Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler Lawsuits – Ron Bell Injury Lawyers
Our law firm is currently accepting new cases related to illness and losses caused by the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler device. These devices may become contaminated with Mycobacterium chimaera putting patients at risk for infection. If you have become ill after being treated with this device, contact us without delay for legal assistance that may lead to a financial compensation for your injuries. Your initial consultation is always free, and you won’t owe us anything until we get you financial compensation.
Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler Linked to Dangerous Infections
Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler Units are devices used to maintain the blood of a patient at a specific temperature during heart or lung surgeries such as open-heart surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, and lung transplant surgeries. During such surgeries, the heart may stop for a short period and the heater-cooler unit, along with other devices, keeps the blood circulating and maintains body organs at a set temperature.
Unfortunately, Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler Units have been linked to dangerous infections that can cause severe illness and even result in death. In December 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety warning informing doctors and hospitals of the danger of Mycobacterium chimaera infection during a heart or lung surgery where Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler Unit is used. The FDA suggested testing the devices for the presence of bacteria and immediately removing any that show traces of contamination.
Mycobacterium chimaera infection can be dangerous or even deadly for patients with a compromised immune system, especially if the bacteria enter the chest or lungs directly during surgery. Due to a variety of factors, an infection of this type is often difficult to diagnose and detect. For example, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “signs and symptoms are generally nonspecific and include fatigue, fever, and weight loss”. Such nonspecific symptoms make it more challenging for doctors to pinpoint the source of the malaise. In addition, Mycobacterium chimaera is a slow-growing strain of bacteria which means that the symptoms will usually manifest months or even years after infection. All of these factors contribute to a delayed diagnosis and a high fatality rate that, according to the CDC, reaches around 50%.
Widespread Exposure
CDC informs that, in the U.S., more than 250,000 heart bypass surgeries using heater-cooler devices are performed every year. In addition, approximately “60 percent of heart bypass procedures performed in the U.S. utilize the devices that have been associated with these infections”. This means that thousands of people may have been contaminated with Mycobacterium chimaera infections and suffered adverse health effects as a result. According to The Washington Post, more than half a million of heart surgery patients have been exposed to the risk.
Mounting Legal Actions
Some indication exists that Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler Unit manufacturers – Sorin Group USA, Inc. and LivaNova Group Deutschland GmbH – were made aware of the infections and deaths linked to the device at least as early as 2010. In 2017 at least 16 lawsuits were filed against the manufacturer. By February 2018, the number of cases reached almost 40 which were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL) in a court in Pennsylvania.
Ron Bell Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you or a family member are suffering declining health following open-chest surgery, or if you have already been diagnosed with a Mycobacterium chimaera infection, you may have a basis for a lawsuit and financial compensation. While you may not know what kind of heater-cooler device was used during your surgery, the legal team at Ron Bell Personal Injury Lawyers can help. We are a trusted and experienced law firm that delivers outstanding results for our clients who have suffered due to defective products. Contact us for help with your case. Call today for a free case review at 505-898-2355.