Plaintiff Tommy W., a Texas resident, has filed a Bair Hugger lawsuit against 3M Company, Arizant Healthcare Inc, and Robert Prestera, a district sales manager for the aforementioned companies, alleging that the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming device that was used on him during his hip replacement surgery caused him personal injury.

The Bair Hugger warming system is a portable device with a heater/blower that connects to a disposable blanket used on patients during surgery. The device warms patients during surgery by blowing the heated air onto their skin. The procedure controls patient body temperature, reducing bleeding risk and generally providing better patient outcomes.

Tommy underwent surgery in March of 2011 to implant a prosthetic right hip. Tommy alleges that during the surgery he developed an infection due to the introduction of contaminants into his surgical site by the Blair Hugger. He claims that the device failed to maintain a sterile environment during his surgery, ultimately leading to severe and permanent injuries.

Tommy is seeking compensation for the damages he incurred, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, physical impairment, loss of earnings, disfigurement, and mental anguish, as well as future medical monitoring and prevention, attorney fees and exemplary damages.

Bair Hugger Complications

Studies of forced-air warmers, including the Bair Hugger, have not conclusively determined they cause surgical site infections (“SSIs”), but the studies raise concern about their potential risks. A 2011 study, “Forced-air warming blowers: An evaluation of filtration adequacy and airborne contamination emissions in the operating room,” published in the American Journal of Infection Control, found 58% of the forced-air warmers studied (including the Bair Hugger) produced and emitted airborne contaminants. Although the study did not determine whether the contaminants were viable, it observed that high levels of contamination are not necessary to cause an infection when dealing with a hip or knee replacement.

Some patients suffering from infections allegedly caused by the Bair Hugger device have had to undergo multiple surgeries to treat the infection, and some have had to have their hip or knee replacements removed.

Allegations in Bair Hugger Lawsuits

Patients who have suffered from infections after undergoing surgery with a Bair Hugger device have filed lawsuits against the device’s manufacturer. Most Bair Hugger lawsuits have raised similar allegations. Such claims include:

• Failure to have proper air filter systems in place
• Incomplete research into the design of the product
• Failure to warn about the risk of infection
• Failure to remove the product from the market once risks were apparent
• Failure to look into safer designs for warming patients during surgery

Bair Hugger Lawsuit Information

If you acquired an infection in the hospital after undergoing a surgery in which the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warmer was used in the operating room, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Lawyers are available to provide you with individualized guidance based on your personal situation. Consultations are complimentary and confidential.