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GE Healthcare Infant Warmer Lawsuit

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Filing a GE Healthcare Infant Warmer Lawsuit could be an option if your baby sustained serious injuries after falling from a Giraffe or Panda i-Res radiant infant warmer. GE recently recalled both Infant Warmers, following hundreds of complaints regarding broken bedside panels/latches and at least two infant injuries.

Contact a GE Healthcare Infant Warmer Lawyer Today

The defective medical device lawyers at Bernstein Liebhard LLP are investigating fall injuries related to the use of GE Healthcare’s Giraffe Infant Warmer or Panda i-Res Infant Warmer, either in a hospital delivery room or Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

If you’re baby fell from a Giraffe or Panda i-Res radiant infant warmer and suffered a skull fracture, broken bones, or other serious injuries, please call (888) 994-5118 to learn if you’re eligible to file a GE Healthcare Infant Warmer Lawsuit.

GE Healthcare Infant Warmers: Background

NICUs and delivery rooms use GE Healthcare’s Giraffe Infant Warmer and Panda i-Res Infant Warmer to help premature or critically ill infants maintain an optimum body temperature. Both feature an innovative recessed heater that allows caregivers easy access to the infant, while ensuring the baby stays warm and clinicians remain cool and comfortable.

Healthcare providers can activate either GE Healthcare Infant Warmer in advance, allowing the beds to warm up well before a baby’s birth or arrival in the NICU.

The Giraffe Infant Warmer features the company’s rotating “Baby Susan” mattress, which minimizes unnecessary infant stimulation. The Giraffe also includes integrated SPO2 and T-Piece Resuscitation Systems, so healthcare practitioners can access everything required to deliver resuscitation therapy to high-risk newborns.

The resuscitation systems are optional on the Panda i-Res Infant Warmer. However, the Panda includes an integrated in-bed scale for quick and easy infant weighing, which is an optional feature on the Giraffe.

Both GE Infant Warmers allow for hands-free alarm silencing, adjustable lighting, and patient monitoring via full-color display.

GE Healthcare Infant Warmer Lawsuit: What’s the Problem

In July 2019, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced a Class I recall that covered every GE Healthcare Giraffe and Panda i-Res Infant Warmer manufactured and distributed from October 1, 2007 to February 28, 2019.

Class I is the agency’s most serious recall category, and indicates use of a recalled product could result in serious injury or death.

According to the FDA, the bedside panels and latch areas of the Giraffe and Panda i-Res Infant Warmers can crack or break if the unit is moved using the panels rather than the front or rear maneuvering handles. If a baby comes in contact with a bedside panel with a cracked or broken latch, the panel might disengage and fall open, allowing the infant to fall from the warmer.

At least two babies suffered skull fractures because of this issue. GE Healthcare also received 338 complaints related to broken bedside panels/latches.

How GE Healthcare is Fixing the Problem

Despite the FDA-announced recall, GE Healthcare never actually removed any Giraffe or Panda i-Res Infant Warmers from the market.

Instead, hospitals received Safety Labels that warn users to ensure bedside panels/latches are secure and illustrate the correct way to move the warmers. GE-provided posters also feature pictures of broken and unbroken latches and instructions on the proper way to check bedside panels for any damage.

These items were accompanied by a letter advising hospitals to:

• Stop using warmers with cracked or damaged bedside panel/latch areas. However, GE indicated undamaged warmers could remain in use.
• Apply the new Safety Labels to the bedside panels of each warmer.
• Provide the instructional posters to staff so that they can be posted.
• Review the Addendum to the Warmer Operation and Maintenance Manual sent with the letter.

Previous GE Healthcare Infant Warmer Recalls

Unfortunately, this is not the first serious recall involving GE Healthcare Infant Warmers.

In March 2014, the FDA announced a Class I recall for Giraffe and Panda neonatal infant warmers and resuscitation systems because components were installed backwards during assembly. According to the agency, the error might cause the devices to deliver inaccurate levels of oxygen, leading to over- or under-oxygenation that could result in infant injury or even death.

In February 2013, GE Healthcare recalled upgrade kits for some infant warmers because of a mislabeling issue that could result in inappropriate oxygen delivery. The FDA also designated that recall Class I.

And in April 2013, GE warned that certain Giraffe incubators and OmniBed systems contained defective components that might not “remember” previous settings when switched off and on or in the event of a power outage. In such a scenario, the devices would revert to default settings that might not be appropriate for the patient.

Learn About Filing a GE Healthcare Infant Warmer Lawsuit

Your family could be entitled to significant financial compensation if your child sustained serious fall injuries because of a recalled Giraffe or Panda i-Res Infant Warmer:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages (related to care of an injured infant)
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Permanent Disability
• Wrongful death (if you’re baby’s injuries were fatal)

To learn more about filing a GE Healthcare Infant Warmer lawsuit, and to arrange for a free, no-obligation review of your potential claim, please contact our experienced medical device attorneys today by filling out the form on this page, or call our office directly at (888) 994-5118.