Bair Hugger Lawsuits Allege The Forced-Air Warming System Causes Life-Threatening Infections During Joint Replacement Surgeries
U.S. District Judge Joan N. Ericksen has scheduled a status conference to discuss the progress of the multidistrict litigation (MDL) for Bair Hugger warming blankets. Attorneys for both sides in Bair Hugger lawsuits will meet this week at the Minnesota district court in Minneapolis. Where more than 800 Bair Hugger infection lawsuits are pending in the MDL involving the Minnesota-based 3M Company and its Arizant Healthcare subsidiary. The complaints accuse the companies of failing to warn that their forced-air warming blankets used during hip or knee replacement surgery can cause life-threatening infections such as sepsis, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
(In Re: Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Devices Products Liability Litigation – Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Lawsuit MDL No. 2666)
“Judges presiding over MDLs hold status conferences on a regular basis to address issues and keep the litigation moving forward in a timely manner,” explains Dr. François Blaudeau, founder of Southern Med Law.
Bair Hugger Lawsuit Legal Recourse
Dr. Blaudeau and the attorneys at Southern Med Law represent numerous clients in surgical infection lawsuits. The firm continues to offer no obligation Bair Hugger Lawsuit legal evaluations to men and women who have experienced injuries from the Bair Hugger forced-air warming blanket. If you believe you have suffered an infection from a Bair Hugger warming blanket, please contact one of the firm’s attorneys for a free Bair Hugger warming blanket lawsuit legal consultation by calling 205-547-5525 or visit www.southernmedlaw.com and fill out the online contact form.
As Bair Hugger lawsuits continue in be filed into the MDL, Judge Ericksen has asked the parties to propose a plan to select Bair Hugger lawsuit cases for bellwether trials. The bellwether pool will consist of Bair Hugger lawsuits filed into the MDL before December 19, and the cases will be selected by March 1, 2017. Bellwether cases are representative of the larger group of lawsuits and contain similar allegations. Judge Ericksen has scheduled the first Bair Hugger lawsuit bellwether trial for November 6, 2017. Bellwether trials are considered “test” trials that help plaintiffs, defendants and the court determine the outcome of future trials and to determine whether to settle the larger group of cases.
(Bair Hugger Lawsuit Case: In Re: Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Devices Products Liability Litigation – Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Lawsuit MDL No. 2666)
Bair Hugger forced-air warming blankets keep patients warm during surgery. According to 3M’s promotional material, Bair Hugger’s warming system draws in the filtered air of the operating room, passes it through an internal filter and warms that air to a selected temperature. The warmed air flows to a single-use Bair Hugger blanket through an enclosed hose, and then gently dispersed across the surface of a patient’s skin. 3M asserts that its Bair Hugger system is safe and does not cause infection in patients.
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Court documents indicate forced-air warming blanket lawsuits allege the Bair Hugger system has a design defect because it draws contaminated particles or bacteria from the operating room floor and from below the operating table and into the sterile surgical site. The lawsuits contend 3M and Arizant Healthcare failed to warn that the contaminants can come into the open surgical wound which causes patients to develop deep joint infections and can lead to patients needing revision surgeries or amputation.
(Bair Hugger Lawsuit Case No. 0:16-cv-03142, In Re: Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Devices Products Liability Litigation – Bair Hugger Lawsuit MDL No. 2666)
About Southern Med Law And Filing A Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Lawsuit
Southern Med Law is an experienced law firm providing legal representation to the men and women across the country who have been victims of negligent personal injuries, medical malpractice, dangerous drugs, faulty medical devices and defective products. Led by Dr. François Blaudeau, an attorney and a practicing obstetrician/ gynecologist, the legal staff at Southern Med Law possesses a deep understanding of the complex medical and legal questions at issue in all manner of product liability and personal injury claims. They’re not afraid to take on the nation’s largest corporations in their pursuit of justice, and are committed to ensuring that all victims have access to the type of aggressive legal advocacy that assures success.
Contact:
Southern Med Law
François M. Blaudeau, MD JD FACHE FCLM Esquire
2224 1st Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Phone: 205-547-5525
Fax: 205-547-5526
francois@sml-legal.i-mlaw.com
Southern Med Law Is A Dedicated And Experienced Law Firm Providing Legal Support To People Who Were Injured By Dangerous Drugs, Medical Devices and Dangerous Products. Contact Us Today To Know Your Rights!
