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Children and Infants IV Infiltration Negligence

An IV infiltration or extravasation injury to a child during their hospitalization can inflict profound emotional and physical trauma on both the child and their family. The vulnerability of children, particularly infants, coupled with the trust placed in medical professionals to provide competent and compassionate care, amplifies the devastation experienced when medical errors occur. Parents entrust their precious children to the expertise of healthcare providers with the expectation that every precaution will be diligently observed to safeguard their well-being. However, when medical injuries befall children, the consequences can be dire, with potentially severe and even fatal outcomes. The toll of such incidents extends far beyond the immediate physical harm, often causing enduring psychological distress and disrupting the fabric of family life.

If you suspect that your infant has suffered harm due to medical negligence, it is crucial to take decisive action to protect their rights and seek justice. By consulting with a reputable legal firm like Burnside Law Firm LLP, you can gain invaluable insight into your child’s legal rights and explore avenues for pursuing compensation and accountability. Our dedicated team of attorneys specializes in advocating for the rights of children and their families, offering compassionate support and expert guidance throughout the legal process. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for assistance in navigating the complexities of medical malpractice claims and securing the redress your child deserves.

Burnside Law Firm LLP offers legal advice concerning IV infiltration injury and IV therapy injury cases. Call (706) 432-8320 or contact us by e-mail for an initial investigation of your case.

IV Infiltration Standard of Care

When it comes to IV therapy, hospitals and medical professionals have a duty to follow certain standards of care to protect patients, especially infants, from IV infiltration and extravasation injuries. These standards of care include:

  • Following proper procedures for IV placement
  • Following proper procedures for IV insertion
  • Frequent monitoring and assessment of IV site
  • Apply transparent dressing over IV site
  • Proper securing of IV catheter to extremity
  • Diligence in checking IV site for coolness, swelling, or color change
  • Ensure proper function (infusion or flow) of IV fluids
  • Checking for signs of infiltration

Case example: A 9-month-old infant was admitted to the hospital with congestion and flu-like symptoms, and an intravenous line was placed in her hand. Twelve hours later, her left hand and forearm were swollen with edema, and she was unable to move her fingers and hand due to pain. She was diagnosed with compartment syndrome and ultimately required skin grafting on her hand and a fasciotomy incision from her wrist to her elbow to restore adequate blood flow and avoid amputation. The injury was due to the duty nurse’s failure to assess the IV site over an 8-12 hour period. If the nurse had followed the standard of care and provided hourly assessments of pediatric IV sites, these injuries would have been prevented entirely.

IV Infiltration and Infant IV Burns

IV infiltration and extravasation injuries to children can be more severe and harder to detect than injuries to adults. Children are not as alert to problems and cannot express pain or irritation the same as adults. Often, they cry because the IV hurts, but the medical staff attributes their crying to something else and fails to check the IV site. As a result, IV infiltration or extravasation can go undetected for a longer period of time if a timely assessment of the IV site is not performed. The longer harmful fluids are allowed to infiltrate the tissues surrounding the IV site rather than the bloodstream, the worse the injury can become.

Pediatric hospitals, neonatal care units and other medical facilities measure the severity of IV infiltration injuries on a common scale of 0 to 4.

  • 0 = No symptoms
  • 1 = Skin blanched, edema < 1 inch in any direction, cool to touch, with or without pain
  • 2 = Skin blanched, edema 1 to 6 inches in any direction, cool to touch, with or without pain
  • 3 = Skin blanched, translucent; gross edema > 6 inches in any direction; cool to touch; mild to moderate pain; possible numbness
  • 4 = Skin blanched, translucent; skin tight, leaking; skin discolored, bruised, swollen; gross edema > 6 inches in any direction; deep pitting tissue edema; circulatory impairment; moderate to severe pain; infiltration of any amount of blood product, irritant or vesicant

Scale 4 infiltration injuries are the most severe and can result in severe burns, skin grafts, nerve damage, long-term scarring, disability and even loss of the affected limb.

Do You Suspect IV Negligence?

For individuals without a background in medical training or experience, navigating the complexities surrounding an IV infiltration injury can be an overwhelming and daunting task. Assessing the quality of care provided and discerning whether there has been a breach of the standard of care demands a nuanced understanding of medical procedures and protocols. Our team of experienced attorneys at Burnside Law Firm recognizes the challenges inherent in such situations and stands ready to provide comprehensive support and guidance. Leveraging our legal experience and familiarity with medical terminology, we meticulously review the available evidence and medical documentation pertaining to your case.

We consult thoroughly with witnesses and expert witnesses, including healthcare professionals, to gain insights into the injury’s circumstances and evaluate the standard of care provided. Drawing upon our medico-legal knowledge and extensive experience handling medical malpractice claims, we strive to ascertain whether you have a viable cause of action against the negligent parties involved, whether doctors, nurses or the hospital itself. Throughout the process, our attorneys remain committed to offering clear and transparent guidance, empowering you with the information needed to decide the best course of action. We prioritize your rights and interests, advocating tirelessly on your behalf to secure the justice and compensation you deserve in the aftermath of an IV infiltration injury.

If you suspect medical negligence, do not hesitate to contact our Athens or Augusta, Georgia, legal team. Our lawyers offer experienced, strategic advocacy in cases involving IV infiltration injury and IV extravasation injury to children. Call 800-(706) 432-8320 or contact us by e-mail for an initial consultation.

