Texas Bair Hugger LawyerDecember 15, 2015 — The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has centralized more than 50 lawsuits involving the Bair Hugger warming blanket into one federal court in Minnesota.

The transfer order (PDF) centralized the lawsuits for coordinated pretrial proceedings against 3M Company and Arizant Healthcare. The Multi-District Litigation (MDL No. 2666) is located in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota under Judge Joan N. Ericksen.

All of the lawsuits involve plaintiffs who developed serious infections during orthopedic surgeries due to introduction of contaminants in their open wounds. The plaintiffs argue that the Bair Hugger is defective in at least two ways:

  • It interrupts the normal air-flow around the surgical field in an operating room
  • The internal airflow paths of the device’s blower can be contaminated with pathogens that can be blown into the operating room

Patients who develop infections may need additional surgery or hospitalization. Severe infections, especially with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, may result in amputations or even death.

The JPML selected the District of Minnesota because 3M and Arizant are headquartered in Minnesota, where many witnesses and relevant documents are likely to be found. In addition, nine lawsuits are already pending in the district. Centralization will eliminate duplicative discovery, prevent inconsistent pretrial rulings, and conserve the resources of the parties, their counsel, and the court system, according to the JPML.

Need a Bair Hugger Lawyer in Texas?

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our Texas Bair Hugger lawyers for a free lawsuit review.

Meet Your Attorney

Collen A. Clark

Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.

“Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”

To contact Collen, please fill out the contact form below:

Free Confidential Case Evaluation

Verified 100% Secure SiteTo contact us for a free review of your potential case, please fill out the form below or call us toll free 24 hrs/day by dialing: (866) 879-3040.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.