3M Company is facing a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL) consisting of product liability claims from patients alleging they developed a dangerous warming blanket infection. One of the most recent claims comes from an Alabama man who alleges he developed warming blanket infection soon after his knee replacement surgery.

Plaintiff Frank B. alleges he developed warming blanket infection in direct result of the use of the 3M Bair Hugger, a forced air warming device used to control the patient’s body temperature while under anesthesia.

According to his 3M Bair Hugger lawsuit, Frank’s physician had reviewed marketing materials provided by 3M Company that had stated the medical device was safe to use and did not describe any serious side effects. The plaintiff alleges that his doctor decided to use the 3M Bair Hugger was used during Frank’s knee replacement surgery on Aug. 17, 2015 based on this information.

Not long after his surgery, Frank reportedly developed warming blanket infection or deep joint infection, allegedly as a result of using the 3M Bair Hugger during his surgery. Frank alleges the 3M Bair Hugger had compounded his medical condition, and has forced him to undergo a rigorous treatment process since developing warming blanket infection.

According to the complaint, these treatments included a two staged removal surgery, along with other aggressive procedures necessary to treat the infection. Frank opted to file legal action against 3M Company, after discovering that numerous other patients developed warming blanket infection.

Overview of Warming Blanket Infection

The 3M Bair Hugger is a disposable blanket that is connected to a portable heater, which blows hot air onto the patients while under anesthesia. This regulates body temperature and is supposed to encourage smoother recovery for patients, with the medical device being shown to reduce bleeding and improving the patient’s recovery.

The 3M Bair Hugger has been on the market since 1988 and has helped numerous patients, but has been recently been linked to serious cases of warming blanket infection. Several studies have shown that forced air warming devices like the Bair Hugger could induce deep joint infections by blowing contaminated air onto the surgical site.

One of these studies was a 2011 inquiry published in the American Journal of Infection Control, which found that 58 percent of forced air warming devices observed had produced and emitted airborne bacteria. The 3M Bair Hugger was included in this study, with other inquiries finding similar results.

These forced air warming device studies also showed that the 3M Bair Hugger is likely to cause differences in temperature in the room, which causes convection currents. These convection currents could by collecting air from non sterile areas, and blow the contaminated onto the patient.

Patients who develop warming blanket infection from the 3M Bair Hugger may have to undergo serious treatment methods including:

• Extended Hospital Stay
• Revision Surgery
• Joint Implant Removal
• Physical Therapy
• Implantation of Antibiotic Spacer in Infected Joint
• Intravenous Antibiotic Treatment
• Amputation

Frank’s 3M Bair Hugger lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2666, where it will stand alongside other claims alleging warming blanket infection. Frank is seeking multiple counts of damage against 3M Company, including negligence and failure to warn.

This 3M Bair Hugger Lawsuit is Case No. 0:18-cv-00885-JNE-FLN, in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota.