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Home/Bair Hugger Warming Blankets and Post-operative Infections

ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING VICTIMS OF BAIR HUGGER WARMING BLANKET INJURIES

 

Local Mass Tort Representation for Any Post-Surgery Joint Infection Victims

While surgery itself can be an incredibly invasive, trying, and serious procedure for many people to go through, complications that can arise after it’s completed are just as difficult to overcome. One of the many problematic areas that can happen to a patient after surgery, as well as during a surgery is hypothermia. It’s important that patients are kept warm, and Bair Hugger warming blankets are typically used inside of hospital to achieve this, however, recent news indicates that these blankets can bring with them a high likelihood of infection, especially if you, or someone you love is receiving a hip replacement, or a knee replacement.

The attorneys at Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban understand exactly how horrific this can be for those involved, and we strive to provide the highest-quality legal representation we can, especially knowing that The 3M Company, the manufacturer of these blankets has vowed to combat all claims against their product. You need an attorney that can stand up to a larger than life defendant, and is not afraid to fight tough for the justice and financial compensation their clients deserve.

 

What is a Bair Hugger Warming Blanket? Why Are They Bad?

These single-use, warming blankets are disposable, and were originally produced by a company called Arizant Healthcare, Inc. The blankets were created to have a hose which is connected to a portable heater, and when needed, they inflate with warm air. In 1987, the FDA did approve these blankets for use in surgery, allowing the product to widely dominate the market.

A decade ago, Dr. Scott Augustine, the man behind the blanket, publicly stated that he no longer supports the use of the Bair Hugger Warming Blanket in surgery due to the fact that the method used to heat up the air can potentially increase the temperature and concentration of airborne particles and will spread harmful bacteria which has been linked to numerous horrible hospital-acquired infections. The FDA failed to ‘identify a consistently reported association’ in conjunction with Dr. Augustines claims, and the blanket in question is still widely used all over the United States.

Contact Experienced Mass Torts Attorneys!

Risk of Infection Directly Linked To Bair Hugger Warming Blankets

Sadly, infections caused by these blankets can potentially take more than a year to discover in someone, which means until the symptoms are outright and able to be understood, it may be incredibly difficult to associate them with a Bair Hugger Warming Blanket. Symptoms can be, but are not limited to the following:

  • Accelerated heartbeat.
  • Blood in urine/stool.
  • Confusion, or disorientation.
  • Fatigue.
  • Fever, chills and/or night sweats.
  • Stiffness and pain in joints.
  • Pneumonia.
  • Redness, or swelling near/over the area of incision.
  • Warm skin.
  • Wound drainage. 

 

Post-surgical infections are severe, and can become life-threatening so quickly, that we cannot emphasize enough how important it is to make sure you are in good hands. Potential sepsis can occur, which causes your body’s immune system to attack tissues and organs. There is also the possibility of MRSA, a type of staph bacteria, so potent, that it is resistant to several types of antibiotic. Previous victims of Bair Hugger Warming Blankets have reported harm including: 

  • Amputation.
  • Long-term hospitalization.
  • Revision surgery.
  • Debridement of infected tissue.
  • Long-term antibiotic use.

 

Schedule a Free Consultation Today with our Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Attorneys!

Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban will proudly represent any individuals that have been the victim of harmful Bair Hugger Warming Blanket, all across the Carolinas and Virginia. Call us toll free today at (855) 435-7247, or contact Marcari, Russotto, Spencer and Balaban online to schedule your free consultation. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that until your case is resolved, and you’ve received your financial compensation, you don’t have to pay legal fees.

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