Bair Hugger lawsuit: Did you develop a joint infection after surgery?

A surgical warming device may have contributed to serious complications.

INTRODUCTION: If a 3M Bair Hugger forced-air warming blanket was used during your hip or knee implant surgery and you later developed a deep joint infection, you may have a legal claim in the Bair Hugger litigation.

What to know about the Bair Hugger lawsuit

• Core Issue: Lawsuits allege 3M Bair Hugger forced-air warming blankets may contribute to serious infections following hip or knee implant surgery.

• Who it Affects: Individuals who underwent hip or knee joint replacement surgery, had a Bair Hugger warming blanket used during the procedure and developed a deep joint infection.

• Harm/Impact: Deep joint infections may require additional surgery, implant removal or replacement or even amputation. In severe cases, these infections can be fatal.

• Legal Status: Thousands of Bair Hugger cases remain part of federal multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2666). Over 8,400 cases are pending as of October 2026, and attorneys continue to investigate new claims.

• Take Action: If you or a loved one developed an infection after hip or knee joint replacement surgery, complete the short form on this page for a free case evaluation. 

What is the Bair Hugger lawsuit?

The 3M Bair Hugger is a forced-air warming blanket widely used in hospitals to help regulate patients’ body temperature during surgery, but individuals who underwent hip or knee replacement procedures allege the device contributed to devastating infections and serious long-term harm.

These claims argue that:

• The Bair Hugger may emit contaminated air that exposes fresh surgical sites to airborne pathogens, leading to deep joint infections.
• 3M knew or should have known about the infection risk and failed to adequately warn patients and healthcare providers
• The resulting infections required extensive and life-altering medical treatment, including additional surgeries, implant removal and in some cases amputation or death

If you or a loved one developed an infection after hip or knee replacement surgery, complete the short form on this page for a free case evaluation.

Bair Hugger lawsuit updates

Legal status as of November 2026

• November 2026: Over 8,400 Bair Hugger cases remain pending in MDL No. 2666.
• September 2026: A federal judge dismissed dozens of Bair Hugger lawsuits, primarily because they were filed after the legal deadline.
• December 2015: The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated more than 60 cases into a multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2666). 
• March 2013: The first personal injury lawsuit was filed against 3M alleging a deep joint infection: Walton v. 3M Company et al. (Case No. 4:2013cv01164). 

This page was last reviewed and updated in November 2026 to reflect the latest case developments.

How Bair Hugger warming devices can cause serious harm

Developing a deep joint infection after hip or knee implant surgery can have serious physical, emotional and financial consequences for patients and their families. These may include:

• Repeat Surgical Procedures: Because antibiotics alone are often unable to clear a deep joint infection, patients may face multiple additional surgeries, including removal of the original implant and placement of a temporary antibiotic spacer before a revision implant is placed.
• Physical challenges: Pain, limited mobility and other complications can make it difficult to return to normal daily activities.
• Financial strain: Hospital bills, additional procedures, medications and rehabilitation can create significant financial burdens. In some instances, these infections may also prevent the patient from returning to work, creating further financial strain.   
• Amputation: In severe cases where the infection cannot be controlled, surgeons may have no option other than to amputate the affected limb.
• Loss of Life: In the most serious cases, patients have lost their lives as a result of infection complications, leaving families to cope with the loss of a loved one.

If you or a loved one developed an infection after hip or knee implant surgery, complete the short form on this page for a free case evaluation. 

Is the Bair Hugger lawsuit a class action?

The Bair Hugger lawsuit is not a class action. Individual claims have been consolidated into a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) for coordinated pretrial proceedings, but each case is ultimately pursued as a separate individual lawsuit. 

Are Bair Hugger settlements being paid?

No global settlement program has been established for Bair Hugger claims. Some individual cases have been resolved, but no standard settlement amount or payout schedule has been publicly confirmed. 

Can I file a Bair Hugger lawsuit if I do not know whether the blanket was used?

Surgical patients are typically under general anesthesia and have no way of knowing which warming device was used during their procedure. Medical records obtained during a case review may help determine which device was used. You may still be eligible even if you do not remember.

Fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.