Contact Us

Augusta

2919 Professional Pkwy

Augusta, GA, 30907

Phone: (706) 432-8320

Athens

325 North Milledge Avenue

Athens, GA, 30601

Phone: (706) 227-4264

We have recovered tens of millions in settlements and verdicts

The attorneys at Burnside Law Firm LLP have over 30 years of collective experience handling personal injury claims. Over that time, we have helped hundreds of injured people recover the compensation they deserve and need in order to begin putting their lives back together. This list is just a sample of the recoveries we have obtained for some of our clients here and during our time at our former firm, Burnside Wall LLP. Obviously, success in obtaining significant judgments and settlements for other clients is no guarantee of success in your case. Each case must be evaluated and handled based on the individual merits of that particular case. To discuss the facts of your case and learn more about your legal rights, contact one of the personal injury attorneys at Burnside Law Firm LLP for a free initial consultation.

Commercial Vehicle/Death

$6,000,000

Auto Accident/Death

$5,000,000

Workplace Accident/Leg Injury

$1,800,000

Medical Malpractice/Surgery Complication

$1,000,000

Medical Malpractice/IV Procedure Error

$1,000,000

Premises/Fall

$700,000

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Meet The Team

Thomas R. Burnside III Personal Injury Attorney

Thomas R Burnside III

Thomas R. Burnside III is a personal injury lawyer who focuses his law practice on the representation of individuals who have suffered injury as a result of automobile collisions, trucking accidents, medical malpractice, work related accidents or other causes. With over 20 years of experience in personal injury law at both the trial and appellate court levels, Attorney Burnside has represented people with brain and head trauma...

Meet Thomas Burnside
Garon Muller Personal Injury Attorney

Garon Muller

Garon Muller is a trial lawyer who focuses his law practice on the representation of individuals who have been seriously injured or damaged through the negligence or recklessness of others, including automobile collisions, workplace injuries, premises injuries, or defective products. Before beginning his practice in the representation of injured individuals, Mr. Muller served the community as an Assistant District Attorney...

Meet Garon Muller
Robert MacGregor

Robert MacGregor

Robert MacGregor is an experienced trial attorney licensed to practice law in Georgia and South Carolina. At the Burnside Law Firm, Robert devotes his practice to protecting the rights of individuals who have been injured because of someone else’s carelessness, negligence, or recklessness and represents those who have been injured in automobile collisions or tractor-trailer accidents; because of a slip and fall; and in other general negligence actions.

Meet Robert MacGregor

Ashton Revollo

Ashton is a trial lawyer in Augusta, GA who focuses his law practice on the representation of individuals who have suffered serious injuries or damages due to the negligent or reckless conduct of others, including automobile wrecks, job-related accidents, unsafe premises, or defective
products. Before beginning his practice, Ashton obtained his J.D., at Emory University School of Law, where he gained valuable courtroom experience as an intern assisting the District Attorney for DeKalb
County. After his time at Emory, Ashton received experience as a trial attorney at a respected personal injury firm in Atlanta before moving to Augusta. Over the course of his career, Ashton has assisted deserving clients in recovering millions of dollars in injury cases throughout Georgia.

Meet Ashton Revollo

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After my car accident they helped me every step of the way! They were up front and answered any questions I had! They negotiated the insurance and got a higher settlement than was offered! I would definitely use them again!

Debbie Walker

In November 2017, I was in a car accident and I decided to seek out legal assistance. I chose to go with Burnside Law Firm, LLP because of their five star rating. My inital consultation was with attorney, Mr. Garon Muller. I knew immediately that I wanted Mr. Muller to take my case. His professionalism and expertise in personal injury made my decision easy. Mr. Muller maintained his professionalism throughout my case. He kept me updated on a regular basis via telephone or email. He was always available to me when I call. I did not have to wait 24 hours to get a call back from him. I would greatly recommend Mr. Muller and the Burnside Law Firm, LLP.

Rick Estep

Burnside Law Firm is who you want to represent you. Mr. Muller came to our house for a free consultation without hesitation. He guided us and overcame every obstacle we encountered. He secured the maximum insurance limits for us and we couldn't be more happy. If you are injured, DO NOT attempt to recoup compensation without the expertise of a trusted, skilled and able law firm to be your voice. THANK YOU MR. MULLER!!!

Alexander Hughes

Garon Muller with Burnside Law Firm makes client satisfaction his priority. Mr. Muller made sure that I had a lucid understanding during every discussion. He never made a decision without my input and made me feel like we were partners. Garon Muller was very professional and push for the maximum dollar amount from the insurance company. Me and my family considered ourselves blessed to have been represented by Garon Muller with Burnside Law Firm. We highly recommend Garon Muller and Burnside Law Firm! Burnside Law Firm staff are exceptional and exceeded our expectations.

Lynn Eldridge

I have known the Burnside family for many years. Recently Thomas was most helpful in getting my check following an auto collision. I highly recommend their firm.

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I definitely felt comfortable in there hands really good people.

Jacob Clements

Very very good law firm. Went above and beyond to make things right. Highly reccomend.

Barbara Huskinson

Burnside Law did what they said they would do. Garon Muller was great in communicating and looked out for my best interest in getting what was fair in my settlement. I would recommend Burnside to anyone.

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    Augusta

    2919 Professional Pkwy

    Augusta, GA, 30907

    Phone: (706) 432-8320

    Athens

    325 North Milledge Avenue

    Athens, GA, 30601

    Phone: (706) 227-4264