Lying in a hospital bed, you are vulnerable and seek comfort. It’s unimaginable to find yourself in more pain due to a procedure meant to help you.
Unfortunately, this unsettling experience is a reality for many patients suffering from IV infiltration—a condition where intravenous fluids intended to aid in recovery end up causing harm instead.
If you sustained injuries due to IV infiltration, it’s essential to understand that you do have options. The path to seeking justice can be intricate and challenging.
Exploring these options is about addressing the immediate pain and understanding your legal rights and potential recourse.
Read on to learn more about the complexities of IV infiltration, what it means for your health, and how you might seek compensation for the injuries you endured.
If you have questions, please contact our Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers today.
What Is Infiltration of an IV?
IV infiltration occurs when the intravenous fluid intended for delivery into the vein leaks out into the surrounding tissue. This can happen due to various factors, including dislodging of the IV catheter, vein damage, or malfunctioning IV equipment.
The fluid intended to support your treatment injures you because it accumulates in the tissues outside the vein. While it may sound like a minor issue, IV infiltration leads to severe complications, including swelling, pain, and even long-term tissue damage.
Recognizing the seriousness of this issue is critical to understanding the medical and legal steps you may need to take.
What Causes IV Infiltration?
Identifying IV infiltration signs and seeking appropriate IV infiltration treatment is crucial to addressing the issue effectively. The common symptoms and the corresponding treatments of IV infiltration include:
- Swelling. The most noticeable sign of IV infiltration is swelling around the IV site. It occurs as fluid accumulates in the tissue surrounding the vein instead of being absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Discoloration. The affected area may change color, appearing red, pale, or bruised. Discoloration indicates that the tissue is reacting to the infiltrated fluid.
- Pain or tenderness. Symptoms of IV infiltration often cause victims to experience varying degrees of pain or tenderness at the infiltration site. Depending on the extent of the infiltration, discomfort from this pain and tenderness ranges from mild to severe.
- Coolness or hardness. Due to fluid accumulation and tissue reaction, the skin around the IV site may feel cooler or harder than the surrounding area.
If you suffered these symptoms that your doctor or medical professional ignored, an attorney can help you with a potential medical malpractice lawsuit.
When dealing with IV infiltration, it’s crucial to promptly address the issue to prevent complications and ensure patient comfort. The treatment of IV infiltration involves several key steps.
- I.V. fluids must be immediately discontinued. The first action is to stop the fluid infusion to prevent further leakage and assess the damage.
- Elevation of the affected area. Raising the affected limb helps reduce swelling and facilitate fluid reabsorption.
- Application of compresses. Warm or cool compresses may be applied to alleviate pain and swelling.
- Medical evaluation. Continuous monitoring and assessment by healthcare professionals are essential to determine the extent of the damage and the need for additional treatment.
- Documentation and follow-up. Detailed records of symptoms and treatment are important for medical management and potential legal claims.
Your attorney begins working to gather evidence of the steps taken upon discovery of the IV infiltration and uses this to build a strong case on your behalf.
Damages a Victim May Receive in Maryland
If you suffered injuries from IV infiltration in Maryland and are considering legal action, it’s essential to understand the damages you may be entitled to receive.
In a successful medical malpractice case, damages cover various aspects, including:
- Medical expenses—compensation for the costs incurred due to the infiltration, including additional treatments, surgeries, medications, and follow-up care;
- Pain and suffering—damages for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the infiltration;
- Lost wages—compensation for lost income due to your inability to work during your recovery period; and
- Loss of quality of life—damages for permanent changes in your lifestyle or limitations in your daily activities.
Damages aim to provide a comprehensive remedy for the harm suffered and to restore, as much as possible, the quality of life you had before the incident.
Contrastingly, a court may award punitive damages if the negligence is deemed egregious. Punitive damages seek not to compensate a victim, but to punish the responsible party and deter similar conduct in the future.
Statute of Limitations for IV Infiltration Cases in Maryland
Maryland has specific time limits for filing a medical malpractice claim, including IV infiltration cases. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations.
For most medical malpractice cases in Maryland, the statute of limitations is five years from the date of the injury or three years from the date of discovering the injury, whichever comes first.
However, there are rare exceptions to the statute of limitations. Consult with a legal professional with experience in medical malpractice to determine whether an exception applies in your case.
Timely consultation with an attorney is critical to safeguarding your rights and potential remedies.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Baltimore Today
At the law firm of Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico, we understand how difficult it can be to process your experience and make sense of being harmed by a medical professional who was supposed to protect and heal you.
Our trial-tested experience and results-driven mindset prepare us for all your case’s potential complexities. Our team of dedicated medical malpractice litigators helps you or your loved one get the justice you deserve.
Contact us today by phone or email to learn more about how the attorneys at Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico can achieve the best possible outcome in your case.