The class action attorneys at Morgan & Morgan have filed lawsuits against Arizant Healthcare, a subsidiary of 3M, over its popular Bair Hugger forced-air patient warming device, on behalf of patients who developed serious infections after undergoing joint replacement surgery.
The lawsuits cite recent studies to substantiate the claim that the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming system, which is used in operating rooms across the country, can increase patients’ risk of developing MRSA, sepsis and other serious infections. Lawsuits filed against the manufacturer of the device allege the company knew about the risk but failed to properly warn patients and doctors.
If you or a loved one underwent joint replacement surgery and developed a serious infection within 60 days of the procedure, get in touch with us today. Morgan & Morgan is providing free consultations to help patients determine whether the 3M Bair Hugger system was used during their surgeries and whether they can sue for their injuries.
Is the Bair Hugger System Dangerous?
A number of lawsuits have been filed across the country alleging that the heat generated by the device can redirect air circulation during surgery. This change, according to the lawsuits, can cause bacteria and other contaminants on the operating room floor to become airborne. As a result, patients have a greater risk of developing MRSA or other hospital-acquired infections, according to the suits.
Many of the lawsuits are by patients who underwent hip or knee replacement surgery and were left with serious deep joint infections. In many cases, these infections required additional surgeries and painful recoveries such as the removal and replacement of the artificial joint. For more information on the alleged risks of Bair Hugger forced air warming systems, click here.
One lawsuit alleges that a 70-year-old man from Texas developed a deep joint infection that required 15 additional operations following surgery using the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming System. Another lawsuit claims that a patient developed a MRSA infection that resulted in a leg amputation after the device “kicked up” bacteria from the floor.
It is estimated that this allegedly dangerous product is in 80 percent of U.S. hospitals and has been used more than 160 million times.
Bair Hugger Lawsuits Filed
Morgan & Morgan's class action attorneys have filed lawsuits on behalf of injured clients in the United States District Court, District of Minnesota, but clients are nation-wide.
Attorney Michael Goetz of Morgan & Morgan’s Complex Litigation Group describes the firm’s commitment to the lawsuit: “We expect this litigation will reveal that use of a forced air warming blanket creates a higher than expected risk of infection that is easily prevented with the use of other available warming methods.” Goetz adds, “Medical manufacturers have a duty to thoroughly investigate all safety concerns about their products and issue recalls when necessary.”
You may be eligible to receive compensation, but time to join the plaintiff group is limited.
Statute of Limitations is Running Out
Statutes of Limitations bar claims not brought within a specific period of time. A hurt party must bring their claim within the statute of limitations in order to be eligible to receive compensation. Statutes may vary based on specific circumstances, contact an attorney for your legal rights.
We Can Help
If you or a loved one suffered an infection following an operation, especially knee/hip replacement surgery, please contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case consultation. We will let you know if you qualify to claim compensation for your injuries, at no cost or obligation.