Hospital Negligence Leads to Chemical Burn During Cancer Treatment: Patient Awarded Apology and Compensation

Cancer treatment, while life-saving, can sometimes lead to unintended and devastating consequences. When hospital negligence results in a chemical burn during cancer treatment, patients may be entitled to an apology and compensation for their suffering. According to the American Burn Association (ABA), 450,000 serious burn injuries require medical treatment annually in the USA. This blog post explores the circumstances surrounding such incidents, the legal recourse available, and how to navigate the complexities of a medical negligence claim.

Understanding Chemical Burns During Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy involve potent chemicals that can cause harm if not administered correctly. While these treatments are designed to target and destroy cancer cells, they can also affect healthy tissue. In rare cases, medical negligence can exacerbate these side effects, leading to chemical burns and other serious complications.

Common Causes of Chemical Burns

Extravasation: This occurs when intravenous (IV) medications, particularly chemotherapy drugs, leak out of the vein and into the surrounding tissue. Calcium chloride, a drug used during stem cell transplants, can cause severe chemical burns if extravasation occurs.
Radiation Burns: Overexposure to radiation during radiation therapy can damage skin cells, leading to burns.
Improper Handling of Chemicals: Negligence in the handling, preparation, or administration of chemotherapy drugs can result in chemical burns.
Defective Equipment: Faulty medical equipment used during cancer treatment can malfunction and cause burns.

The Devastating Impact on Patients

A chemical burn can cause significant pain, blistering, and long-term tissue damage. In severe cases, it may require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and extensive rehabilitation. Beyond the physical trauma, such injuries can also lead to emotional distress, impacting a patient’s mental health and overall quality of life.

Legal Recourse for Chemical Burns Due to Hospital Negligence

If a patient sustains a chemical burn due to hospital negligence during cancer treatment, they may have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s negligence results in injury to a patient.

Establishing Negligence

To succeed in a medical malpractice claim, the patient must prove the following:

Duty of Care: The healthcare provider had a duty to provide a certain standard of care to the patient.
Breach of Duty: The healthcare provider breached this duty by failing to provide the appropriate standard of care.
Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the patient’s injuries (the chemical burn).
Damages: The patient suffered damages as a result of the injury, such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Types of Medical Negligence in Cancer Treatment

Several types of negligence can lead to chemical burns during cancer treatment:

Medication Errors: Administering the wrong medication, an incorrect dosage, or failing to monitor the patient for adverse reactions.
Improper IV Administration: Incorrect placement or management of IV lines, leading to extravasation.
Lack of Protocol Awareness: Failure to follow established protocols and guidelines for administering chemotherapy or other treatments.
Improper Skin Assessment: Failure to properly assess and monitor the patient’s skin during treatment, leading to delayed detection of burns.
Negligent Cancer Treatment: Providing care below the standard of care a reasonable doctor would have used in treating the patient’s cancer.

Seeking Compensation

If negligence is proven, the patient may be entitled to compensation for various damages, including:

Medical Expenses: Coverage for past and future medical bills, including surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and rehabilitation.
Lost Wages: Compensation for lost income due to the injury and recovery period.
Pain and Suffering: Damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by the burn.
Home Adaptations and Equipment: Costs for necessary home modifications or specialized equipment to accommodate the patient’s needs.
Care Costs: Compensation for household help or professional care required due to the injury.

Real-Life Examples

Several cases highlight the devastating consequences of hospital negligence leading to chemical burns during cancer treatment:

In June 2024, a man received an apology and compensation from an NHS Trust after suffering severe chemical burns due to an incorrectly inserted intravenous line during cancer treatment. The hospital admitted liability and implemented changes to prevent future occurrences.
Boyes Turner’s cancer negligence specialists secured a £122,000 compensation settlement for a client who suffered an extravasation injury whilst chemotherapy was being administered for breast cancer.

Preventing Chemical Burns During Cancer Treatment

Preventing chemical burns requires vigilance and adherence to strict protocols by healthcare providers.

Key Preventive Measures

Proper Training and Education: Ensuring that all healthcare staff involved in cancer treatment are adequately trained and educated on the proper administration and handling of chemotherapy drugs and other hazardous substances.
Adherence to Protocols: Strictly following established protocols and guidelines for medication administration, IV line placement, and patient monitoring.
Careful Skin Assessment: Regularly assessing and monitoring the patient’s skin for any signs of irritation, redness, or swelling.
Prompt Response to Patient Complaints: Immediately addressing any patient complaints of pain, burning, or discomfort during treatment.
Use of Appropriate Equipment: Utilizing appropriate equipment and ensuring that it is properly maintained and functioning correctly.

Advice for Patients

If you are undergoing cancer treatment, it’s essential to be proactive in protecting your health and well-being.

Steps to Take

Communicate with Your Healthcare Team: Report any unusual symptoms or discomfort to your healthcare team immediately.
Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask questions about your treatment plan, medications, and potential side effects.
Seek a Second Opinion: If you have concerns about your treatment, consider seeking a second opinion from another healthcare provider.
Keep Detailed Records: Maintain detailed records of your treatment, including medications, dosages, and any side effects you experience.
Know Your Rights: Understand your rights as a patient and the legal options available to you if you experience medical negligence.

Conclusion

Hospital negligence leading to chemical burns during cancer treatment can have devastating consequences for patients. While financial compensation can help cover medical expenses and other losses, it cannot undo the physical and emotional trauma caused by such injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a chemical burn due to hospital negligence during cancer treatment, seeking legal advice is crucial to understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.