A Bair Hugger lawsuit has been filed by a Texas resident who claims the forced air warmer blanket that was used during a hip replacement surgery caused a MRSA infection that required six additional surgical procedures.

Plaintiff Renny S. filed the Bair Hugger lawsuit, accusing the 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare, Inc. of concealing their knowledge that the Bair Hugger medical device was unreasonably dangerous while they misled the medical community and consumers into believing it was safe to use during surgery.

According to the Bair Hugger 3M lawsuit, plaintiff Renny had a hip revision surgery in 2013 when a Bair Hugger blanket was used. Renny alleges that the forced air blanket introduced bacteria from the floor of the surgical room which contaminated the open wound.

The Texas man claims that the contaminates resulted in a Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection which required six more surgical procedures within less than a year, in order to treat it. Renny alleges that due to the MRSA infection even walking is a challenge.

The Bair Hugger lawsuit is seeking $75,000 in damages as the plaintiff claims 3M negligently continued to manufacture, market and distribute the Bair Hugger device even after they knew about the surgical risks involved.

What is a Bair Hugger Forced Air Warmer?

The Bair Hugger is a portable heater/blower that is connected by a flexible hose to a disposable blanket that is draped over patients undergoing surgery. The blanket allows circulated hot air to move across the patient’s body.

The forced air warmer blanket first came on the market in 1988 as a way to keep patients warm during surgery. Keeping patients warm has been proven to shorten recovery time and reduce bleeding during surgical procedures. More than 50,000 Bair Hugger medical devices are used across the United States.

The surgical unit allows hot air to accumulate under the surgical drape and escapes below the surgical table. According to the Bair Hugger lawsuit, this system allows air flow currents to move downward across the operating room floor and then rises, depositing bacteria from the floor of the surgical room directly onto the surgical site. 

Bair Hugger Complications

According to some lawsuits, blowing contaminated air directly into open wounds has resulted in numerous Bair Hugger complications including:

• Joint implant removal
• Intravenous antibiotic treatment
• Physical therapy
• Additional surgeries
• Deep joint infections
• Hospitalization
• Amputations

Renny alleges that not only did the 3M and Arizant know of the dangers that the 3M Bair Hugger could cause to surgical patients but rather than warn anyone in the medical profession, they decided to “double down” on their efforts to promote their defective product.

Bair Hugger Lawsuits

This latest 3M Bair Hugger lawsuit is adding to the growing number of lawsuits being filed throughout the country over the alleged complications it has caused.

The Bair Hugger lawsuit claims that due to the MRSA infection caused by the forced air warmer blanket, Renny will suffer from a diminished quality of life and an increased risk of premature death.

The Texas man is seeking financial compensation for medical expenses including the cost of multiple surgical procedures, follow-up treatment, loss of wages as well as pain and suffering.

The Bair Hugger Forced Air Warmer Blanket Lawsuit is Case No. 0:15-cv-03142-JNE-JSM in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.