Federal Judge Refuses to Remand Suit Alleging Defects in 3M Surgical Warming Blanket

HOUSTON — A federal judge has denied a motion to remand a suit by a hip implant recipient alleging defects in a 3M (NYSE: MMM) surgical warming blanket, ruling that there is complete diversity because a non-diverse defendant was improperly joined.

Judge Ewing Werlein Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas said in a July 22 order that 3M Co. and Arizant Healthcare Inc. were correct in arguing that there is no reasonable basis for liability against an alleged in-state supplier of the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Blanket.

Plaintiff Tommy Walton underwent hip …