Chicago IV Infiltration Lawyer

Financial Compensation for IV Infiltration Injuries

If you or a loved one suffered harm in a Chicago hospital or other medical facility because a healthcare provider failed to properly insert or monitor an IV line, you may have the right to compensation. A dedicated Chicago IV Infiltration Lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can guide you through a medical malpractice claim and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Chicago Law Firm

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has extensive experience handling complex cases across Chicago and Illinois. Each case reflects our commitment to proving negligence, holding responsible parties accountable, and obtaining compensation for patient harm.

• $12,000,000 Settlement – James underwent cardiothoracic surgery at a leading hospital in Chicago, where errors caused brain injury and a below-the-knee amputation. The settlement reflected lifelong medical expenses, lost income, and severe complications, supported by expert testimony on the surgical team’s failure to meet accepted medical standards.
• $5,000,000 Settlement – Linda’s repeated chest x-rays at Chicago healthcare facilities revealed a growth that went unaddressed for two years. By the time it was diagnosed, her lung cancer was advanced. The settlement accounted for lost treatment opportunities, medical bills, and the emotional toll on her and her family.
• $2,700,000 Settlement – Anthony fell from his hospital bed at a major Chicago hospital due to inadequate monitoring after surgery. He suffered a closed-head injury requiring emergency surgery. The recovery addressed lost wages, lasting pain, and the hospital’s apparent breach of patient safety protocols.

What Makes Us the Best IV Infiltration Attorneys in Chicago

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our top-rated Chicago medical malpractice lawyers have recovered over $450 million in verdicts and settlements for clients across Illinois, earning recognition by Super Lawyers as some of the best medical malpractice attorneys in the city. 

Our track record includes securing significant recoveries for clients harmed by preventable errors in medical facilities. We work with leading medical experts to prove negligence, secure fair compensation, and guide clients through every step of the legal process—all backed by our commitment to results and client care.

Types of IV Infiltration Cases We Handle

Our best Chicago IV Infiltration Lawyers handle a wide range of cases. These include peripheral IV infiltration, where fluids leak into surrounding tissue, and peripheral venous catheter misplacement, which can cause serious complications. We represent patients harmed by medication extravasation, including chemotherapy and other vesicants that damage tissue. 

Cases also involve compartment syndrome after an IV injury, as well as IV burns and nerve injuries caused by improper insertion or monitoring. We also assist clients injured by cosmetic filler infiltration, pursuing compensation from responsible parties for the lasting physical pain.

What Are the Common Causes of IV Infiltration in Medical Settings?

IV infiltration stems from preventable errors by healthcare providers. These may include improper needle insertion or using the wrong angle, failing to secure the IV catheter, or neglecting to check the IV site for swelling, pain, or leakage. Without prompt action, infiltration can quickly worsen. 

Reusing the same site multiple times or delivering caustic or vesicant medications without proper central access also increases the risk of serious injury. In some Chicago hospitals, staffing shortages lead to delayed intervention, causing serious complications and the need to seek compensation.

What Injuries Can Result from IV Infiltration?

IV infiltration can lead to serious, sometimes permanent injuries. When fluids or medications damage the surrounding tissue, patients may develop tissue necrosis or skin ulcers that require surgical repair. Nerve damage can cause partial or total loss of function in the affected limb. Severe infiltration may trigger compartment syndrome, often requiring an emergency fasciotomy to prevent further harm. Infections such as cellulitis or abscesses can spread quickly, and in the most severe cases, amputation may be necessary. Many patients are left with permanent scarring, disfigurement, and chronic dysfunction following improper medical treatment or delayed intervention.

What Damages Can IV Infiltration Victims Recover in Chicago?

Victims of IV infiltration in Chicago may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover the measurable financial losses caused by the injury, such as past and future medical expenses for surgeries, reconstructive procedures, rehabilitation, and therapy. They may also include lost income and reduced future earning capacity when the injury limits a person’s ability to work.

Non-economic damages address the profound effect an injury can have on quality of life, such as physical pain, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of daily activities.

In rare but severe cases, punitive damages may be awarded. These are intended to punish a medical provider or healthcare facility for gross negligence or repeated safety violations, and to deter similar conduct in the future.

What Is the Average IV Infiltration Payout?

Based on Law.com’s VerdictSearch, IV infiltration cases have resulted in payouts ranging from $15,000 to $4,470,903, with an average award of $884,145 and a median of $582,000.

