Hip Recipient Blames Post-Operative Infection on Contaminants in 3M Air Device

HOUSTON – The recipient of an artificial hip has filed a lawsuit against 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) and Arizant Healthcare Inc., the makers of a forced-air warming device used by anesthesiologists, saying contaminants in a device used during his surgery caused his surgical-site infection.

Tommy Walton filed his lawsuit in Harris County (Texas) Circuit Court March 13, but defendants removed it to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas April 24, asserting diversity jurisdiction despite Walton's claims against an in-state distributor.

Walton also says that while 3M and Arizant are incorporated in Delaware, each maintains an office …