IV Infiltration and Complication Attorneys

IV Infiltration and Complication Attorneys

Ryan Zavodnick | September 2, 2023 | Medical Malpractice

IV therapy (intravenous therapy) is extremely common in medical facilities. It is a medical procedure allowing health care professionals to deliver fluids and medications directly into the bloodstream. Generally, a small catheter needle is inserted into a vein in the person’s arm or hand. 

While IV therapy is an efficient and quick method of administering medication and fluids, it is not without problems and risks. One of the common problems with intravenous therapy is IV infiltration.

What Is IV Infiltration? 

IV infiltration occurs when the fluid or medication is infused outside a vein. Instead of going into the bloodstream, the fluids or medications enter the surrounding soft tissue. Symptoms and signs of intravenous infiltration include:

  • Redness and/or swelling around the location of the IV needle
  • Pain and/or burning sensations
  • Wet bandages
  • Liquid leaking from around the IV location
  • Stretched or taut appearance of the skin
  • IV infusions that stop and are very slow

A patient with IV infiltration might not receive the required fluids or medications they need, causing their medical condition to worsen. Other complications and consequences of IV infiltration include, but are not limited to:

  • Skin blistering and ulceration
  • Diminished or impaired use of the affected extremity
  • Permanent nerve damage
  • Infections
  • Necrosis (soft tissue death)
  • Severe burns that could require skin grafting
  • Air embolism
  • Disfigurement and severe scarring
  • Amputation of the affected area

Immediate medical attention is required for IV infiltration. The patient could develop life-threatening conditions and/or permanent impairments without prompt care.

When IV infiltration occurs, the IV must be removed and relocated. Depending on the complications caused by IV infiltration, the patient may require additional treatments. 

Common Causes of IV Infiltration

Human errors and medical negligence are common causes of IV infiltration. Intravenous infiltration might occur because of:

  • Improperly inserting catheters
  • Repeatedly trying to insert a catheter or needle into the same location 
  • Improper placement of an IV where it could become dislodged or infiltrate because of the patient’s movements 
  • Failing to adequately train and supervise the medical staff regarding the appropriate use of intravenous therapy
  • Setting an IV pump level too high
  • Failing to inspect the catheter and needle before inserting the IV into the patient
  • Using the incorrect size of catheter or needle 
  • Failing to monitor the IV once it is inserted

In addition to medical negligence and errors, defective catheters, IV machines, needles, and other equipment could cause an IV infiltration. If so, the manufacturer could share liability for the patient’s damages. 

What Types of Damages Can I Recover for an IV Infiltration Claim in Philadelphia, PA?

A Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer can review your case during a free consultation to give you a better idea of the damages you could receive based on the facts of your case. However, most medical malpractice claims include compensation for economic and non-economic damages.

Examples of damages in an IV infiltration case include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Medical bills and expenses
  • Permanent impairments and disability
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
  • Mental anguish and emotional distress
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Nursing and/or personal care at home

The severity of the injury or harm directly impacts the value of damages in an IV infiltration case. The more severe the harm, the greater the damages. 

Filing an IV Infiltration Claim in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If medical negligence or errors caused the IV infiltration, you may have a claim under Pennsylvania medical malpractice laws. 

Doctors, nurses, hospitals, medical facilities, and other healthcare providers have a duty to provide a certain standard of care when using IV therapy. Breaching the duty of care can result in malpractice. To prove your IV infiltration medical malpractice case, you must prove the following:

  • The medical provider had a duty of care based on a patient-doctor relationship
  • The provider failed to meet the standard of care required for your case
  • The breach of duty by the medical provider was the cause of the IV infiltration
  • The IV infiltration was the cause of your harm and damages

If a defective product caused your injury, your claim could be a product liability claim against the medical device manufacturer. The manufacturer can be held strictly liable for damages in a defective product case. Therefore, you would not need to prove negligence or intent to recover compensation.

The Pennsylvania statute of limitations sets deadlines for filing claims for damages caused by IV infiltration. The court can dismiss lawsuits filed after the deadline expires. As a result, seeking prompt legal advice from a Philadelphia IV infiltration lawyer is the best way to protect your right to pursue a claim in court.

Contact Our Medical Practice Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case

To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.