The value of a case depends on several factors:

• Severity of injury – Cases involving permanent disability, amputations, or severe complications such as compartment syndrome typically lead to higher awards.
• Extent of medical costs – Past and future costs for surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care significantly influence payouts.
• Impact on earning capacity – Lost wages and reduced ability to work increase economic damages.
• Degree of negligence – Evidence of gross negligence or repeated safety violations by a medical professional or healthcare provider can raise the settlement or verdict amount.
• Jurisdiction – Some venues may award higher compensation than others.

Example IV Infiltration Cases

$4,470,903 – IV Infiltration Causing CRPS

Michael Barbour developed complex regional pain syndrome after IV infiltration during a cardiac stress test. Evidence showed nurses failed to confirm catheter patency before administering medication. He endured failed pain treatments, surgery, and implantation of a spinal stimulator. The jury awarded damages for medical costs, lost earning capacity, and significant pain and suffering, along with $750,000 to his wife for loss of consortium.

$1,553,026 – IV Drug Extravasation Leading to Thumb Amputation

Johnnie Jackson suffered severe pain and swelling after IV administration of Demerol and Phenergan. Delayed removal of the IV and failure to alert his physician led to tissue damage and amputation of his thumb. He underwent multiple surgeries to save his hand. The jury awarded damages for past medical bills and $1.5 million for pain and suffering.

$1,080,000 – IV Infiltration in Infant Causing Leg Deformity

Asia Arnoux, a premature infant, sustained an IV infiltration that caused disfiguring scarring, leg-length discrepancy, and a tibial curve. The scarring also limited ankle movement. Evidence showed monitoring failures and altered medical records. Medical experts testified that the deformities would only minimally improve with surgery and that future corrective surgery would be required. The jury awarded damages for future medical costs and both past and future pain and suffering.

Why You Need an Experienced Chicago IV Infiltration Attorney

IV infiltration is a common, yet serious medical error. Proving malpractice often requires reconstructing medical protocols, monitoring logs, and expert testimony. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers provides the experience needed to navigate hospital defenses and secure fair compensation.

How Common Are IV Infiltration Injuries?

A study examining 3,476 peripheral IV catheters (PIVCs) found 113 cases of moderate to severe peripheral intravenous infiltration and extravasation (PIVIE), representing a 3.25% incidence rate. In a pilot trial using ivWatch on 21 PIVCs delivering high-risk vesicant solutions over 523.9 hours (21.83 days), there were 11 early-stage PIVIEs detected. The device identified 100% of cases before clinician confirmation, demonstrating strong potential for early intervention and prevention of infiltration-related harm.

A retrospective study of 479 patients with 495 IV infiltrations found the average age was 36.7 years, with the upper extremity involved in 89.6% of cases. Documented complications included superficial soft tissue infection (8.6%), necrosis or eschar formation (3.2%), and ulceration or full-thickness wounds (1.9%). Long-term defects occurred in 5.1% of cases, but none caused functional loss. Surgical consultation was needed in 25.3% of events, though emergent surgery was never required.

Another study of 441 patients and 497 IV sites reported phlebitis in 2.41% of sites, infiltration in 1.01%, and extravasation in 0.60%. Higher-risk groups included cancer patients, newborns, and older adults, underscoring that vulnerable populations remain at elevated risk for IV-related complications despite relatively low overall rates.

Where Do IV Infiltration Injuries Occur Most Often in Chicago?

In Chicago, IV infiltration is most often reported in major hospitals such as Northwestern Memorial, Rush University Medical Center, and the University of Chicago Medical Center, particularly in emergency departments and inpatient wards where IV medications and fluids are routinely administered. Ambulatory infusion clinics and dialysis centers throughout the city also see frequent incidents due to repeated venous access. 

Oncology infusion centers administering chemotherapy and other vesicants present added risks, as these drugs can cause severe tissue damage if infiltration occurs. Surgical recovery units and outpatient clinics across Chicago have also been linked to cases where improper IV insertion, poor monitoring of the IV site, or delayed response by medical professionals resulted in injury and lasting harm.

What Laws Govern IV Infiltration Malpractice in Chicago?

Illinois’ Hospital Licensing Act (210 ILCS 85/) sets minimum standards for hospital operations, staffing, and patient safety in Illinois. In IV infiltration cases, it can help establish whether a hospital failed to provide adequate staffing or proper protocols to prevent patient harm during medical procedures.

The Malpractice Act (225 ILCS 60/) governs physician licensing and conduct in Illinois. It outlines the professional standards doctors must follow when performing medical procedures, including IV insertions and monitoring. Violations of these standards can form the basis of a medical malpractice claim.

