Man after surgery attached to a bair hugger device

Patients that undergo a hip replacement surgery sometimes have an infection afterwards and do not know why. One potential cause can be attributed to the use of a warming blanket during surgery. Warming blankets are often used during surgery to regulate the patient’s body temperature and have been linked to causing infections. Recently, a Louisiana woman filed a product liability lawsuit for injuries she allegedly sustained from the use of a Bair Hugger warming blanket during surgery.

Why Did The Woman File a Bair Hugger Lawsuit?

The woman filed the lawsuit after the Bair Hugger warming blanket was used during her hip replacement surgery and allegedly caused an infection by contaminating the surgical site. As the result of the infection, she suffered severe, permanent injuries, including limited mobility. She alleges that the Bair Hugger warming blanket caused her infection and filed the lawsuit to obtain compensation for her injuries.

How Could The Warming Blanket Cause an Infection?

Bair hugger system

Surgical warming blankets, such as Bair Hugger, basically work like a forced-air heater. They push warm air from a heater, located on the floor, through a hose and into a blanket covering the patient. But the heater also pushes air under the surgical table, which can cause germs to spread throughout the room during surgery. This can cause an infection in the surgical area and such infections can become difficult to treat, particularly when they occur deep in a joint such as the hip or knee.

What Are The Risks Associated With Warming Blankets?

The most serious complications that can occur as a result from the use of surgical warming blankets are deep joint infections, especially during hip and knee replacement surgeries. While some infections can be treated with antibiotics or more surgery, in severe cases, revision surgery or even amputation may become necessary. When bacterial infections spread to artificial joints, which are made of metal and plastic, they become difficult to treat and may even become resistant to antibiotics. Patients who have diabetes, are obese or those who have a compromised immune system are more susceptible to these infections. Some of the signs and symptoms of an infected joint include fatigue, fever, swelling and increased pain or stiffness.

Contact a Bair Hugger Lawyer

If you or someone you know has suffered from an infection after a surgery where a Bair Hugger warming blanket was used, you may be able to receive compensation for your medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. Our firm is working with experienced Bair Hugger warming blanket lawyers, who are investigating these cases. They may be able to file a Bair Hugger warming blanket lawsuit for you and they charge no fee unless you win an award or settlement. For a free (no obligation) case evaluation, call our toll free number at 1-(508) 625-9765 or fill out a contact form online.

Bair Hugger victims meeting with their Personal Injury Attorney