Raizner Slania filed a lawsuit on behalf of a North Carolina man against 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare after the man suffered an infection caused by the Bair Hugger Warming Blanket. The lawsuit alleges the company failed to properly warn that the Bair Hugger device could cause infections when used during total hip or knee replacement surgeries.
In March 2011, the plaintiff underwent a total hip replacement surgery during which the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming System was used during the procedure. The Bair Hugger introduced contaminants into the plaintiff’s open surgical wound that resulted in the development of a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), more commonly known as a deep joint infection (DJI).
The infection was identified as Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA). MRSA is sometimes referred to as a “superbug” because the bacteria is resistant to most types of antibiotics commonly used to treat infections.
As a result of the plaintiff’s infection caused by the Bair Hugger, he had to undergo irrigation and debridement, which removed infected soft tissue from his body and also had part of his metal hip implant removed. Additionally, he had to undergo antibiotic therapy to fight the infection.
The infection not only caused the plaintiff additional pain and suffering, but caused substantial economic loss in medical bills and lost wages.
The plaintiff alleges that 3M and Arizant were grossly negligent in their failure to warn patients and that the Bair Hugger is defective in design and manufacturing. The plaintiff also claims the companies are in breach of the implied warranty of merchantability and violated the Consumer Fraud and/or Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Law of the state of North Carolina.
Bair Hugger Infection Lawyers
Patients who had a total hip or knee implant replacement surgeries and developed an infection within the last five years may be entitled to compensation. The experienced defective medical device attorneys at Raizner Slania offer free, no-obligation consultations to individuals who may have suffered a hip or knee replacement infection due to the Bair Hugger warming blanket. Call Raizner Slania today learn more about your legal rights.
