Tag: Infection

3M Bair Hugger Lawsuit

Texas Couple Files 3M Bair Hugger Lawsuit After Infection

Posted by Amy Hargis on

Raizner Slania LLP has filed a 3M Bair Hugger lawsuit on behalf of a Texas couple after the wife suffered a severe infection from the device. The couple alleges manufacturers 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare failed to warn them of the infection risks associated with the device.

In July 2017, the plaintiff underwent surgery in which the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used throughout course and scope of her left total knee replacement. The Bair Hugger warming blanket is designed to help regulate body temperature during surgical procedures. The Bair Hugger works by sucking in air from the operating room, heating it, and dispersing it through a blanket with holes draped over the patient. While regulating body temperature can help reduce bleeding risks and shorten hospital stays, the Bair Hugger introduces contaminants from the operating room air into the open surgical wounds of patients.

As a direct result of using the Bair Hugger, contaminants were introduced into the plaintiff’s open surgical wound during surgery, causing her to develop a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), more commonly referred to as a deep joint infection. The pathogens identified were acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and mixed skin flora.

Acinetobacter baumannii (or A. baumannii) is a short, nearly round, rod-shaped gram negative bacteria. This type of bacteria is considered opportunistic in humans, as it often affects people with compromised immune systems. A. baumannii is often associated with hospital acquired infections (HACs) and has been identified as a pathogen with a high rate of antibiotic resistance, making it a very difficult infection to treat. Staphylococcus haemolyticus (or S. haemolyticus), is a type of the common staph infection. However, S. haemolyticus has proven resistant to many antibiotics normally used to treat infections.

As a result of plaintiff’s Bair Hugger infection, she has undergone extensive additional medical treatments, including irrigation and debridement, multi-staged removal surgeries including placement of an antibiotic spacer, removal of the antibiotic spacer with extensive capsular and bony debridement, knee fusion with fusion nail and placement of a new spacer, and PICC line and oral antibiotics. In addition to these treatments, she will require additional future surgeries to replace the knee hardware once the infection is cleared.

Not only did the plaintiff suffer physically from the Bair Hugger infection, but she and her husband also suffered economically, with the cost of additional medical treatment. The couple believes the Bair Hugger device is defective in both its design and manufacture. The couple alleges 3M and Arizant committed consumer fraud and/or unfair and deceptive trade practices under Texas law.

Get Help With Your 3M Bair Hugger Lawsuit

If you or someone you care about underwent a joint surgery within the last five years and suffered an infection, you may be able to file a claim. The experienced trial attorneys at Raizner Slania LLP can analyze the facts of your situation and help you understand your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe us anything unless we help you recover compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Bair Hugger infection lawyer

Utah Couple Files Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Lawsuit

Posted by Amy Hargis on

Raizner Slania LLP has filed a Bair Hugger warming blanket lawsuit on behalf of a Utah couple against 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare. The wife suffered numerous infections from the Bair Hugger warming blanket and the couple alleges the companies failed to warn them of the infection risk associated with the device.

In April 2012, the plaintiff underwent surgery in which the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used throughout the scope of her procedure. The Bair Hugger regulates body temperature during surgery. The device works by sucking in air from the operating room, heating it, and dispersing over the patient via a blanket with holes for the air to exit. Because of the Bair Hugger’s design, contaminants were introduced into the plaintiff’s open surgical wounds that caused her to develop a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), also referred to as a deep joint infection (DJI). The pathogens identified were pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus, and gram-positive cocci.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rod shaped bacterium that can cause infections in plants, animals, and humans. In humans, pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with serious and life-threatening infections because it is resistant to multiple types of antibiotics usually prescribed to treat infections. Staphylococcus aureus, more commonly referred to as a Staph infection, is a bacteria normally present on the human skin and inside the nose. However, when staphylococcus aureus is introduced into an open surgical wound, it can cause a serious infection that is difficult to treat.

In order to treat the infections, the plaintiff had to undergo extensive medical treatment, including multi-staged revision arthroplasties, placement and removal of antibiotic spacer, wound vac debridement, multiple irrigation and debridements, and PICC line antibiotics.

Not only has the patient suffered physically from the Bair Hugger device, the couple has also suffered economically because of the cost of medical treatment. The Utah couple believes 3M and Arizant were negligent in manufacturing and selling the Bair Hugger device. The couple further alleges the companies engaged in consumer fraud and/or unfair and deceptive trade practices.

