In a Bair Hugger lawsuit filed against 3M and Arizant HealthCare Inc., an Arizona man alleges he developed a periprosthetic joint infection after the device was used during surgery.

Plaintiff Roberto R. alleges the periprosthetic joint infection developed due to contaminated air being blown onto the surgical area. He is joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of product liability claims alleging periprosthetic joint infection caused by use of the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming System.

The Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming system is a disposable blanket that is connected to a small heater, which blows hot air onto the patient’s skin. The Bair Hugger is utilized during surgeries to help control the patient’s body temperature while under anesthesia, which is supposed to promote quicker and more efficient recovery from surgery.

Roberto alleges he developed periproshetic joint infection as a direct result of the Bair Hugger being utilized during his left knee replacement surgery. According to the Bair Hugger lawsuit, Roberto had undergone surgery on Feb. 5, 2016, in which the forced air warming system was utilized to keep his body temperature under control.

The Bair Hugger first entered the market in 1988, and has helped numerous patients since. However, it has recently been alleged that Bair Huggers may pose a serious risk for periprosthetic joint infection, with product liability claims alleging bacteria comes into contact with the surgical site through the device’s forced air mechanism.

This is allegedly what happened to Roberto, with the Bair Hugger warming device allowing bacteria contaminates to enter his surgical opening, which later developed into periprosthetic joint infection or deep joint infection in his left knee.

Due to the development of periprosthetic joint infection, Roberto claims, he had to undergo multiple treatments and revision surgeries between June and December 2016.

Overview of Bair Hugger Periprosthetic Joint Infection Problems

Several recent studies conducted have found a correlation between forced air warmers and surgical site infections, which have spurred major concern in the medical community.

One of these studies was published in 2011 in the American Journal of Infection Control, which found 58 percent of forced air warmers like the Bair Hugger had produced airborne contaminants. These contaminants may lead to deep joint infections,which  can induce permanent injuries and cause need for intense recovery including:

• Hospitalization
• Revision Surgeries
• Joint Removal or Revision
• Physical Therapy
• Antibiotic Spaced Implanted in Infected Joint
• Intravenous (IV) Antibiotic Treatment
• Amputation

Roberto’s Bair Hugger lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2666, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging similar injuries. By joining an MDL, Roberto’s claim will be streamlined through the litigation process and will avoid potential problems like conflicting rulings from different judges.

At all times relevant, Roberto and his physicians had relied on the marketing materials and information presented by 3M and Arizant HealthCare Inc. The companies allegedly failed to warn against potential periprosthetic joint infection on the Bair Hugger warning label, nor did the companies disclose this potential complication later on.

Roberto states he would not have agreed to have had the Bair Hugger warming system used during his surgery, if he had known about the risk of periprosthetic joint infection. Roberto is filing this Bair Hugger lawsuit seeking multiple damages, including counts of negligence and failure to warn.

The Bair Hugger Periprosthetic Joint Infection Lawsuit is Case No. 0:18-cv-00329-JNE-FLN, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.