One of the most common procedures you will undergo in a hospital is IV placement. Even for routine treatments and emergency room procedures, IV placement is often a first-line treatment. IVs are also important for diagnostic procedures like CT scans and MRIs. They are used to eliminate and prevent dehydration, to administer pain medication and to prevent anaphylaxis or blood clots. Yet, even though IV procedures are common, incorrect and unsanitary IV placement can happen, leaving patients with devastating — if not permanent — injuries.
At the Law Office of James H. Guest, in Colorado. We’ve seen the devastation IV placement errors can cause victims and their loved ones. For more than 27 years, we’ve helping patients throughout the Denver area and the state seek compensation for serious and life-threatening injuries caused by hospital negligence or the inattentiveness of hospital staff.
Common Causes And Injuries Associated With IV Complications
There are a number of forms of negligence that can cause IV placement errors, including but not limited to:
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Inexperience putting in an IV
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Inadequate or improper training on how to put in an IV
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Nurse dismisses patient’s complaint regarding pain or misplacement
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Nurse fails to insert IV in new location despite a failed first attempt
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Failure to place an IV in a safer location
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Neglecting to replace or relocate an IV after patient receives emergency care
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Failure to monitor the insertion site for signs of inflammation, infiltration or infection
At the first sign of IV infiltration or a serious complication, nurses should have the wherewithal to act quickly and remedy the situation. Unfortunately, nurses who are negligent in their duties can leave patients suffering from serious or life-threatening injuries:
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Nerve damage — resulting in numbness, weakened muscles, mobility issues and/or chronic pain
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Serious infections — resulting in severe tissue damage or necrosis
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Stroke — resulting in brain damage, loss of mobility and other complications
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Brain damage — resulting in permanent disability and other complications
You May Be Entitled To Compensation For Short- And Long-Term Treatment
Whether your recovery takes weeks or years, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. We will seek compensation for lost wages, hospital bills, surgeries and ongoing treatment such as:
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Physical and occupational therapy
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Pain control with narcotics or nerve blocks
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Nerve stimulation therapy
Attorney James H. Guest has considerable experience helping victims of IV placement mistakes recover the compensation they need to cover the full cost of their injuries.
Do You Need Help Filing A Claim?
Hospital staff must follow proper medical procedures when placing and caring for an IV. When hospital staff deviate from these procedures, or if procedures do not adequately protect patients, innocent lives can be affected.
Our lawyers will personally handle all aspects of your case, from beginning to end, to make sure you stay focus on what’s important: recovering and getting back to your life.
To schedule a free initial consultation, call the Law Office of James H. Guest, L.L.C., or contact us online. Our contingency fee billing means you don’t owe us anything if we aren’t successful in securing compensation for you and your family.