3M is defending claims against the Bair Hugger™ patient warming device, used in operating rooms during surgical procedures, in multi-district litigation (MDL), currently involving over 4500 plaintiffs alleging that the product circulates contaminants and causes deep-joint infections. The case was consolidated into an MDL, venued in Minnesota in December 2015. The first bellwether trial was held in May 2018 and resulted in a defense verdict.
The case involves product liability and business tort elements. Our firm serves as co-counsel in the litigation and as appellate counsel. In re Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Products Liability Litigation MDL 15-2666 (JNE/FLN) (D. Minn.)