Raizner Slania has filed a MRSA infection lawsuit on behalf of a Florida couple against 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare after the husband suffered a severe infection from the company’s Bair Hugger warming blanket.
In January 2014, the husband underwent a bipolar left hemiarthroplasty in which the head of the femur is replaced with an artificial implant. During the scope of the procedure, the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used to regulate his body temperature. However, the Bair Hugger also introduced contaminants from the operating room air into his open surgical wound, causing him to develop a periprosthetic joint infection. The pathogen identified was MRSA.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA as it is commonly referred to, is a strain of the common Staph infection that has grown resistant to antibiotics. Because of its resistance to the antibiotics normally used to treat infections, MRSA is often called a “super bug.” MRSA infections in joint replacement patients are particularly dangerous. Ordinarily, the presence of bacteria triggers the body’s immune system response, but bacteria present on artificial joints does not. This means the infection can go unchecked by the body.
Although MRSA is incredibly rare in nature, it can often be found in hospitals. MRSA can cause severe complications and even death. For patients who have contracted MRSA, extensive medical treatments must be undertaken to treat the infection.
As a result of the plaintiff’s own MRSA infection caused by the Bair Hugger, he underwent multi-staged removal and replacement surgeries, placement and removal of antibiotic spacer, irrigation and debridements, and long-term PICC line antibiotics. Additionally, he had to undergo a trochanteric osteotomy (an additional hip replacement surgery), open reduction and internal fixation of trochanter, excision of sinus tract, and sciatic nerve release/neurolysis.
The Florida couple believes 3M and Arizant were blatantly negligent in their failure to warn doctors and patients of the infection risk associated with the device. They also allege the Bair Hugger is defective in design and manufacture.
MRSA Infection Lawsuits
If you suffered a MRSA infection after a hip or knee joint surgery, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturers of a warming blanket used during your hospital stay. The experienced medical device attorneys at Raizner Slania can analyze your situation and help you understand your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation.
