When patients undergo medical procedures, they trust that all products used in their care are safe. For many Arizona residents, this trust was broken when Nurse Assist’s SteriCare Solutions products were found to contain dangerous bacteria that caused serious infections.
These contaminated saline and sterile water solutions, widely used in hospitals and medical facilities across Arizona, led to devastating consequences including severe infections, extended hospitalizations, amputations, and in some tragic cases, death.
The distribution of contaminated products explicitly labeled as “sterile” represents a serious breach of patient safety standards. Arizona patients deserve accountability, and our experienced legal team is committed to fighting for justice on behalf of those harmed by corporate negligence.
With strict legal deadlines limiting the time to file a claim, it’s crucial to determine your eligibility right away. Our Instant Case Evaluation can quickly assess whether you qualify to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages resulting from a SteriCare-related infection.
What Are SteriCare Solutions and Why Is They Dangerous?
SteriCare Solutions products, manufactured by Nurse Assist, LLC, are saline and sterile water solutions designed for medical irrigation. These products are used extensively throughout Arizona’s healthcare system for wound cleaning, surgical irrigation, and various medical procedures where sterility is absolutely essential.
In 2023, Nurse Assist issued an urgent recall of its SteriCare irrigation products after discovering bacterial contamination in multiple lots. FDA investigations revealed the presence of dangerous bacteria, including Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC), in products explicitly marked and sold as “sterile.”
When these contaminated fluids contact open wounds, surgical sites, or body cavities, they can introduce bacteria directly into vulnerable tissue, leading to severe health complications:
- Deep and aggressive infections requiring intensive antibiotic treatment
- Surgical site infections necessitating additional procedures
- Bloodstream infections that can progress to life-threatening sepsis
- Tissue necrosis potentially requiring amputation
- Extended hospitalizations
- Permanent health impairment
- Fatal outcomes in severe cases
Medical research has established a clear connection between contaminated SteriCare products and patient infections. A multi-state investigation documented clusters of unusual infections across numerous healthcare facilities, all linked to specific contaminated lots. Laboratory analysis confirmed identical bacterial strains in both patient samples and the irrigation solutions.
For Arizona patients who relied on these products during medical care, the consequences have been life-altering. Many victims required extensive additional treatments, faced prolonged hospitalization, and suffered lasting health effects that could have been prevented if proper manufacturing standards had been followed.
The FDA’s investigation into Nurse Assist’s production processes revealed concerning breakdowns in quality control and sterility testing. These failures endangered countless patients and form the foundation for the growing number of lawsuits against the company nationwide.
Key Health Risks from SteriCare Contamination
Contaminated irrigation fluids can cause aggressive bacterial infections that resist standard treatments, requiring intensive medical intervention and specialized antimicrobial therapies.
Bacteria from contaminated solutions can enter the bloodstream, potentially causing sepsis – a life-threatening condition that can lead to tissue damage and organ failure.
Severe infections from contaminated products have led to tissue death and gangrene, forcing medical teams to perform amputations to prevent further spread.
Patients fighting SteriCare-related infections often face extended hospital stays, multiple surgeries, and lengthy rehabilitation beyond their original medical issue.
Even after surviving the initial infection, many patients experience permanent health consequences including chronic pain, limited function, scarring, and emotional trauma.
Legal Foundations for SteriCare Lawsuits
Manufacturers must ensure product safety. Distributing contaminated “sterile” solutions creates clear liability for resulting injuries regardless of intent.
Lawsuits allege critical breakdowns in quality control, testing, and production processes that allowed dangerous bacteria to contaminate medical products.
Evidence suggests Nurse Assist may have delayed alerting healthcare providers after discovering contamination issues, potentially exposing more patients unnecessarily.
The contamination represents potential breaches of FDA regulations and federal laws governing sterile medical products, strengthening claims against the manufacturer.
Phillips Law Group’s product liability team understands how these legal principles apply to SteriCare contamination cases. Similar litigation involving contaminated medical products has established clear precedent for holding manufacturers accountable.
In comparable cases, such as the 2012 New England Compounding Center litigation involving contaminated steroid injections, courts awarded substantial damages to patients harmed by tainted medical products. That case resulted in hundreds of millions in settlements and criminal charges against company executives for safety violations.
For Arizona residents harmed by contaminated SteriCare products, a lawsuit can provide compensation for:
- All related medical expenses, current and future
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Diminished quality of life
- In fatal cases, wrongful death damages for surviving family members
In instances involving particularly egregious manufacturer misconduct, courts may also award punitive damages designed to punish the company and deter similar safety violations in the future.
Our SteriCare contamination attorneys will work with medical experts to establish the direct connection between your infection and the contaminated products. We understand both the complex scientific evidence and legal strategies needed to build the strongest possible claim on your behalf.
Who Qualifies to File a Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one suffered infection after exposure to SteriCare products, you may qualify for compensation through a lawsuit. Phillips Law Group is evaluating cases that meet specific criteria:
Must have been treated with Nurse Assist/SteriCare “sterile” medical water or saline during a procedure or wound care.
Must have received a formal diagnosis and treatment for bacterial infection following exposure to these contaminated products.
Infection must have developed within 14 days of SteriCare product use, consistent with bacterial infection development.
Medical records must confirm the specific irrigation fluid came from Nurse Assist/SteriCare rather than another manufacturer.
Injury must have occurred between 2021-2024, when contaminated products were distributed to Arizona medical facilities.
Qualifying infections typically include surgical site infections, wound infections, bloodstream infections, or other serious bacterial infections requiring significant medical intervention. The most severe cases involving sepsis, amputation, or death may qualify for substantial compensation.
Arizona residents who meet these criteria should contact our SteriCare Solutions lawyers immediately. Our experienced team can review your medical records to determine if you have a valid claim and guide you through each step of the legal process.
Even if you’re unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to complete our Instant Case Evaluation. The assessment is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation to proceed with a claim.
Get Your Instant Case Evaluation
Don’t wait to find out if you qualify for compensation. Strict legal deadlines limit your time to file a SteriCare claim. Our Instant Case Evaluation takes just minutes and can quickly determine if you’re eligible to seek damages for your SteriCare-related infection.
The evaluation is completely free with no obligation. Let Phillips Law Group’s experienced Arizona SteriCare attorneys fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on your health and recovery.