Illinois’ Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act (225 ILCS 65/) regulates nursing practice, defining the scope of duties and responsibilities for nurses and advanced practice nurses. In IV infiltration cases, it helps determine whether medical professionals met accepted nursing standards for IV insertion, site monitoring, and timely response to infiltration signs.

In the case of Hull v. Southern Illinois Hospital Services, No. 5-03-0800 (Ill. App. 5th Dist. 2005), involving radiology dye extravasation that caused neuropathy, the court addressed whether an affidavit of merit met 735 ILCS 5/2-622 requirements, shaping evidentiary standards in IV-related medical malpractice cases.

How Long Do I Have to File an IV Infiltration Claim Under Illinois Medical Malpractice Law?

Under 735 ILCS 5/13-212, most Illinois medical malpractice claims, including those for IV infiltration, must be filed within two years of when the patient knew or should have known of the injury, but no later than four years from the malpractice date. Exceptions apply under the discovery rule when injuries are not immediately apparent, as well as in cases involving minors, who generally have until their eighth birthday.

Who Is Legally Liable for IV Infiltration Injuries?

Legal liability for IV infiltration can extend to multiple parties. The administering nurse or technologist may be responsible for improper insertion, failure to secure the IV catheter, or inadequate monitoring of the IV site. 

Under respondeat superior, the hospital or medical facility can be held accountable for employee negligence. Liability may also fall on nursing staffing agencies supplying underqualified personnel, or on equipment and IV fluid manufacturers if defective or mislabeled products contributed to the injury.

Common Defenses in IV Infiltration Medical Malpractice Claims

In medical malpractice cases involving IV infiltration, defendants often argue that infiltration is an unavoidable medical risk. We counter this by showing how proper insertion, securement, and monitoring could have prevented the injury. Another defense is that pre-existing vascular conditions caused the harm. In response, we work with medical experts to prove that, even with such conditions, adherence to the standard of care would have avoided or minimized damage. 

Hospitals may claim the patient’s movement dislodged the IV catheter. We challenge this by reviewing medical records and staffing logs to show inadequate supervision or improper securement of the IV site. Facilities may also argue that staff identified and responded to infiltration promptly. We counter by presenting chart notes, witness testimony, and expert opinions demonstrating delays, protocol violations, or incomplete treatment—evidence that medical negligence directly led to significant harm and the need to seek compensation.

How to Strengthen Your IV Medical Malpractice Case

To strengthen your case, promptly document every symptom and complaint, including pain, swelling, or changes at the IV site. Request copies of all medical records, treatment logs, and nurse notes to capture details of care and monitoring. 

Photograph the site regularly to show the progression of injury. Preserve wound care instructions, specialist referrals, and related medical costs. This evidence helps your lawyer prove medical negligence, connect the injury to substandard care, and maximize your compensation.

How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help

A medical malpractice lawyer plays a vital role in building a strong IV infiltration case. Our team works with leading nursing and medical experts to evaluate whether healthcare providers met the accepted standard of care during your medical procedure. We handle the discovery process to obtain hospital protocols, staff training records, and internal incident reports that can help prove negligence. 

By thoroughly documenting your injuries, medical bills, lost income, and long-term care needs, we position your claim for the best possible outcome. Our goal is to secure financial compensation that addresses both your current and future recovery needs.

FAQs

How much does an IV infiltration lawyer cost in Chicago?

Hiring an IV infiltration lawyer from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers costs nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win your medical malpractice case.

Can IV infiltration result in wrongful death?

Yes. In severe cases, IV infiltration can lead to life-threatening complications such as sepsis, untreated compartment syndrome, or organ failure. If a patient dies as a result, their family may have grounds to file a wrongful death claim against the responsible healthcare providers or medical facility.

Consult a Chicago IV Infiltration Attorney Near You

If you or a loved one suffered an IV infiltration injury in Chicago, the experienced team at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is ready to help. Our top-rated Chicago IV Infiltration Lawyers represent clients across Cook County and throughout Illinois in medical malpractice cases involving hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. 

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation to review your situation, explain your legal options, and determine whether you can file a medical malpractice claim. Call us at (888) 424–5757 or fill out our contact form to schedule your free consultation.reflects your suffering.

Specific Cases We Handle

• Chicago Medical Misdiagnosis Lawyer
• Chicago Medication Error Lawyer
• Chicago Stroke Misdiagnosis Lawyer
• Chicago Surgical Error Lawyer
• Chicago Anesthesia Error Lawyer

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

We also serve clients from Buffalo Grove, Champaign, Naperville, Rockford and throughout Illinois.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.