Virginia Needle Stick Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Administering injections and inserting intravenous lines is one of the most elementary skills for doctors and nurses. This is used for everything from taking routine blood samples, to providing vaccines, to keeping a patient hydrated. Yet despite the simple nature of these procedures, mistakes are common.
When a needle is improperly used by a medical professional, it can cause a patient to suffer needless injuries. These injuries can exacerbate an already serious condition or can present with an entirely new set of symptoms. If you have suffered complications after a needle stick, you may have the right to demand compensation.
A Virginia needle stick medical malpractice lawyer may be able to help. They work with clients to understand the effect of poor care on their health. They then apply these facts to Virginia’s laws concerning medical malpractice. The goal of a dedicated malpractice attorney is to stand up to negligent medical providers and to obtain the compensation that you deserve.
Needle Sticks as a Source of Malpractice
Administering medications and taking samples through the use of hypodermic needles is a core proficiency expected of all medical professionals. Inserting a needle into a vein or artery, or simply injecting into the muscle is an invasive procedure. As a result, extreme care needs to be taken to ensure that this is properly done.
Any failure to do so can have serious consequences. Something as minor as tearing a vein during insertion or removal of an IV line can cause serious bleeding, especially in cases where a patient is already on blood thinners. Further, missing the vein during insertion can cause severe pain and the misapplication of medicine.
Finally, if any air becomes trapped in the IV line or syringe, this can result in an air bubble being forced into a person’s blood steam. These air bubbles can cause serious circulatory problems. Any of these complications that can result from improper needle sticks can be the basis for a medical malpractice claim.
Medical Malpractice in Virginia
Medical malpractice cases are similar to many others that allege personal injury. All medical providers have a duty to care for their patients with a certain level of skill. According to Code of Virginia §8.01-581.20, all practitioners must meet a “…degree of skill and diligence practiced by a reasonably prudent practitioner in the field of practice of specialty,” in Virginia.
In other words, that they acted as a reasonable medical provider should be expected to behave. In something as elementary as a needle stick, this is a very high level of competence. Any failure to perform may be considered medical negligence.
To prove a case of negligence, a plaintiff needs to consult with a medical expert. This expert can both testify at trial as to how the defendant doctor’s actions caused the injury and as to how this qualifies as malpractice under Virginia law.
Regardless of the exact type of injury, all medical malpractice cases in Virginia are controlled by the statute of limitations. According to Code of Virginia §8.01-243, all cases alleging personal injury must be in court within two years of the date of harm. This is a very short time, so potential plaintiffs should act quickly.
How a Virginia Needle Stick Medical Malpractice Attorney Can Help
Even a relatively simple medical procedure such as the administration of medication through the use of a hypodermic needle can have disastrous consequences if done incorrectly. Injuries here can range from painful bruising and swelling, to intense bleeding, to permanent vein damage.
When a medical professional performs this duty negligently and causes an injury, that patient has the right to demand compensation.
A Virginia needle stick medical malpractice lawyer could help clients in Virginia to investigate and file cases alleging medical malpractice. They work to evaluate the actions of doctors and nurses that led to the injury, to consult with medical experts, and to present cases to juries that ask for maximum compensation. Contact an attorney today to schedule a consultation.