Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System Bacterial Infection Lawyers

The lawyers of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., are investigating claims of  patients who may have suffered deadly bacterial infections associated with use of the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System during cardiothoracic surgery.

Why Are Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System Lawsuits Being Filed?

Patients and their families have filed claims against LivaNova PLC (formerly Sorin Group Deutschland GmbH). The company manufactures the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System. The plaintiffs assert:

  • A design and/or manufacturing defect allows dangerous bacteria to be transmitted to patients, causing them to suffer serious illness and, in some cases, death.
  • The manufacturer failed to timely remedy this defect and warn doctors and patients about the increased risk of bacterial infections.

Plaintiffs can file Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System lawsuits in state or federal courts. If many people suffered similar harm from the same defect, the lawsuits could be consolidated in multidistrict (MDL) or multicounty (MCL) litigation.

What Is the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System?

Hospitals use the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System to regulate a patient’s body temperature during cardiothoracic surgeries. The device features water tanks that pump temperature-controlled water to heat exchangers or warming/cooling blankets.

When water flows through the device, it converts to a spray. If the spray contains bacteria, the bacteria can contaminate the air and infect patients.

What Problems Are Linked to Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler Systems?

Although many hospitals use the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler Systems, the devices have come under close scrutiny in recent years due to reports of patients suffering bacterial infections.

In June and October of 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning about the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System. The FDA reported  that it received reports of Mycobacterium chimaera (M. chimaera) infections linked to use of the devices in cardiothoracic surgeries.

Patients who received a heart valve, graft, left ventricular assist device or other prosthetic product during surgery face the highest risk of bacterial infections, the FDA stated.

  1. Chimaera is a rare type of nontuberculous mycobacterium. The bacteria can cause deadly infections. Unfortunately, it can take many years after exposure before the symptoms of M. chimaera infection appear.

The device’s manufacturer, LivaNova PLC, tested its 3T manufacturing facility in August 2014, the FDA reports. The testing revealed M. chimaera contamination in the facility’s water supply and along the production line.

To address the issue, the manufacturer changed its cleaning and disinfection procedures in September 2014. However, 3T systems continued to test positive for M. chimaera after that date, the FDA reports.

What Compensation Can You Pursue in a Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System Lawsuit?

If you believe that you or a loved one suffered bacterial infection after undergoing a surgical procedure that involved use of the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler system, you should report your adverse event to the FDA’s MedWatch program.

You should also seek help from an experienced product liability attorney. The attorney can conduct a thorough review of your case and determine the legal options available to you.

You may be entitled to compensation that includes:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost income and diminished future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Wrongful death damages (if your loved one died from an infection).

Our Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System Bacterial Infection Lawyers Can Help You

Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., has a record of consumer protection that goes back to our firm’s founding in 1981.

We aggressively seek compensation for those harmed by the negligence or wrongdoing of others, including medical device manufacturers. We have recovered more than $400 million on behalf of our clients.

Contact us today to discuss your case. If you or a family member suffered harm from a bacterial infection associated with the Stockert 3T Heater-Cooler System, we will aggressively seek the compensation you are due.

Our initial consultations are always free. We will charge no costs or fees unless we obtain a recovery for you.

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