Central Venous Catheter (Central Line) and Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt (V-P Shunt) Medical Negligence Lawyer

When you or a family member goes to the hospital, the last thing you probably think of is the possibility of negligence on behalf of the medical staff. Central lines aka CVCs and V-P Shunts are relatively routine procedures at most hospitals, but present significant dangers if mishandled or taken lightly by the health care professionals placing and monitoring them. A Central Venous Catheter (CVC) is routine for most surgical patients and is placed into a large vein and needed when medications or fluids cannot be taken by mouth, and for monitoring certain pressures and are typically large bore catheters needed when smaller vein are inadequate and that could be damaged.

A ventriculoperitoneal shunt (V-P shunt) is a device that treats a condition called hydrocephalus, which is a condition that occurs when too much spinal fluid collects in the brain. The VP shunt is placed in a small hole drilled in the skull behind the patient’s ear which allows the fluid to drain to the abdominal cavity to be reabsorbed into the body.

If you or a family member was seriously injured due to an incorrectly inserted, fractured or infected CVC or VP shunt Rohde Law Office in West Covina and Claremont wants to hear from you today at (626) 593-5786.

CVC and VP Shunt cases are often fatal and if negligence is involved predominately fall into the following four categories:

1. Placement: Negligently placement of the CVC tip too deep, most often in the heart’s right atrium which can lead to catheter tip eroding through the atrium into the pericardial sac and then resulting in pericardial effusion which can escalate into an emergency condition known as cardiac tamponade if not diagnosed and treated quickly.
2. Insertion: Negligent use or failure to use real-time ultrasound guidance and/or x-ray fluoroscopy as guidance in inserting the catheter into the intended venous vessel can result in inadvertent insertion into an arterial vessel which can lead to stroke.
3. Infection: Negligently failing to monitor the catheter insertion site and/or failing to remove & replace the CVC per hospital guidelines resulting in infection which if not diagnosed and treated quickly can result in sepsis / septic shock and death.
4. Fracture / Breakage: A VP Shunt can be inadvertently fractured / broken during non-related surgeries such as cholecystectomy or gallbladder removal surgery whereby the surgeon failures to locate and protect the distal shunt tubing during instrument (trocar) insertion and failing to identify the broken catheter before closing and discharging the patient home.

Determining Liability

For most people, it’s nearly impossible to determine if any sort of negligence has taken place due to the highly technical nature of these procedures, and the circumstances involved in each case. That’s why it’s important for you to discuss your case with an attorney who understands the unique aspects of CVC and VP shunt procedures and the potential negligence that could have caused injury or death.

If you or a loved one suffered from suspected medical malpractice involving any of the above scenarios please call attorney Richard R. Rohde at the Rohde Law Office now at (626) 593-5786 or contact us today. We have successfully handled these cases and are ready to review your particular situation to determine if you have a viable claim and advise you how to pursue your case. Attorney Richard R. Rohde, Esq., is a medical malpractice lawyer with offices in West Covina and Claremont, working with clients who’ve suffered a loss caused by negligence involving CVC and VP Shunt injury liability, and can help evaluate & pursue your claim. Mr. Rohde has over 15 years’ experience working with clients in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Bernardino and Riverside counties and is the practitioner that other lawyers throughout the state call on when they have cases of negligence and medical malpractice.