Raizner Slania has filed a Bair Hugger infection lawsuit against 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare on behalf of a Kentucky couple after the husband suffered a severe infection from the warming blanket.

In January 2015, the plaintiff underwent a right total hip arthroplasty in which the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used throughout the scope of the procedure. The Bair Hugger introduced contaminants from the operating room into the plaintiff’s open surgical wound. As a result, he developed a deep joint infection from the surgery. The pathogens identified were Streptococcus mitis oralis and streptococcus viridians.

Streptococcus mitis oralis is a type of the common Strep bacteria most often found in the mouth and throat. However, when this bacteria is introduced to other parts of the body, it can be incredibly difficult to treat. This type of joint infection is very rare, and can lead to life-threatening complications like sepsis and endocarditis. Patients being treated for this type of joint infection can experience relapses of the infection and might require amputation to treat the infection.

The plaintiff was forced to undergo extensive medical treatment to fight the infection, including irrigation and debridement with hardware exchange, aspiration, and long-term PICC line antibiotics. As a result of the treatment, he suffered additional complications, such as anemia, urinary tract infection, and postoperative ileus.

The plaintiff has endured not only physical pain and suffering, but also economic loss from the extensive medical treatments needed to fight his infections. The plaintiff believes 3M and Arizant failed to adequately warn him of the infection risk associated with the Bair Hugger and that the device is defective in both design and manufacture. The plaintiff also asserts the companies committed consumer fraud and/or unfair and deceptive trade practices under Kentucky law.

Nationwide Bair Hugger Claims

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 more about your legal options. We offer free consultations and you won’t owe us anything unless we help you recover financially.

Raizner Slania has filed a Bair Hugger lawsuit on behalf of a Missouri woman against 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare after she suffered a severe infection from the device.

On October 2011, the plaintiff underwent surgery in which the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used throughout the scope of her right total hip arthroplasty. The Bair Hugger introduced contaminants into her open surgical wound that caused her to develop a deep joint infection or DJI. The pathogens identified were a rare serratia marcescens and a rare corynebacterium.

Serratia marcescens or S. marcescens is a rod-shaped gram negative bacteria commonly associated with hospital acquired infections (HAIs). S. marcescens accounts for approximately 1.4% of all HAI in the United States each year. Many strains of S. marcescens are resistant to antibiotics commonly used to treat infections.

Corynebacterium is a rare type of gram positive bacteria that can be commonly found in patients with artificial devices and joints. Corynebacterium is an opportunistic bacteria, making it very dangerous for patients with compromised immune systems. Corynebacterium is responsible for many serious diseases and conditions including diphtheria, inflammation of the lung tissues, and inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, among others.

As a result of the infection caused by the Bair Hugger, the plaintiff was forced to undergo multi-staged removal and revision arthroplasties, multiple irrigation and debridements, antibiotic bead placement, placement of antibiotic spacers, and PICC line antibiotic therapy. The plaintiff suffered additional complications as a result of the infection, including a septic hip, and was ultimately placed on lifetime antibiotic therapy.

The plaintiff alleges 3M and Arizant failed to adequately warn patients and doctors of the infection risk associated with the device and that the device is defective in design and manufacture.

Bair Hugger Lawsuits

If you suffered a deep joint infection after a hip or knee joint surgery, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers. The Bair Hugger lawsuits attorneys at Raizner Slania can analyze your case and help you understand your legal options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Raizner Slania filed a Bair Hugger defect lawsuit on behalf of an Indiana couple after the husband received a severe infection from the device. The couple believes the manufacturers, 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare, failed to warn patients and doctors of the infection risk associated with the device.

In November 2012, the plaintiff underwent a right total hip replacement surgery in which the Bair Hugger was used throughout the duration of the procedure to regulate his body temperature. However, as a direct result of the Bair Hugger device, contaminants were introduced into the plaintiff’s open surgical wound that caused him to develop a severe periprosthetic joint infection, more commonly referred to as a PJI. The pathogens identified were gram positive cocci, including a rare gram positive cocci.

Gram positive cocci are spherical-shaped bacteria that can cause a variety of common and severe infections, like Staphylococcus (staph), Streptococcus (strep), and Pneumococcus (pneumonia). Bacteria like gram positive cocci are incredibly difficult to treat, particularly in joint replacement patients, because bacteria present on artificial joints doesn’t trigger an immune system response, allowing the infection to run rampant.

As a result of plaintiff’s infection caused by the Bair Hugger, he has undergone irrigation and debridement, PICC line antibiotics, and oral antibiotics to treat the infection. The Indiana couple believes the Bair Hugger device is defective in both design and manufacture and that both 3M and Arizant committed consumer fraud and/or engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices under Indiana Law.

Use of the Bair Hugger

The Bair Hugger is used in nearly 80% of operating rooms across the country to regulate body temperature during surgery. Regulating temperature helps reduce bleeding risks and shorten hospital stays, but the Bair Hugger’s design sucks up contaminants in air and disperses them over patients and their open surgical wounds, causing severe and life-threatening infections.

Bair Hugger Defect Lawsuit Attorneys

If you or someone you love sustained an infection after a hip or knee joint surgery within the last five years, you may be able to hold the manufacturers responsible. The Bair Hugger defect lawsuit attorneys at Raizner Slania can analyze your case and help you understand your legal options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Raizner Slania filed a 3M Bair Hugger lawsuit on behalf of a Michigan couple after the wife suffered a severe infection from the device. The couple believes manufacturers 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare were negligent in failing to warn them of the dangers associated with the device.

In December 2014, the plaintiff underwent a left total knee replacement surgery in which the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used throughout the scope of the procedure. As a direct result of using the Bair Hugger, contaminants were introduced into her open surgical wound, causing her to develop a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The pathogen was identified as streptococcus bovis.

Streptococcus bovis, or S. bovis, is a gram-positive bacteria associated with endocarditis, or the inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, and colorectal cancer. As a result of the infection, the plaintiff was forced to undergo multiple irrigation and debridements with hardware exchanges, aspirations, wound vac application, PICC line antibiotics, and long-term antibiotics.

Not only has the plaintiff suffered physically, but she has also suffered economically, due to extensive medical bills. The plaintiff’s husband suffered from a loss of services and a loss of consortium as a result of his wife’s Bair Hugger infection.

The Michigan couple believes the Bair Hugger is defective in design and manufacture and that the manufacturers committed consumer fraud and/or unfair and deceptive trade practices under Michigan law by selling the devices.

What Is The Bair Hugger?

The Bair Hugger is a heating blanket used to regulate body temperature during surgery. The device contains a pump that pushes air through a blanket draped over the patient, dispersing the pumped air over the patient through tiny holes in the blanket. Unfortunately for patients, it is now believed the pump system can suck in airborne contaminants, push them over the patient’s body, and force them into open surgical wounds, causing infections.

Raizner Slania: 3M Bair Hugger Lawsuit Attorneys

If you underwent a hip or knee joint replacement surgery within the last five years and suffered a post-surgical infection, you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries. Call the experienced 3M Bair Hugger lawsuit Attorneys at Raizner Slania today to learn your legal options and protect your rights.