Surgical patients may consider a Bair Hugger infection lawsuit if they developed severe infections after undergoing surgeries that involved warming blankets. Lawsuits allege that infections occurred as a result of using Bair Hugger warming blankets on patients during surgery. Particularly at risk are patients who undergo joint replacement or heart surgery. Infections have been reported which have led to many corrective surgeries, with amputations required in severe cases. Affected patients are working with a Bair Hugger infection lawyer to assist them in recovering compensation for their injuries.
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 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 Bair Hugger infection lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Understanding Bair Hugger Infection Lawsuits
Bair Hugger warming blankets work via a forced air warming (FAW) process, which involves several components working together to warm a patient’s skin while under general anesthesia. Warm air is dispersed through a blanket via a hose mechanism, which is attached to a portable heater/blower. Bair Hugger infection lawsuits allege that as the warm air inside the blower rises, it collects bacteria from the operating room floor and deposits it into the surgical site. At some point between 2002 and 2009, manufacturers of Bair Hugger blowers reduced the air filtration effectiveness, which decreased the safety of the devices. As a result, the airflow paths inside of devices become contaminated with bacteria that incubate, reproduce and travel through the hose into the disposable blanket and escape into the operating room.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reports of the devices catching fire, causing burns, and failing to work correctly. However, a significant risk connected with the warming blanket, according to lawsuits, is that it may cause infections. This can allegedly occur if the device blows bacteria-contaminated air onto patients who are undergoing joint replacement surgery or heart surgery, leading to severe and often drug-resistant infections.
Complications Claimed from Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Infections
Lawsuits are being filed on behalf of patients who allege that they sustained injuries and other damages as a consequence of developing severe surgical site infections following the use of the Bair Hugger warming blanket.
Those harmed as a result of the Bair Hugger warming blanket are encouraged to seek compensation for their injuries with the assistance of a Bair Hugger infection lawyer.
Injured Patients May Be Entitled to Compensation
Medical device manufacturers have a duty to produce safe products. They also must warn the public of any known dangers associated with the product. If they violate these obligations, they can be held liable if a patient sustains an injury. Patients who suffer complications as a result of a Bair Hugger infection may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain, suffering and mental anguish
- Loss of income
- Loss of ability to work
- Disfigurement from the injury
- Scarring from medical treatment for the injury
If a patient dies from complications, family members can pursue compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:
- Loss of financial support or companionship
- Pain, mental anguish and suffering from the loss of a loved one
- Conscious suffering and pain of a loved one before death
- Medical expenses attributable to a fatal injury
- Funeral expenses
Patients who have suffered severe complications from a Bair Hugger warming blanket 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 Bair Hugger infection lawyer to learn more about their rights and remedies
Contact Us For More Information
If you or a loved one developed a severe infection following a hip replacement or other surgery and believe that a Bair Hugger warming blanket may have been used, contact Attorney Group 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 today.
