Hip infection lawyers note a warming blanket used during surgeries that is the subject of a Mississippi Bair Hugger lawsuit. Patients claim that the blanket has led to severe infections. The Bair Hugger warming blanket, which is commonly used on joint replacements and heart surgeries, is alleged to be responsible for severe medical conditions, and that the makers of the blanket failed to notify doctors and patients of the risks associated with using the blanket. Some patients have required multiple surgeries to treat the infections, and others have required amputations.
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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi Bair Hugger lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What Are Bair Hugger Warming Blankets?
3M Corporation manufactures and distributes the Bair Hugger warming blanket. It is designed to be used on surgical patients to help them regulate and maintain their body temperature and prevent hypothermia from setting in, a common risk for general anesthesia patients. This type of hypothermia can cause pressures sores, increased wound infections and longer hospital stays. These blankets use a forced air warming process (FAW) that transports heated air through the tubes in the blanket and onto the skin of the patient.
How Do Bair Hugger Warming Blankets Work?
The Bair Hugger warming blankets are comprised of a disposable forced air warming blanket in addition to a controller. This controller comes with an electric motor and fan, an electric heating element, a thermostat, an air filter, and a hose. As the warm air flows over the patient, body temperature is kept consistent and is ultimately more efficient and effective than using traditional electric blankets to prevent hypothermia.
Risks of a Bair Hugger Warming Blanket
Many reports have been made to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claiming that these surgical heating blankets have caught fire during operations, caused burns, and that they have failed to work as they were intended to. However, a serious risk associated with these blankets, as alleged in lawsuits, is the increased chance of infection.
Patients who have surgical infections can experience longer hospital stays, additional surgeries, and even amputation due to infection. In severe cases, infections where antibiotic-resistant bacteria are involved can result in death.
Mississippi 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 seeking the assistance of a Mississippi 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 an Mississippi Bair Hugger lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
Contact Us For More Information
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Mississippi 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 Mississippi today.
