Nurse Assist Lawsuit Alleges Infection Caused by Saline Solution Used To Clean Wounds

Woman repeatedly treated her wounds with what she believed was a sterile solution before learning the product was contaminated.

A Tennessee woman has filed a Nurse Assist saline solution lawsuit, indicating that the supposedly sterile product caused an infection when used to clean her wounds.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Jennifer Wilson in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on April 17, naming Nurse Assist, LLC, doing business as McKesson, and Stericare Solutions as the defendants.

In November 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a Nurse Assist sterile water and saline recall due to a packaging problem that could compromise the water’s sterility.

The recalled medical products were prepackaged sterile water and sterile salt water solutions used in healthcare settings to clean or flush wounds or medical tubing, such as intravenous (IV) or urinary catheters. However, they have been blamed for causing devastating wound infections over the past few years.

According to her lawsuit, Wilson was suffering from lymphedema wounds on her legs and was undergoing home health treatment in April 2024, using Nursing Assist’s saline solution to treat her wounds.

The lawsuit indicates this led to ulcers and a lack of blood flow, which was later identified as a Vibrio vulnificus infection, which the lawsuit indicates is one that could occur if the product’s sterility was compromised.

However, the revelation only came after repeated treatments and nurse visits throughout the spring and summer of 2024, resulting in the need for emergency room treatment in October 2024, due to the worsening condition of her leg wounds.

“Testing of Defendants’ Saline Solution samples still in Plaintiff’s custody and control demonstrated that the subject product was contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus,” the lawsuit states. “Plaintiff’s encounter with the subject product resulted in her sustaining significant personal injuries and other damages.”

Wilson presents claims of negligence, design defect, failure to warn, breach of warranty, fraudulent concealment, and violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protections Act of 1977. She seeks both compensatory and punitive damages.

April 2025 Sterile Water and Saline Recall Lawsuits

The Nurse Assist sterile water recall has led to multiple reports of adverse events and infections like Wilson’s. Given the manufacturer’s failure to ensure product sterility, sterile water recall lawsuits are now being pursued nationwide against Nurse Assist and other distributors of the contaminated products.

Individuals who used the recalled Nurse Assist sterile water products and developed infections may be eligible for financial compensation. Lawyers are investigating claims from patients who suffered from:

• Sepsis or septic shock
• Bloodstream infections
• Respiratory infections
• Organ failure
• Necrosis or severe wound infections
• Extended hospitalizations and additional surgeries

As litigation progresses, more individuals are expected to step forward with similar claims against Nurse Assist and other entities responsible for distributing the recalled sterile water.

For those affected by the contaminated McKesson sterile water, free consultations are available to discuss potential claims and avenues for compensation.