THE 3M BAIR HUGGER LAWSUITS

Jan 1

The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Lawsuits

Cohan PLLC attorney Chasen Cohan, Esq., is filing lawsuits in Las Vegas, Nevada, on behalf of individuals who underwent hip replacement or knee replacement surgery and suffered surgery site infections as a result of the use of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ warming blanket during surgery.

The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ is a medical device designed to help maintain a patient's body temperature during surgery. It is a forced-air warming system that blows warm air through a disposable blanket draped over the patient. The Bair Hugger system is widely used in hospitals and surgical centers during joint replacement surgeries.

Whether you have a 3M™ Bair Hugger™ lawsuit can only be determined on a case-by-case basis by the most experienced attorneys. Every state has a different statute of limitations and discovery rules that may affect your case. Additionally, these issues can be affected by medical malpractice laws in some states. Therefore, you should contact Cohan PLLC immediately to have your case evaluated to determine whether you have a viable 3M™ Bair Hugger™ lawsuit.

Our initial consultation is always 100% free. You will only owe us money when we win.

History of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™

The Bair Hugger™ warming blanket was invented in 1987 by Dr. Scott D. Augustine. After its introduction, the Bair Hugger™ became one of the most widely adopted products in hospitals and surgical centers. It was hailed as a significant improvement in patient care during surgery.

However, Dr. Augustine later publicly criticized his invention. His concerns centered around the potential for the Bair Hugger system to increase the risk of surgical site infections, especially in procedures like joint replacements. To prove his concerns, Dr. Augustine set up a demonstration using a fog machine and a laser to visually illustrate how the Bair Hugger disrupts the laminar airflow in an operating room and causes an increased risk of infection associated with the use of the Bair Hugger forced-air warming system in joint replacement surgeries.

The experienced team at Cohan PLLC has the time, knowledge, and resources to help you and many other individuals in Las Vegas and across the country seek justice and hold 3M™ accountable for their actions.

History of the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Lawsuits

The first lawsuits against 3M™ began to appear in the early 2010s. These initial lawsuits were filed by patients who had undergone surgeries, especially joint replacements, and subsequently suffered MRSA infections. These patients filed claims against 3M™, alleging that the Bair Hugger™ system was to blame.

As more patients and their attorneys became aware of the potential link between the Bair Hugger and infections, the number of lawsuits increased. Due to the large number of similar lawsuits filed across various federal courts, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated these cases into a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL).

Presently, product liability lawyers are filing lawsuits on behalf of patients who developed MRSA infections following knee replacement and hip replacement surgeries involving the use of a 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Forced Air Warming Blanket. The time to file a 3M™ Bair Hugger™ lawsuit is running out quickly, so now is the time to contact Cohan PLLC to determine if you have a case.

Recovering The Compensation You Deserve

Manufacturers like 3M™ have significant money and resources, which they use to pressure accident victims into walking away or accepting settlements for far less than they deserve. You must match their resources to fight for the compensation you are entitled to. Retaining Cohan PLLC will allow you to hire experts to consult with and testify at trial and will allow you to use cutting-edge technologies to prove your case to a jury. The attorneys at Cohan PLLC have the experience and dedication to seek the maximum compensation available under Nevada law.

Our initial consultation is always 100% free. You will only owe us money if we win. Our 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Forced Air Warming Blanket lawsuit attorneys are always ready to help.

We’ve committed ourselves to representing the victims of every kind of accident—so they can get everything they need to recover. Whatever it takes.

Our firm will do whatever it takes to help you recover.

Call (888) 424-2736 or fill out our contact form!

The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Lawsuit FAQs

1. What is the Bair Hugger™ system?

The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ system is a forced-air warming device used in hospitals to maintain patients' body temperature during surgery. It was designed to prevent hypothermia and improve patient outcomes. However, there is evidence which shows the 3M™ Bair Hugger™ system does not perform as intended by the manufacturer.

2. Why are there lawsuits against the Bair Hugger™ system?

The lawsuits allege that the Bair Hugger™ system increases the risk of surgical site MRSA infections, particularly in joint replacement surgeries and heart valve replacement surgeries. The plaintiffs' claim and the inventor’s evidence support the fact that the device can circulate contaminated air, leading to surgical site infections.

3. What are the specific allegations in these lawsuits?

Plaintiffs typically allege that:

The Bair Hugger™ disrupts clean airflow in the operating room.
3M™ failed to warn about the potential risks.
The design of the Bair Hugger™ is flawed, leading to increased infection risk.

4. How has 3M™ responded to these allegations?

3M™ is defending the safety and effectiveness of the Bair Hugger™ system. The company argues that no scientific evidence directly links the system to increased infection risks and cites numerous studies supporting its safety.

5. Have there been any significant court rulings in these cases?

Yes, there have been several significant rulings, including dismissals of some cases. Judges sometimes cite a lack of scientifically reliable evidence to link the Bair Hugger™ to infections. However, 3M™ Bair Hugger™ lawsuits are moving forward in 2024.

6. What is Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in the context of Bair Hugger™ lawsuits?

The Bair Hugger™ lawsuits were consolidated into an MDL to streamline pretrial proceedings. This centralization is meant to handle numerous similar cases more efficiently.

7. Can patients affected by the Bair Hugger™ file a lawsuit?

Patients who believe they were adversely affected by the Bair Hugger™ should consult a personal injury lawyer like Cohan PLLC to discuss their case. Eligibility to file a lawsuit depends on various factors, including the specifics of the case and statute of limitations.

8. What kind of compensation are plaintiffs seeking?

Because the manufacturer of the Bair Hugger™ system failed to warn consumers of the potential risks associated with using the Bair Hugger™ system in joint replacement surgeries, patients may be able to take legal action against 3M™ to pursue compensation for what happened. Plaintiffs typically seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and punitive damages.

To learn more about filing a 3M™ Bair Hugger™ lawsuit, call (888) 424-2736 now. It costs nothing to contact us.

Chasen Cohan, Esq.

Chasen Cohan, Esq. is the founder of Cohan PLLC. Mr. Cohan is a licensed attorney who also possesses FINRA Series 7 (Registered Representative) and Series 63 (Uniform State Representative) licenses, state insurance licenses, and State Securities Registrations in Nevada, Missouri, and North Carolina. Mr. Cohan is admitted to practice law before the Nevada Bar, all Nevada State and Federal Courts, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Mr. Cohan’s representative clients have included: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Sam’s West, Inc., MGM Grand Resorts International, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Mandalay Corp., The Treasure Island Hotel and Casino, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, The Mirage Casino-Hotel, South Point Hotel & Casino, American Express, Barclays, US Bank, Wells Fargo, Citibank, and various life insurance companies and service providers.

Mr. Cohan is a Las Vegas native who graduated with honors from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Mr. Cohan received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law. During law school, Mr. Cohan served as a clerk for the Office of the Texas Attorney General and a Judicial Extern for United States District Court Judge James R. Nowlin.

Clients from global brands and middle-market companies to innovative startups and individuals trust Cohan PLLC to resolve their trickiest legal disputes. Whether that’s litigation in state or federal trial and appellate courts in Nevada; investigations and enforcement actions before government agencies; or mediation, arbitration, and regulatory agency proceedings. Cohan PLLC has litigated hundreds of millions in dollars of claims on behalf of corporate litigants. As a result of this experience, Cohan PLLC has been afforded the opportunity to selectively act as Plaintiff’s counsel on complex, personal injury matters.