Atlanta woman sues hospital after robotic hysterectomy leads to three-month stay

Star Button spent nearly three months in a hospital after a scheduled robotic hysterectomy at Southern Regional Medical Center in Atlanta. She originally planned to leave the facility the same day. Instead, she endured a coma and weeks of intensive care while fighting blood loss and infections.

Button sought the procedure to treat fibroids, noncancerous tumors that caused years of chronic pain and excessive bleeding. These health issues had disrupted her work and daily life. She chose a robotic hysterectomy because the procedure typically involves small incisions and a faster recovery period.

During the surgery, Dr. Beverly Love, the performing physician, told Button’s husband via cellphone video that the team faced technical challenges. Love stated that he could not manipulate the uterus as intended and could not access the blood vessels. He explained that the team stopped using the robot and converted to a vaginal approach to remove the uterus.

Button’s lawsuit names Southern Regional Medical Center and Dr. Love for negligence. The filing claims the hospital failed to maintain its equipment. It also alleges Love failed to exercise the proper degree of care and skill. Specifically, the suit argues Love wrongfully removed Button’s right ovary. An expert witness hired by Button’s attorneys stated that the medical team failed to recognize and treat active bleeding in accordance with the standard of care.

Lawyers representing Love’s estate deny all wrongdoing. They attribute the complications to Button’s existing medical history. Love practiced for more than 40 years and was in good standing with the Georgia Composite Medical Board. However, the agency reported that no medical malpractice insurance was on file for him. Georgia does not require physicians to carry such insurance, a rule that distinguishes it from seven other states that do mandate coverage.

The lawsuit does not name Intuitive Surgical, the manufacturer of the Da Vinci robotic system used in the procedure. From 2016 to 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recorded at least 434 adverse events related to Da Vinci devices. At least 49 of those reports specifically involved hysterectomies. An Intuitive Surgical spokesperson noted that more than 20 million procedures have been performed using the system globally. The company emphasized that FDA reports have limitations and are not intended to establish causality.

Button says the medical bills forced her out of her home and the long recovery caused her to lose her job. She also reported that her marriage ended during the ordeal. She is currently raising funds to cover legal costs. Southern Regional Medical Center cited pending litigation as the reason it could not comment on the specific incident. The hospital stated its focus remains on providing high-quality care to its patients and communities.