Heater-Cooler Infections Kentucky

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Kentucky Heater-Cooler Infections Lawyers

Legal help when you’ve been injured by a heater-cooler device during a medical procedure

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When you or a loved one go in for surgery, especially something serious like heart or lung surgery, you expect to come out healthier than you were before. You trust your doctors, nurses, and medical team to use the safest equipment and the best tools. But what happens when a medical device used during your surgery actually makes you sick? This is exactly what happened to patients across the country who were exposed to dangerous bacteria through heater-cooler devices. These machines are supposed to save lives during surgery, but in some cases they’ve ended up spreading infections instead.

At Crandall & Pera Law, we help people across Kentucky who’ve been harmed due to medical negligence, especially when it involves defective or dangerous equipment. If you or someone you love developed a serious infection after heart surgery, you may be the victim of a heater-cooler device infection. You may have the right to take legal action.

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Table of Contents

What is a heater-cooler device?

Heater-cooler units are medical machines that help control a patient’s body temperature during surgery. They’re quite common in open-heart surgeries or in procedures that require a heart-lung bypass. The machine works by heating or cooling fluids, which are then pumped through external tubes to help regulate a patient’s temperature.

These devices don’t directly touch the patient’s body, but they sit in the operating room and blow air out into the surgical environment. This is where the danger comes in. Per the FDA:

Although the fluid in the circuits does not come into direct contact with the patient, there is the potential for contaminated fluid to enter other parts of the device or transmit bacteria through the air (aerosolize) through the device's exhaust vent, or other unsealed openings, into the environment and to the patient.

What is the problem with heater-cooler devices?

Some heater-cooler devices, the Stockert 3T model in particular, have been linked to serious bacterial infections. This issue comes from a type of bacteria named Mycobacterium chimaera. It’s a slow-growing bacterium that lives in water. When a heater-cooler device becomes contaminated, it can spray the bacteria into the air during surgery, right into the sterile environment where your chest is open.

Because these bacteria grow slowly, it can take months or even years before someone notices they’re sick. And by then, the infection can be very hard to treat and incredibly dangerous.

What are the signs of a Kentucky heater-cooler infection?

If you had heart surgery and you’re not feeling right, don’t ignore it. These infections can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Some common signs of infection include:

  • Night sweats
  • Muscle aches
  • Ongoing fever
  • Weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Wound infections that won’t heal
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Swollen lymph nodes

Since the symptoms are not always obvious and can look like other illnesses, many people go untreated for too long. That’s why it’s important to let your doctor know if you had heart surgery and are feeling sick.

Why is this a medical malpractice issue?

Hospitals and doctors have a duty to protect their patients. This includes making sure the equipment they use is safe and clean. However, in many cases, hospitals kept using heater-cooler devices even after the risks were known.

In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning about heater-cooler infections. By 2016, it was clear that certain devices were putting patients at serious risk. Still, some hospitals failed to:

  • Remove contaminated machines
  • Properly clean and maintain the devices
  • Warn patients about the risk
  • Monitor for signs of infection

When a hospital or surgeon ignores these warnings and you get sick, that’s not just bad luck; it’s negligence. And you have every right to hold them accountable. We can help.

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What happens if I develop a heater-cooler infection?

Treating a Mycobacterium chimaera infection isn’t easy. Because the bacteria grow so slowly, antibiotics may not work right away or even at all. Many patients end up needing:

  • Long-term IV antibiotics
  • Hospital stays
  • Repeat surgeries
  • Removal of infected implants or heart valves
  • Lifelong medical care

In the worst cases, heater-cooler infections can lead to permanent injury or even death.

Who is liable for my Kentucky heater-cooler infection?

If you have developed a heater-cooler infection, there may be more than one party responsible for your injuries.

  • If the hospital or surgical center failed to follow cleaning protocols, ignored safety warnings, or continued to use dangerous equipment, they can be held liable.
  • The manufacturer that made the heater-cooler device may have designed it poorly or failed to warn doctors about the risks.
  • If your surgeon didn’t tell you about the risks, didn’t monitor your symptoms afterward, or failed to act when signs of infection appeared, they could be held at fault.

At Crandall & Pera Law, we investigate every detail of your case to find out who’s responsible, and we work hard to hold them accountable.

How much compensation can I recover for my Kentucky heater-cooler infection?

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After suffering from a Kentucky heater-cooler infection, you may be able to recover money for:

  • Medical bills (past and future)
  • Lost wages if you missed work
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Wrongful death (if a loved one passed away from infection)

Every case is different, and we can make sure to fight for the full amount you deserve.

How can a Kentucky heater-cooler infections lawyer help with my case?

Medical malpractice and product liability cases can be complicated. You’re going up against big hospitals, manufacturers, and insurance companies. But you don’t have to do it alone. When you work with Crandall & Pera Law, we help you every step of the way.

  • We look at your medical records, device history, and hospital practices while investigating your case.
  • We work with medical experts who understand these types of infections and can explain what went wrong.
  • We gather all the evidence needed to prove negligence or product defects.
  • We demand full compensation for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.
  • We handle everything, and you don’t pay us unless we win your case.

We’ve helped many families across Kentucky get justice after medical negligence. We’re ready to help you, too.

What is the statute of limitations on medical malpractice in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is usually one year from the date of injury or when you reasonably discovered the injury. The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better.

Do you have a Kentucky heater-cooler infection lawyer near me?

Crandall & Pera Law is located at 201 E. Main Street, Suite 530 in Lexington, Kentucky. We are happy to meet with you at our offices. If you are unable to come to us, we can make other arrangements, like visiting you in the hospital or setting up a virtual online meeting.

Kentucky heater-cooler infection attorneys working for you and your family

At Crandall & Pera Law, we believe patients deserve better. You should never have to suffer because a hospital failed to protect you. If you or a family member became sick after heart surgery, and you think a heater-cooler device may be to blame, we’re ready to listen. We’ve helped families across Kentucky get justice after medical negligence, and we’re proud to stand up for people just like you. Please call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.