Product liability attorneys are looking for potential plaintiffs to bring Bair Hugger deep joint infection lawsuits.

These lawsuits will likely allege that the manufacturer created a defective and dangerous product and failed to warn about risks associated with using the device during medical procedures. Several patients have reported suffering severe joint infections due to the use of Briar Hugger forced air warming blankets during surgery.

The Bair Hugger forced air warmer blanket is a medical device manufactured by 3M. The Bair Hugger is a disposable hospital blanket that is connected to a portable heater that blows hot air over the patient’s skin during surgery.

The forced air warming blankets have been used by hospital surgeons for several decades in order to maintain normal body temperature. Maintaining temperature during surgery can be beneficial in reducing post-operative complications.

Studies suggest that maintaining normal temperature is associated with reducing surgical site infections as well as reducing several other post operative complications. These benefits exist for a range of surgical procedures.

According to some studies, forced air warming blankets have led to decreased blood loss and transfusion needs during surgery and a faster recovery after surgeries.

Recently questions have surfaced about whether the Briar Hugger forced air warming blankets increase the risk of patients contracting infections from germs picked up in the hospital and circulated through the device.

A recent article by surgeon Dr. Paul D. McGovern addressed the possible issues of using forced air warming blankets in ultra-clean operating rooms. The study looked at air currents created by the forced air warming blankets and compared them to conductive fabric warming methods in simulated hip and spinal surgeries.

According to the study, researchers found a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of surgical site infection when conductive warming was used rather than forced air warming blankets. Based on the study, McGovern determined that forced air warming blankets should not be used in ultra clean operating rooms.

Lawsuits against 3M, manufacturer of the device, would potentially allege strict product liability claims, negligence, breach of warranty, and several other legal claims. Plaintiffs who win awards or settlements will receive compensation for their past and future medical bills as well as compensation for the pain and suffering they were forced to endure.

Plaintiffs will likely have the option of bringing lawsuits individually or as a member in a class action lawsuit. Lawsuits brought individually often provide the plaintiff with more control over the litigation while becoming a member in a class action lawsuit allows the costs of litigation to be spread among its members.

Whether a person should bring a class action lawsuit or a lawsuit individually is a decision that should be made on a case by case basis with the advice of a legal professional.