal injury bar, which is likely to focus robotic surgery litigation on many potential defendants and “deep pockets,” including: 1) Doctors and medical staffs conducting procedures on patients; 2) Hospitals where the medical procedures are undertaken; and 3) Manufacturers of robotic surgery equipment.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Yachts, Jets, Horses & Hooch: Specialized Commercial Leasing Models Image

Defining commercial real estate asset class is essentially a property explaining how it identifies — not necessarily what its original intention was or what others think it ought to be. This article discusses, from a general issue-spot and contextual analysis perspective, how lawyers ought to think about specialized leasing formats and the regulatory backdrops that may inform what the documentation needs to contain for compliance purposes.

Hyperlinked Documents: The Latest e-Discovery Challenge Image

As courts and discovery experts debate whether hyperlinked content should be treated the same as traditional attachments, legal practitioners are grappling with the technical and legal complexities of collecting, analyzing and reviewing these documents in real-world cases.

Identifying Your Practice's Differentiator Image

How to Convey Your Merits In a Way That Earns Trust, Clients and Distinctions Just as no two individuals have the exact same face, no two lawyers practice in their respective fields or serve clients in the exact same way. Think of this as a "Unique Value Proposition." Internal consideration about what you uniquely bring to your clients, colleagues, firm and industry can provide untold benefits for your law practice.

Risks and Ad Fraud Protection In Digital Advertising Image

The ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, coupled with the industry-wide adoption of programmatic advertising, poses a significant threat to the effectiveness and integrity of digital advertising campaigns. This article explores various risks to digital advertising from pixel stuffing and ad stacking to domain spoofing and bots. It will also explore what should be done to ensure ad fraud protection and improve effectiveness.

Turning Business Development Plans Into Reality Image

This article offers practical insights and best practices to navigate the path from roadmap to rainmaking, ensuring your business development efforts are not just sporadic bursts of activity, but an integrated part of your daily success.