Many patients who seek treatment at a hospital required an IV drip, also known as an intravenous line, during their stay. Getting an IV drip is something many of us have experience with, and we seldom stop to think about what can happen when there is negligence by medical staff with these procedures.
Malpractice by doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff can lead to serious health complications from the administration of an IV drip. Those who are injured have the right to seek legal advice and see if there are grounds to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. With that in mind, please contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm and talk to a California IV drip injury lawyer.
The Dangers of IV
Infiltration
Fluid in an IV drip is administered in a vein, but carelessness by hospital staff can result in IV infiltration. This is what happens when IV fluid enters the tissue surrounding the vein, which can cause severe tissue damage and internal burn injuries. Indications of an IV infiltration include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Blistering
- Burning sensation
- Whitening of the skin
- Pins and needles sensation (numbness and/or tingling)
- Decrease in body temperature
- Sensitivity at the insertion site
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A Healthcare Provider’s Duty of Care
We cannot expect that medical professional will never make a mistake, as they are only human, at the end of the day. But there is professional standard of care that they need to follow, and falling below those standards can make them liable for injuries to the patient. This includes injury and permanent complications resulting from negligent IV drip administration. The effects of IV infiltration include devastating medical conditions, such as:
- Compartment syndrome
- Necrosis(tissue death) that leads to amputation
- Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Brain injury
- Vein rupture and other kinds of damage to the veins and arteries
- Air Embolism
- Permanent nerve damage
- Spinal cord injury that results in permanent paralysis
- Symptoms of an overdose
- Life-threatening infections
What is Medical Malpractice under California Law?
Medical malpractice does not punish doctors and other healthcare providers for making a mistake, which can happen to even the most experienced medical professionals. Rather, it’s about a failure to exercise the standard of care that’s expected by a clinician under similar circumstance. Qualifying for a medical malpractice lawsuit is based on your ability to establish the following:
- A patient – physician relationship existed between you and the party you are suing.
- The physician failed to meet reasonable standards that are expected of clinicians in the same specialty, with the same level of education and experience.
- Due to the doctor’s failure to meet professional standards, you suffered an injury that resulted in monetary losses, along with physical and mental suffering.
Preventing IV Infiltration Injuries to Patients
There are various methods that nurses and doctors can take to prevent infiltration injuries to a patient when they are administering an IV drip:
- Select a vein that is prominent, well-defined, and easily accessible. A good rule of thumb is to avoid veins in the hand, wrist, or the triangular area in the elbow (cubital fossa)
- Make sure to use a catheter that is the appropriate size for the vein and fluid being administered to the patient
- Ensure that the catheter is secured firmly, but not too tight, which may impede blood flow
- In pediatric patients, make sure to use an IV for babies / children
- Regularly monitor the patient to check for signs of infiltration, like swelling, redness, and pain
- Check to make sure there is no backflow of blood in the IV line, which can indicate problems, like a loose connection or the line not being flushed properly.
Statute of Limitations to File an IV Drip Injury Lawsuit
The laws in California provide injured patients with the following deadline for a medical malpractice lawsuit:
- 3 years after the occurrence of the injury
- 1 year from when the injury was first discovered
Some cases involve special circumstances that will extend the statute of limitations beyond these timelines. For example, if the claimant can prove intentional fraud or wrongdoing by the medical professional / facility to hide the negligent act, this can be used to ask the court for additional time to file a claim.
Because this is a complex issue, we believe that it’s in your best interest to contact our law firm and talk to a lawyer about the statute of limitations to sue for an IV drip injury resulting from medical malpractice.
Contact a California Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Here at Normandie Law Firm, we understand the complications of proving a medical malpractice incident and fighting for the compensation you deserve as an injury victim. With decades of experience in healthcare provider negligence claims, you can depend on us to fight for every penny you deserve.
We also operate under the Zero Fee Guarantee, so all legal services are free to you from the moment you reach out to us. By taking your case on contingency, we pledge that legal fees will be recovered from the defendant as a part of your settlement demands. In other words, we have to win your case in order to get paid. No matter what, your finances will not be affected, so you have nothing to lose by giving us the opportunity to advise you.
Please contact us today and schedule a free case evaluation if you suffered injuries from an improperly administered IV drip.
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