Get Help With Your Bair Hugger Lawsuit

Patients deserve to understand all of the risks associated with their treatment in order to make informed healthcare decisions. Patients across the country weren’t warned about the infections associated with the Bair Hugger, and now many of them are suffering the consequences. If you or someone you loved suffered an infection after a hip or knee surgery within the past five years, you may be eligible to file a claim for financial compensation. Contact a Bair Hugger infection lawyer at Raizner Slania LLP today for a free consultation to review your case.

Bair Hugger Strep Infection Attorneys

Alaska Woman Files Bair Hugger Strep Infection Lawsuit

Posted by Amy Hargis on

Raizner Slania LLP has filed a Bair Hugger Strep infection lawsuit against 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare on behalf of an Alaska woman. The woman believes the companies failed to warn her of the infection risk associated with the Bair Hugger warming blanket.

In January 2016, the woman received a right total knee arthroplasty in which the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used throughout the scope of her surgery. The Bair Hugger introduced contaminants into the plaintiff’s open surgical wound, causing her to develop a deep joint infection (DJI). The pathogen was identified as Group B streptococcus.

Group B streptococcus, often referred to as Strep, is a common infection experienced by children and adults. However, when Strep bacteria attack parts of the body not normally exposed to bacteria (like joints), they can cause severe infections. While Strep is traditionally treated with a course of antibiotics, Strep that is present in an artificial joint is much more difficult to treat. Strep can also cause additional life-threatening complications including sepsis (infection of the blood) and pneumonia.

As a result of the Strep infection caused by the Bair Hugger, the plaintiff was forced to undergo extensive medical treatment. The plaintiff underwent aspirations, emergency room visits, and surgical intervention including arthrotomy with washout and exchange of polyethylene liner followed by PICC line antibiotics. The plaintiff also suffered additional complications from the infection treatment surgery, including a hematoma (a swelling of clotted blood within tissue) and an inflammatory reaction requiring an additional washout procedure.

The plaintiff suffered greatly as a result of the infection caused by the Bair Hugger. In addition to physical pain, the plaintiff also suffered economically due to the costs associated with the extensive medical treatments to fight the infection. The plaintiff believes the Bair Hugger is defective in both its design and manufacture, and that 3M and Arizant were grossly negligent in the representation and marketing of the device.

Bair Hugger Strep Infection Attorneys

If you underwent a hip or knee surgery in which the Bair Hugger was used and suffered a post-operative infection, you may be able to file a legal claim against the manufacturers. The experienced Bair Hugger strep infection attorneys at Raizner Slania LLP can analyze your case and help you understand your legal options. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Bair Hugger Staph Infection Lawsuit Attorneys

Virginia Man Files Bair Hugger Staph Infection Lawsuit

Posted by Jeff Raizner on

Raizner Slania has filed a Bair Hugger staph infection lawsuit on behalf of a Virginia man against 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare. The plaintiff believes the companies failed to warn him of the infection risk associated with the Bair Hugger device.

In April 2013, the plaintiff underwent surgery during which the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used throughout the scope of his revision left total knee arthroplasty. As a direct result of using the Bair Hugger, contaminants were introduced into the plaintiff’s open surgical wound that caused him to develop a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), also known as a deep joint infection (DJI). The pathogen identified was coagulase negative staph (MSSA).

Methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus or MSSA is a type of staph infection that is resistant to several types of antibiotics commonly used to treat infections. Because of its resistance to antibiotics, MSSA is incredibly difficult to treat and can be life-threatening. For patients who develop MSSA infections after joint replacement surgery, treating the infections is even more challenging because artificial joint infections do not trigger the body’s natural immune response.

As a result of the plaintiff’s infection caused by the Bair Hugger, he was forced to undergo multiple revision surgeries, incision and drainage, long-term PICC line antibiotics, and was eventually discharged to a skilled nursing facility for further care.

The MSSA infection caused by the Bair Hugger not only caused the plaintiff to suffer physically, but also caused him economic harm. The plaintiff has extensive medical bills from the multiple surgeries and long-term treatment needed to fight the infection.

The plaintiff believes the Bair Hugger is defective in both design and manufacture and that the companies committed consumer fraud and/or unfair and deceptive trade practices under Virginia law.

