Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers | October 14, 2025 | Medical Malpractice
Hospitals and clinics use intravenous (IV) therapy every day. Most of the time, it’s routine — fluid or medication goes into a vein, and everything works as expected. But when an IV is inserted incorrectly or slips out of the vein, it can cause serious injuries. This is called IV infiltration, and it can be dangerous if left untreated.
In many cases, infiltration causes little more than minor swelling and irritation. In others, however, it leads to nerve damage, tissue death, severe burns, or even amputation. The damage depends on what was infused, how long the IV was left running, and how quickly medical staff intervened once noticed.
When an IV infiltration leads to severe injury due to a medical professional’s negligence, it may constitute medical malpractice. This article will summarize the causes, signs, and severe consequences of IV infiltration and discuss when it may be considered malpractice.
What “Infiltrated IV” Really Means
An infiltrated IV happens when the needle or catheter punctures the vein or slips out, and the fluids being pumped in start leaking into the surrounding tissue. This is uncomfortable and can be medically devastating, especially if the fluid is a medication that irritates or kills cells on contact.
Chemotherapy drugs, some antibiotics, potassium, and calcium solutions are just a few examples of substances that can cause tissue necrosis if they infiltrate an IV. Once the tissue starts to die, it opens the door to infection, long-term disability, or surgical removal of the affected area.
IV Infiltration Signs Aren’t Always Obvious At First
One of the most dangerous aspects of IV infiltration is that the symptoms can be subtle at first, and medical professionals may fail to diagnose the issue. Patients may feel a slight burning or tightness around the IV site, and the area might look a little swollen or pale.
Signs of intravenous infiltration can include:
- Swelling around the IV site
- Cool or cold skin near the insertion area
- Blanching (skin turning pale or white)
- Tight or hard-feeling skin
- Burning, pain, or numbness
- Slowed or stopped IV flow
Nurses might brush off a patient’s complaint as normal IV discomfort until the damage is already done. Symptoms might also be hard for the patient to notice, especially if the patient is sedated or distracted by other pain. But symptoms can escalate quickly, often leading to severe injuries.
Infiltration Symptoms Can Lead to Life-Changing Injuries
As fluids continue to leak into tissue, symptoms go from uncomfortable to catastrophic. If the substance is toxic to soft tissue, it can cause chemical burns. If the pressure builds, it can cut off blood supply, leading to compartment syndrome — a medical emergency that often ends in surgery.
When nerves are affected, the damage can be permanent. Patients may lose feeling, grip strength, or mobility in the affected limb. In extreme cases, the only way to fix it is through amputation.
Hospitals Don’t Always Take Responsibility
In a perfect world, hospitals would document these injuries properly and correct any mistakes made by their staff. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Some try to dodge the blame by passing IV infiltration off as a “known risk” or downplaying the severity. But that doesn’t erase the damage, and it certainly doesn’t undo the harm to the patient.
These aren’t just freak accidents. The healthcare workers have a duty to monitor IV sites closely and respond immediately when something goes wrong. When they don’t and the patient gets hurt, they can be held legally liable for financial losses.
Contact Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation With Our Charleston Medical Malpractice Attorneys
The consequences of an IV infiltration can derail a person’s life in ways people never see coming. It can be prevented with proper care and attention from doctors and nurses. But when trust in the medical system is broken, the patients are the ones who suffer.
At Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers, our attorneys are here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free consultation with our Charleston medical malpractice lawyers.
For more information, please contact an experienced lawyer at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Columbus, OH, and Charleston, WV.
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