Tag: Infection

Utah Couple Files Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Lawsuit

Posted by Amy Hargis on January 3, 2018

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.

Alaska Woman Files Bair Hugger Strep Infection Lawsuit

Posted by Amy Hargis on December 20, 2017

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 June 26, 2017

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.

Louisiana Couple Files Bair Hugger Staph Infection Lawsuit

Posted by Jeff Raizner on June 20, 2017

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.

Florida Man Files Bair Hugger Infection Lawsuit

Posted by Jeff Raizner on May 2, 2017

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.

Raizner Slania Files 3M Bair Hugger MRSA Infection Lawsuit On Behalf of Ohio Couple

Posted by Jeff Raizner on April 17, 2017

Raizner Slania filed a 3M Bair Hugger MRSA infection lawsuit on behalf of a Ohio couple after the wife suffered a severe infection from the device. The couple believes 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare failed to adequately warn them of the infection risks associated with their dangerous medical device.

In July 2015, the plaintiff underwent a total knee arthroplasty during which the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used throughout the scope of her procedure. The Bair Hugger device caused contaminants to be introduced into the plaintiff’s open surgical wound. These contaminants caused her to develop a deep joint infection (DJI). The pathogen responsible for the infection was identified as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, more commonly known as MRSA.

MRSA is a type of Staph infection that is incredibly dangerous because it is resistant to many antibiotics typically used to treat infections. Because MRSA is difficult to treat, patients often experience a variety of serious and life threatening side effects, including sepsis, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections, among others. MRSA infections are particularly dangerous for hip and knee implant patients, and can require complete amputation of the affected limb to fight the infection.

As a result of the MRSA infection caused by the Bair Hugger, the plaintiff was forced to undergo multi-staged removal and revision arthroplasties, placement and removal of an antibiotic spacer, multiple aspirations, and long-term PICC line antibiotics.

The plaintiff not only suffered physically from her infection, but also suffered economically both with the cost of extensive medical treatment and lost wages. The Ohio couple alleges the Bair Hugger warming blanket is defective in design and manufacture and is unreasonably dangerous. The plaintiffs also assert 3M and Arizant committed consumer fraud and/or unfair and deceptive trade practices under Ohio law.

Raizner Slania: 3M Bair Hugger MRSA Infection Lawsuit Attorneys

If you or someone you love suffered an infection after hip or knee replacement surgery within the last five years, you may be eligible to receive compensation. Call the experienced defective medical device attorneys at Raizner Slania today to learn your legal options. We offer free consultations and you won’t owe us anything unless we help you recover financially.