When patients seek medical treatment, they trust healthcare providers to deliver safe and competent care. Unfortunately, when an intravenous (IV) line infiltrates or extravasates, it can result in devastating injuries — including tissue necrosis. In Florida, patients harmed by IV infiltration or extravasation may have a viable medical malpractice claim.
Below, we explain how these injuries occur, what necrosis means for patients, and the legal options available in Florida for those seeking compensation.
What Is IV Infiltration and Extravasation?
IV infiltration occurs when non-vesicant (non-harmful) fluids leak out of the vein into surrounding tissues.
IV extravasation refers to the leakage of vesicant (harmful or irritating) fluids or medications into the tissue.
Both situations can cause swelling, pain, and skin damage. In cases involving certain drugs or fluids, the leakage can cause necrosis, the death of body tissue.
How Necrosis Happens After IV Infiltration or Extravasation
When IV fluids or medications — particularly chemotherapy agents, high-concentration electrolytes, or vasopressors — leak outside the vein, they can destroy surrounding skin, fat, and muscle. Necrosis can occur within hours if the infiltration is severe and untreated.
Signs of necrosis may include:
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Severe pain or burning at the IV site
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Skin discoloration (white, dark, or purple areas)
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Blistering or ulceration
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Loss of sensation
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Open wounds or tissue sloughing
Necrosis often requires aggressive medical intervention, including surgical debridement, skin grafting, or even amputation.
Medical Malpractice and IV Injuries in Florida
In Florida, medical providers must follow accepted standards of care when administering and monitoring IVs. When they fail to do so, and a patient suffers necrosis, the provider may be liable for medical malpractice.
Potential acts of negligence leading to IV infiltration injuries include:
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Failing to properly insert the IV
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Using the wrong size or type of catheter
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Improperly securing the IV line
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Failing to monitor the IV site regularly
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Ignoring or delaying response to signs of infiltration or extravasation
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Administering vesicant drugs through peripheral IVs instead of central lines when indicated
If a healthcare professional fails to meet the standard of care, and necrosis results, the injured patient may be entitled to pursue damages under Florida law.
What Must Be Proven in a Florida IV Infiltration Malpractice Case?
To succeed in a medical malpractice case based on IV infiltration or extravasation in Florida, the patient must generally prove:
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Duty – The healthcare provider owed a duty to the patient.
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Breach – The provider breached the applicable standard of care.
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Causation – The breach directly caused the infiltration or extravasation, leading to necrosis.
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Damages – The patient suffered actual damages, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, or permanent disability.
Florida law also requires plaintiffs to complete pre-suit requirements under Chapter 766, Florida Statutes. This includes obtaining an expert medical opinion supporting the malpractice claim and serving notice on the prospective defendant(s) before filing suit.
Compensation for Necrosis Injuries in Florida
Victims of necrosis caused by IV infiltration or extravasation may be entitled to compensation for:
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Past and future medical expenses
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Pain and suffering
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Lost income and loss of future earning capacity
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Disfigurement and disability
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Emotional distress
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Loss of enjoyment of life
In severe cases, such as those requiring amputations or multiple reconstructive surgeries, damages can be significant.
Contact a Florida Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered necrosis after an IV infiltration or extravasation injury, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Florida imposes strict time limits (statutes of limitations) on medical malpractice claims, generally requiring action within two years of discovering the injury.
An experienced Florida medical malpractice lawyer can evaluate your case, gather necessary medical evidence, and pursue full compensation for your injuries.
Have you or someone you know been injured as a result of an IV infiltration or extravasation? Contact Florida Hospital and Medical Malpractice Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Miami Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at [email protected] or by text at (305) 929-8935.
