Raizner Slania filed a MRSA infection lawsuit on behalf of a D.C. woman against 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare after she received an infection from the companies’ Bair Hugger warming blanket device.
The plaintiff underwent a left total hip arthroplasty in August 2015 in which the Bair Hugger was used throughout the scope of her procedure to regulate her temperature. While regulating body temperature during surgery can reduce bleeding risks and shorten hospital stays, the Bair Hugger device also introduced contaminants into the plaintiff’s open surgical wound that caused her to develop a deep joint infection (DJI). The pathogens were identified as MRSA and pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA for short, is a strain of the common Staph infection that has become resistant to the antibiotics normally used to treat infections. Because of its resistance to antibiotics, MRSA is often referred to as a “super bug,” and is incredibly difficult for physicians to treat. Pseudomonas aeruginosa or P. aeruginosa is a gram negative bacteria that is a multi-drug resistant pathogen, meaning it is also resistant to some types of antibiotics used to treat infections.
As a result of the plaintiff’s infections caused by the Bair Hugger, she was forced to undergo removal and replacement surgery, multiple extensive irrigation and debridements, wound vac placement, and long-term PICC line antibiotics. Unfortunately, the plaintiff also suffered additional complications from the infections, including sepsis, which is a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s response to an infection.
The plaintiff suffered not only physically from the infections caused by the Bair Hugger, but also financially with extensive medical bills. The plaintiff believes 3M and Arizant failed to warn patients about the infection risk associated with their device and the Bair Hugger is unreasonably dangerous.
MRSA Infection Lawsuit Attorneys
If you underwent a hip or knee surgery within the last five years and suffered from an infection, you may be able to file a claim. 3M and Arizant had a responsibility to warn patients of all risks related to their product. The experienced defective device attorneys at Raizner Slania can help you hold these companies responsible. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.