Mich. Man Says 3M’s Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Device Carries Serious Contamination Risks

MINNEAPOLIS — A Michigan man has accused the makers of the Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming device of concealing the fact that the device can introduce contaminants into surgical sites during use, thereby causing serious infection, injury, amputation and death.

According to a July 25 complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, 3M Co. and Arizant Healthcare Inc. made various misrepresentations concerning the Bair Hugger’s safety, despite the fact that the units are designed to blow contaminated air in operating rooms.

On Aug. 21, 2012, William Lichlyter underwent hip replacement surgery, during which a Bair …