What Happened to X?
X suffered an extravasation injury whilst an inpatient at the Defendant Trust. An extravasation injury is where intravenous medication or fluids unintentionally leak into the tissue surrounding the vein. Such injuries are usually identifiable by pain, inflammation, swelling, blisters or burns, and can occur non-negligently.
After X suffered the injury, there was a delay in identifying it.
X suffered swelling and blisters on her arm as the result of the injury. She also suffered a considerable amount of pain, as after the injury was identified, she had her blood pressure taken over the blistered area.
Outcome for client
Sadly, X passed away not long after the injury and a family member contacted Moosa-Duke Solicitors to investigate the extravasation injury, which was not linked to her death.
Moosa – Duke Solicitors investigated the treatment and expert evidence proved that the extravasation injury occurred when X was administered sodium valproate. The evidence also proved that there was a delay in identifying the extravasation injury.
The outcome of the negligence
Moosa-Duke Solicitors’ investigations proved that the delay in identifying the injury resulted in:
- An additional week of pain and suffering for X, which was worsened by having her blood pressure taken over the affected area.
- Increased swelling.
- An increased amount of blisters.
These symptoms would have been avoided if the delay had not occurred.
Preventing future negligence – Lessons Learned
Moosa-Duke Solicitors achieved settlement for the family of X.
The Trust admitted that there was a delay in identifying the injury. They also stated that staff have been made aware of the signs of extravasation injury and the importance of not taking a patient’s blood pressure over such an injury so as to avoid causing additional pain and suffering.
Moosa-Duke Solicitors are an experienced team of specialist clinical negligence solicitors and have experience in dealing with cases related to extravasation injuries. Please call us for a no-obligation discussion on 0116 254 7456 or email us at enquiries@moosaduke.com.