Hip infection lawyers note a warming blanket used during surgery may become the subject of a Kentucky Bair Hugger lawsuit. Patients claim that they developed severe infections when the blanket was used in their surgical procedures, including hip replacement surgery or a heart operation. In the most some cases, patients have ended up needing an amputation and multiple surgical treatments.
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky Bair Hugger lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What Are Bair Hugger Warming Blankets?
The Bair Hugger warming blanket was created by Dr. Scott Augustine and sold to the 3M Corporation in 2010, who currently manufacture and distribute the device. The blanket uses a process known as forced air warming (FAW) to blow heated air throughout the inflatable blanket. It uses several different components, including an electric motor and fan, an electric heating element, a thermostat, an air filter and a hose. The Bair Hugger is commonly used for surgical patients who are under general anesthesia, as hypothermia is a risk in the cool temperatures of an operating room. Heated air inside the blanket keeps the patient’s body temperature at a safe level.
How Does A Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Work?
To operate the device, the user connects the hose nozzle into the warming blanket. Once turned on, the fan sucks air into the filter and the heating element begins to warm the air to the selected temperature. The warmed air travels through the hose and inflates the blanket. The warm air is transferred to the patient through the blanket and blows warm air onto the patient’s exposed skin.
Alleged Risks of Bair Hugger Warming Blankets
Lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer of Bair Hugger alleging several risks associated with the warming blankets that were not made known to the public. The lawsuits allege that although the 3M Corporation knew about the risks of the Bair Hugger, it negligently chose not to disclose them to the public. Some of the potential risks include:
- Potential burns to the patient
- The ability to catch on fire
- Failure to work as intended
However, a serious risk associated with these blankets, as alleged in lawsuits, is that the device can reportedly accumulate pathogens that circulate throughout the air in the surgical room and can be deposited into the patient’s surgical opening. This can lead to severe infection or injury to the patient that may be drug-resistant. These complications are reportedly more likely to occur in patients who have had heart or hip surgeries.
Kentucky Bair Hugger Lawsuit Expected
Lawsuits have been filed claiming that the manufacturer of Bair Hugger warming blankets was negligent, that it 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:
- Misrepresented their safety and effectiveness
- Sold them to medical centers without including a warning that there were dangerous risks associated with using the blankets
- Continually produced, advertised, and marketed them even after they knew that using the blankets resulted in dangerous consequences
- Did not thoroughly test the Bair Hugger FAW system before the blankets were released into the marketplace
Affected patients are encouraged to seek the assistance of a Kentucky 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 Kentucky Bair Hugger lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
Contact Us For More Information
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Kentucky 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.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for Kentucky today.
