Dallas Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog
Bair Hugger lawsuits are on the rise. The number of lawsuit filed against the makers of Bair Hugger warming blanket skyrocketed in June, according to a Reuters analysis of the data from the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.
As of August 3, 2016 there are 457 pending lawsuits against 3M, the manufacturer of the Bair Hugger device. Most of these lawsuits are pending in federal or state court in Minnesota. Most plaintiffs had hip or knee replacement surgery or cardiovascular surgery and later developed surgical infections they claim was caused by the use of the Bair Hugger device.
In one lawsuit, filed by Edgar C. Woodyear Jr.’s window, alleges that he underwent a cardiac mitral valve replacement surgery and suffered a serious surgical site infection, which resulted in his death, according to the Louisiana Record. The plaintiffs claim 3M is responsible because they allegedly “designed, manufactured, promoted, marketed and distributed the defective device and concealed and continue to conceal their knowledge of the Bair Hugger’s unreasonably dangerous risks from consumers and the medical community”.
3M continues to stand by its product
“3M wants patients, surgeons and hospitals to know that there is absolutely no merit to these claims,” 3M spokesperson Donna Fleming Runyon said. She added that many factors are known to increase the risk of surgical site infections, some of which include having other medical problems or diseases.
Most complaints have been filed by knee and hip replacement patients because bacteria that forms around the device during surgery can make infection resistant to our natural immune response. As well, a protective shield can be formed by the bacteria around the device, making antibiotic treatment ineffective. As a result, many patients have undergone additional surgeries and even amputation to treat the infection.
Our law office handles Bair Hugger lawsuits involving the warming blanket from across the country. If you or a loved one suffered from a surgical site infection after undergoing hip or knee surgery, contact our office immediately.