Illinois Class Action Complaint Alleges Defective Dialyzers Killed Over 56 Patients

CHICAGO - A class action lawsuit filed against Baxter International, Inc., and Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co. (3M) alleges that Baxter's A, AF and AX series dialyzers caused numerous injuries and fatalities when traces of perfluorohydrocarbons, a processing fluid manufactured by 3M used to test for leaks, was not removed from the machines before they were distributed. Loverling Jr. v. Baxter International, Inc., et al., No. 01L-014627 (Ill. Cir. Ct., Cook Cty.).

The Nov. 13 complaint, which was removed by defendants to the Northern District of Illinois on Nov. 27 (N.D. Ill., No. 01cv9071), seeks compensatory damages for a class …