Extravasation Injuries: When IV Treatment Goes Wrong

Extravasation injuries are not often discussed, but they can causes serious, long-lasting harm if not recognised and treated quickly. These injuries happen when a drug or fluid meant to go into a vein accidentally leaks into the surrounding tissue. For some patients, this can be incredibly painful and may even require surgery or lead to permanent damage. In some cases, extravasation injuries are a result of medical negligence.

What Is an Extravasation Injury?

Extravasation occurs when IV fluid — especially medication like chemotherapy, antibiotics, or contrast dye — leaks from a vein into the surrounding tissue. This can happen during a routine infusion or injection if the IV line is not properly inserted, or if it becomes dislodged without being noticed.

While mild cases may only result in swelling or discomfort, more serious extravasation injuries can lead to:

• Tissue damage or necrosis (skin and muscle death)
• Burns or blistering at the IV site
• Nerve damage
• Permanent scarring
• Reduced function of the affected limb

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These injuries are especially dangerous when vesicant drugs(those known to be toxic to tissues, like many chemotherapy agents) are involved.

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When Does an Extravasation Injury Become Medical Negligence?

It’s important to say that not every extravasation injury is caused by negligence — complications can happen even when care is appropriate. However, there are circumstances where poor care or delayed action by health care professionals may be considered negligent.

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Examples of potential negligence include:

• Poor IV placement – inserting the cannula incorrectly or using a vein unsuitable for the type of drug
• Lack of monitoring – failing to regularly check the site for signs of swelling, pain, or redness during infusion
• Ignoring patient complaints – not responding when a patient says they’re in pain or something feels wrong
• Delaying treatment – not stopping the infusion promptly when extravasation is suspected
• Using the wrong equipment – administering high-risk drugs through a peripheral line instead of a central line, when guidelines recommend otherwise

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These types of errors can often be avoided with proper training, attention, and procedures. If an injury was made worse because staff failed to follow accepted medical practice, it may form the basis of a clinical negligence claim.

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Signs You Might Have a Claim

If you’ve suffered an extravasation injury and suspect it could have been avoided, ask yourself:

• Were you warned about the risks before treatment started?
• Were staff attentive during the infusion and regularly checking the IV site?
• Did you report pain or swelling that wasn’t taken seriously?
• Was there a delay in stopping the infusion or starting treatment once the injury was identified?
• Have you been left with scarring, limited movement, or other lasting damage?

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If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you may benefit from speaking to one of our medical negligence solicitors. Many claims for extravasation-related injuries are handled on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning there’s no financial risk in seeking advice.

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Real Examples of Extravasation Negligence

In past claims, patients have successfully secured compensation where:

• Nurses failed to monitor a chemotherapy infusion, causing extensive tissue damage
• A patient’s warnings of pain were dismissed, leading to permanent scarring and mobility issues
• Incorrect use of an IV line caused a caustic drug to leak, requiring skin grafts and surgery

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In each case, these were injuries that could — and should — have been prevented.

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How We Can Help

At Tomlin and Partners, we specialise in helping people who’ve suffered harm due to substandard medical care. We understand that medical terms and procedures can be confusing — and we’re here to offer clear, compassionate legal support every step of the way.

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Our team can:

• Review your medical records to assess what went wrong
• Help you understand whether your care fell below acceptable standards
• Pursue compensation for pain, suffering, and any future treatment or rehabilitation you may need

Many of our cases are taken on a No Win No Fee basis.

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