Surgical patients may consider a knee infection lawsuit if they developed severe infections following joint replacement surgeries involving the knee. Use of the Bair Hugger warming blanket during surgical procedures has been cited in numerous lawsuits due to allegations of severe infection caused by the device, with many patients claiming that manufacturers failed to include adequate warnings related to possible risks. Affected patients are working with a knee 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 knee infection lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What Are Bair Hugger Warming Blankets?
For patients under general anesthesia, a steep decrease in body temperature can lead to perioperative hypothermia. This condition can result in many dangerous effects, including a higher rate of wound infection and development of pressure sores, an increased need for blood transfusions as well as pain relievers, and prolonged hospital stay far beyond what was expected for the initial procedure. In order to prevent perioperative hypothermia from occurring many hospitals utilize warming blankets, such as the Bair Hugger blanket.
This device, which is manufactured by the 3M Corporation, helps regulate a patient’s body temperature by using a forced air warming (FAW) process. This entails dispersing heated air through tubes, which is then transmitted to a patient’s skin. While in the past heated electric blankets were the norm to reduce the risk of hypothermia, the FAW system was touted as a more effective alternative.
How the Bair Hugger Device Works
The Bair Hugger blanket is made up of several different components. The portable heater/blower portion is connected to a hose, which is in turn connected to a disposable blanket. This blanket can be placed over or under a patient for the purpose of dispersing warmed air over the patient’s skin. Warmed air then collects under the surgical drape and makes its way over the patient’s body before escaping through an opening at the top or bottom of the operating table.
Knee Infection Lawsuit: Risks Associated With Bair Hugger Blankets
While there are numerous risks associated with the Bair Hugger warming blanket, a serious concern relates to pathogens, which can accumulate within the blowing system and then be transferred to a surgical site. This can result in severe infections, which in many cases are resistant to drug treatments.
Previously filed lawsuits allege that warmed air carries bacteria present on the floor of operating rooms upwards, which allows the bacteria to make contact with patient surgical sites. This risk has much to do with changes made to the device between 2002 and 2009 that served to reduce FAW blower efficiency and cause increased exposure to contaminants. The existing device design allegedly enables harmful pathogens to incubate insider blowers and disseminate along with the warmed air intended on reducing the risk of hypothermia in patients.
Attorneys are alleging these and other severe side effects in Bair Hugger lawsuits being filed on behalf of affected patients.
Understanding Bair Hugger Knee Infection Lawsuits
Lawsuits related to injuries stemming from use of the Bair Hugger device during surgery hold the manufacturer accountable for distributing a defective product. This is in addition to claims that patients did not receive adequate warnings related to such risks, thereby depriving them of important safety information.
Other key points of lawsuits filed on behalf of patients indicate that these devices were not properly tested before being released. Claimants also allege that the manufacturer overstated the benefits of the device, and continued to market it aggressively even after being aware of the many potential risks associated with its usage.
Those harmed as a result of the Bair Hugger warming blanket are encouraged to seek compensation for their injuries with the assistance of a knee infection lawyer.
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 suffer knee 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 a knee 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 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 knee 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.