Bair Hugger Staph Infection Lawsuit Attorneys

 Thousands of patients have been exposed to infection risks associated with the Bair Hugger medical device. If you or someone you love developed an infection after a hip or knee joint surgery within the last five years, you may be able to hold the manufacturers responsible. Contact the experienced defective device attorneys at Raizner Slania today for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Bair Hugger Staph Infection Lawyers

Louisiana Couple Files Bair Hugger Staph Infection Lawsuit

Posted by Jeff Raizner on

Raizner Slania filed a Bair Hugger staph infection lawsuit on behalf of a Louisiana couple against Arizant Healthcare and 3M Company after the husband suffered a severe infection.

In December 2015, the plaintiff underwent a right hip bipolar hemiarthroplasty in which the Bair Hugger was used throughout the scope of the procedure. However, the Bair Hugger device introduced contaminants into the plaintiff’s open surgical wound that caused him to develop a deep joint infection. The pathogen identified was staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus, more commonly referred to as staph, is a common infection found in hospitals that can be difficult to treat, particularly in patients who have undergone joint replacement surgery. Although the body is capable of fighting off most bacteria, bacteria present on artificial joints do not trigger the body’s immune system response. This makes post-surgical infections very dangerous for patients with medical implants, and can cause them serious and life-threatening side effects.

As a result of the infection caused by the Bair Hugger, the plaintiff was forced to undergo multiple excisional debridements, an incision and drainage along with a single-stage removal surgery, long-term PICC line antibiotics, and was ultimately discharged to a rehabilitation facility for further treatment.

Not only has the plaintiff suffered physically from the infection, but he has also suffered economically with extensive medical bills. The Louisiana couple believes the device is defective in design in manufacture, and that 3M and Arizant failed to warn patients and doctors of its risks.

Why Do Hospitals Use The Bair Hugger?

The Bair Hugger is used to regulate body temperature during surgery. Without a device to regulate temperature, most patients would experience hypothermia during operations. By regulating body temperature, patients can reduce their bleeding risk and shorten hospital stays. Unfortunately, the design of the Bair Hugger sucks in contaminants from the operating room and disperses them over the patient, leading to dangerous infections.

Bair Hugger Staph Infection Lawyers

If you sustained a staph infection after a joint replacement surgery, call the defective device lawyers at Raizner Slania today. We can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Bair Hugger Amputation

Florida Man Files Bair Hugger Infection Lawsuit

Posted by Jeff Raizner on

Raizner Slania filed a lawsuit on behalf of a Florida man against 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare after he sustained a dangerous infection resulting from the use of the companies’ Bair Hugger device during surgery.

The plaintiff under went a total left hip replacement operation during which the Bair Hugger was used throughout the scope of his procedure. The Bair Hugger device introduced contaminants into the his open surgical wounds that caused him to develop a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), more commonly referred to as a deep joint infection (DJI). The pathogens identified were pseudomonas aeruginosa and gram negative rods.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa or P. aeruginosa is a multidrug-resistant pathogen that can cause very serious infections in patients. If left untreated, P. aeruginosa can cause life threatening conditions like sepsis and pneumonia. Gram negative bacteria like gram negative rods have a unique outer membrane protecting them from penicillin and other antibiotics. Infections of gram negative bacteria can cause severe symptoms and even death.

As a result of the infections caused by the Bair Hugger, the plaintiff was not only forced to undergo a total hip revision surgery, but also required aspiration, PICC line antibiotics, and surgical debridement with a wound vac application.

The infection caused by the Bair Hugger not only caused the plaintiff to suffer physical pain, but = also created a financial burden in medical bills and lost wages. The plaintiff believes the companies were negligent in failing to warn him of the infection risk associated with the Bair Hugger warming blanket, and that the device is defective in design and manufacture.

Widespread Use Of The Bair Hugger

The Bair Hugger warming blanket is used in 80% of all operating rooms in the United States. This puts thousands of patients at risk, but is especially dangerous for patients receiving artificial joints. Infections that spread on artificial joints are not detected by the body’s immune system, making them incredibly difficult to treat.

Raizner Slania: Bair Hugger Infection Attorneys

If you suffered from an infection after a hip or knee joint replacement surgery within the last five years, call the experienced defective device attorneys at Raizner Slania today. We can analyze your situation and help you understand your legal options. Our consultations are free and we work on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t owe us anything unless we help you obtain compensation.