If you or a loved one recently discovered that a hospital left an IV in your arm, you may be wondering whether you have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. This situation can be frightening and confusing, especially when it leads to pain, infection, or lasting damage. At Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC, our Maryland medical malpractice attorneys understand how distressing it can be to experience harm at the hands of trusted healthcare professionals.
In this article, we’ll explore what it means to file a hospital left IV in arm lawsuit in Maryland, how these cases work, what laws apply, and how our firm can help you pursue justice and compensation.
Understanding What Can Go Wrong with IV Management
Intravenous (IV) lines are used in hospitals every day to deliver fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into a patient’s bloodstream. While they’re generally safe, IVs require regular monitoring and must be removed or replaced within a certain timeframe to prevent complications.
When an IV is left in too long or when medical staff fail to check the insertion site properly, serious injuries can occur. Common examples include:
- Redness, swelling, or burning at the site of insertion;
- Nerve injury or tissue necrosis (death of skin tissue);
- Painful infiltration or leakage into surrounding tissue;
- Infection at the IV site or in the bloodstream; and
- Permanent scarring or loss of mobility.
If these symptoms develop after a hospital stay, it may be due to negligence. Hospitals and their staff have a duty to follow established safety procedures for IV placement and removal. Failure to do so may give rise to a hospital left IV in arm lawsuit.
How Long Can an IV Stay in Your Arm?
Patients commonly ask, “How long can an IV stay in your arm?” Peripheral IV catheters should be replaced every 72 to 96 hours, unless there’s a clinical reason to extend the dwell time. When an IV remains inserted for extended periods without proper monitoring, the risk of infection and inflammation increases significantly.
If a healthcare provider ignores signs of irritation, swelling, or infection, or fails to remove the IV within a safe timeframe, this could be considered a breach of the medical standard of care.
When a Mistake Becomes Medical Malpractice
To have a valid hospital left IV in arm lawsuit in Maryland, a patient must show that the hospital or medical staff acted negligently. In medical malpractice law, negligence means that a provider failed to meet the accepted “standard of care,” which is the level of care that a reasonably skilled professional would have provided under similar circumstances.
Examples of IV-related negligence include:
- Failing to remove or replace an IV within hospital policy timelines;
- Not monitoring the site for infection, pain, or leakage;
- Using improper insertion techniques or poor aseptic practices;
- Ignoring signs of infiltration or phlebitis; and
- Poor recordkeeping or communication among hospital staff
When such errors result in harm, the hospital or provider may be held legally responsible for damages such as medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost income.
Maryland’s Medical Malpractice Laws
In Maryland, medical malpractice claims, including those involving IV injuries, are subject to a statute of limitations. This law states that a lawsuit must be filed:
- Five years from the date of the injury, or
- Three years from the date the injury was discovered (or reasonably should have been discovered), whichever comes first.
There are exceptions for those who were minors at the time the malpractice occurred.
These deadlines are critical. Waiting too long to act can result in your case being dismissed, even if the hospital clearly made an error. That’s why it’s essential to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after discovering your injury.
In addition, Maryland law requires that medical malpractice claims include a certificate of merit from a qualified medical expert stating that the healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care. This step helps ensure that only legitimate cases move forward.
Possible Complications and Damages
When an IV is neglected or left in too long, the resulting complications can be severe. Some patients experience lingering pain and swelling, while others develop life-threatening infections. Extended IV use has been linked to bloodstream infections, phlebitis, and even MRSA.
IV mismanagement victims may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses (past and future),
- Pain and suffering,
- Lost wages or earning capacity,
- Rehabilitation or physical therapy,
- Long-term care needs, and
- Scarring or disfigurement.
In cases where the IV leads to infection or sepsis, your claim may also involve a hospital infection lawsuit, which can further strengthen your case for damages.
How Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC Can Help
At Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC, we handle complex medical malpractice cases across Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Our attorneys have extensive experience investigating hospital negligence, working with expert witnesses, and holding medical institutions accountable for their mistakes.
When you contact our team, we will:
- Review your medical records and timeline of events;
- Consult with medical experts to determine whether the standard of care was breached;
- Identify all liable parties, including hospitals, nurses, or supervising physicians;
- Calculate the full scope of your damages, including future care needs; and
- Pursue compensation through settlement or litigation, depending on what best serves your interests.
Our attorneys know how intimidating it can feel to take legal action against a hospital. That’s why we approach every case with compassion, transparency, and determination to secure the results our clients deserve.
Pursuing a Hospital Left IV in Arm Lawsuit
Discovering that a hospital left an IV in your arm can be both physically painful and emotionally overwhelming. You trusted a medical team to care for you, and instead, you suffered preventable harm.
If you believe negligence played a role in your injury, it’s essential to understand your rights and take timely action. A hospital left IV in arm lawsuit in Maryland can help you obtain compensation, hold the responsible parties accountable, and prevent similar mistakes from happening to others. At Brockstedt Mandalas Federico LLC, we’re committed to helping victims of medical negligence find answers and justice. Contact us for a free, confidential consultation to review your case and explain your legal options.
Phil Federico is a partner at Brockstedt Mandalas Federico where he helps lead the Mass Tort / Class Action and Environmental Law practices, transitioning into these areas after beginning his career as a medical malpractice litigator.
Phil has led and been involved in historic and groundbreaking litigation with verdicts and settlements exceeding one billion dollars.
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