South Carolina Couple Asks 8th Cir. to Overturn Bair Hugger Defense Verdict

MINNEAPOLIS — A South Carolina couple are appealing a Minnesota federal judge’s denial of their motion for a new trial in a Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming System case.

The notice of appeal was filed in the 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals after the judge upheld a jury verdict issued in favor of the device’s manufacturers, 3M Co. and subsidiary Arizant Healthcare Inc.

On Nov. 9, 2010, Louis Gareis underwent right total knee replacement surgery during which the Bair Hugger was used. Gareis alleges contaminants introduced into the open surgical wound by the warning device caused him to develop …