Hip infection lawyers note a warming blanket used in surgical procedures may become the subject of a Georgia Bair Hugger lawsuit. The warming blankets are alleged to have caused severe infections and lawsuits claim that the blanket’s manufacturer did not disclose the risks associated with using the warming blanket. Heart surgery and hip replacement patients are among those who allege the blanket caused them injury. Infections attributed to the use of the warming blankets have reportedly resulted in amputations and multiple surgical treatments for some patients.
If you or a loved one developed a severe infection after undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery, a heart procedure, or some other type of surgery, contact Attorney Group for Georgia to learn more. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated Georgia Bair Hugger lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is a Bair Hugger Warming Blanket?
The Bair Hugger warming blanket was developed by Dr. Scott Augustine and was sold to the 3M Corporation in 2010, who currently manufacture and distribute the device. The Bair Hugger warming blanket is commonly used on surgical patients to help regulate their body temperature while they are under general anesthesia. This can help prevent hypothermia, which is a potentially serious medical condition that can lead to greater risk of infection as well as pressure sores, a greater need for blood transfusions and longer hospital stays.
How Do Bair Hugger Blankets Work?
The Bair Hugger uses a process called forced air warming (FAW), where heated air is blown through tubes in a disposable blanket and onto the skin of the patient. The Bair Hugger blanket consists of an electric motor and fan, an electric heating element, a thermostat, an air filter and a hose. The blanket is placed over or under the patient during surgery. The patient’s exposed skin is warmed when heated air blows into the blanket. This method is thought to be more effective than using dryer-heated blankets or electric blankets on surgical patients.
Risks of Bair Hugger Warming Blankets
Complaints have been reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that allege the Bair Hugger warming blanket failed to work as intended, caused burns, and that it caught on fire. However, a serious risk associated with these blankets, as alleged in lawsuits, is the potential for pathogens to accumulate and gather in the air blowing system. These pathogens can reportedly deposit into the surgical opening on a patient and may lead to severe infections, some of which can be resistant to drugs.
By 2010, the inventor of the Bair Hugger warming blanket reportedly admitted that the risks associated with using these blankets during surgery were so severe that they should stop being used in hospitals and surgical centers.
Georgia Bair Hugger Lawsuit Expected
Lawsuits have been filed claiming that the manufacturer of Bair Hugger warming blankets was negligent, that they failed to properly warn patients of the dangers associated with using these blankets, and that the manufacturer should be held liable for selling a product that was dangerous. More specifically, some of these lawsuits claim that the maker of these devices:
- Did not thoroughly test the Bair Hugger FAW system before the blankets were released into the marketplace
- Were sold to medical centers without including a warning that there were dangerous risks associated with using the blankets
- Were continually produced, advertised, and marketed even after they knew that using the blankets resulted in dangerous consequences
- Were misrepresented in terms of their safety and effectiveness
Affected patients are encouraged to seek the assistance of a Georgia hip infection lawyer to help them understand their options.
Injured Patients May Be Entitled to Compensation
Medical device makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their devices, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a device maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable for injuries that may result.
Patients who suffered severe infections from a Bair Hugger warming blanket may be entitled to compensation for damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- The permanency of the injury
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Loss of income or ability to work
If a patient dies from their infection, family members may be entitled to compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:
- Conscious pain and suffering of a loved one prior to death
- Pain, suffering, and mental anguish from the loss of a loved one
- Funeral expenses
Patients who have suffered severe infections from Bair Hugger warming blankets, as well as the families of those who have died as a result of complications with the device, are encouraged to seek the advice of a Georgia Bair Hugger lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
The time you have to pursue a claim is limited. Contact us for more information.Get Help Now.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Georgia for more information. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
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