IV therapy is one of the most common medical procedures in Florida hospitals, urgent care centers, and outpatient clinics. While usually routine, IV placement can sometimes result in IV infiltration or extravasation, where fluids or medication leak into surrounding tissue. These injuries can cause pain, tissue damage, infections, and, in severe cases, permanent disability or amputation.
If you or a loved one suffered harm from IV infiltration, you may wonder: Who is responsible—the nurse who placed the IV, the doctor overseeing care, or the hospital itself? In Florida medical malpractice law, liability often depends on the facts of the case and the relationships among the healthcare providers.
Nurse Liability
Nurses are usually the healthcare professionals responsible for starting and monitoring IVs. If a nurse fails to follow the accepted standard of care—such as inserting the IV incorrectly, failing to monitor for swelling or pain, or ignoring signs of infiltration—the nurse may be held personally liable for malpractice.
However, in practice, claims against individual nurses are often tied to the hospital or facility that employs them, under a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior (employer liability for employee negligence).
Doctor Liability
Doctors may also be held accountable for IV infiltration injuries if they:
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Ordered inappropriate IV medication or fluids,
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Failed to supervise the medical staff, or
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Ignored patient complaints and symptoms of infiltration.
If the physician is an employee of the hospital, the facility may share liability. If the physician is an independent contractor, separate claims against the doctor may be necessary. Determining the doctor’s role is an essential step in pursuing compensation.
Hospital or Facility Liability
Hospitals, surgical centers, and urgent care facilities in Florida can be liable for IV infiltration injuries in several ways:
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Vicarious liability: The hospital may be responsible for the negligence of its nurses, technicians, or employed physicians.
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Direct liability: The hospital may be directly at fault if it failed to properly train staff, maintain IV equipment, or implement safe patient monitoring procedures.
In many Florida cases, the hospital is the primary defendant because it is typically responsible for the actions of its staff and has the resources to pay damages.
Proving Liability in Florida Medical Malpractice Cases
To succeed in an IV infiltration malpractice claim, an injured patient must prove:
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The nurse, doctor, or hospital owed a duty of care.
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That duty was breached by failing to meet the accepted standard of care.
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The breach caused the IV infiltration injury.
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The patient suffered damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
Florida law also requires compliance with medical malpractice pre-suit requirements, including expert witness affidavits to establish negligence.
Conclusion
Determining liability for IV infiltration injuries in Florida often involves evaluating the roles of the nurse, doctor, and hospital. In many cases, more than one party may share responsibility. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to IV infiltration or extravasation, consulting with an experienced Florida medical malpractice attorney can help you identify the responsible parties and pursue rightful compensation.
Have you or someone you know been injured as a result of an IV infiltration/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 jp@yourattorneys.com or by text at (305) 929-8935.
