Arizant Healthcare and 3M Company are facing a new deep joint infection lawsuit from a West Virginia resident alleging their forced-air warming device caused the death of a loved one. This deep joint infection lawsuit is joining a growing multidistrict litigation (MDL), consisting of other claims alleging similar injuries.

Plaintiff Cecil K. filed this deep joint infection lawsuit on behalf of deceased loved one Karen K., who allegedly died from infection soon after undergoing knee replacement surgery. The deep joint infection allegedly developed as a direct result of using the Bair Hugger during the procedures, which may have blown bacteria and other contaminants onto the surgical site.

According to the deep joint infection lawsuit, Karen had undergone knee replacement surgery on both of her legs on Aug. 16, 2010, and on Nov. 1, 2010, and she had no reason to believe she was at risk for serious complications.

However, not long after the surgery, Karen began experiencing surgical complications that needed further medical care. Karen eventually underwent revision surgery, but it did not prevent her from developing a deep joint infection.

Karen eventually died from this complication, leaving Cecil to file this deep joint infection lawsuit on her behalf. Cecil alleges 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare knew their product could potentially cause deadly infection, but failed to disclose this information to the public.

Overview of Bair Hugger Complications

The Bair Hugger warming blanket has been on the market since 1988 and has been used in many surgeries.

This device is used to control the patient’s body temperature while the patient is under anesthesia, which is supposed to promote faster recovery time. The device consists of a disposable blanket connected to a portable heater that blows hot air onto the patient’s skin.

The device works by forcing warm air through the disposable blankets, which cover the patients during and after surgery. The blankets also consist of drain holes to allow fluid to pass through the blanket’s surface linen, which is supposed to reduce the risk of skin softening and unintended cooling.

However, the forced air warming mechanism has been allegedly causing numerous patients to develop deep joint infections by sweeping up contaminants and depositing them in the surgical site.

There have been several studies indicating Bair Hugger’s may induce deep joint infections, including one 2011 inquiry published in the Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. According to the study, the forced air collected by the device may create convection currents, which draws air from nonsterile areas in the environment.

This could allow bacterial particles to blow on the surgical site and potentially cause infections. The Bair Hugger infections have been primarily linked to hip, knee, and other joint related surgeries, with patients put at risk for further complications.

Cecil’s deep joint infection lawsuit is joining MDL No. 2666, alleging Arizant and 3M Company either knew or should have known about the risks their device presented. Cecil is raising claims including negligence and failure to warn, ultimately claiming Karen’s untimely death was caused by deep joint infection.

This Deep Joint Infection Lawsuit is Case No. 0:18-cv-00397-JNE-FLN, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.