Medical Malpractice /

Missed/Deleayed Diagnoses

Missed / Delayed Diagnosis

The attorneys at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, represent victims and their families who have been damaged by medical error and misdiagnosis. A medical misdiagnosis is just as dangerous as any operating room mishap or prescription mistake. If a patient is misdiagnosed, he or she may be forced to live with a time sensitive ailment such as cancer or heart problems. He or she may be subjected to incorrect or unnecessary surgery, or may be prescribed medications that cause new conditions or complications. A missed or delayed diagnosis can occur with many conditions including the following:

  • Heart problems
  • Pregnancy complications
  • Blood clots or DVT (Deep Venous Thrombosis)
  • Non-malignant tumors
  • Cancer

One of the most common forms of medical misdiagnosis involves cancer. With cancer, it is important to have an early diagnosis. Failure to diagnose cancer in its early stages, or a delay in diagnosing cancer until the cancer has reached an advanced stage, has serious consequences. A missed or delayed diagnosis of cancer is a common occurrence that can lead to spread of the cancer, causing disfiguring surgery, unnecessary chemotherapy and radiation therapy and, in some cases, death. If you have been diagnosed with cancer that you feel should have been previously diagnosed, you may be the victim of medical malpractice.

Medical mistakes can cause curable cancers to remain untreated and to worsen. A cancer misdiagnosis also has the potential to cause victims to develop other physical and psychological conditions that require future treatment, contributing to financial hardship and severely inhibiting the victims’ ability to sustain meaningful employment.

 

CANCER MISDIAGNOSIS CAN MOST FREQUENTLY BE ATTRIBUTED TO:

  • A non-cancerous (or benign) tumor is identified as cancerous (malignant)
  • A cancerous lesion is missed in the biopsy procedure
  • A cancerous mass is diagnosed as benign
  • Failure to refer a patient to a specialist for further testing
  • A cancerous tumor is misclassified as to type or misgraded as to aggressiveness
  • Specimens are mishandled by pathology, or improperly read or interpreted
  • Failure to follow up with a patient if cancer should have been suspected
  • Failure to adequately screen for increased risk patients (age/ethnicity/family or personal history/gender)
  • Failure to understand or notice the nature of a patient’s complaints

If you or someone you know suffered serious health problems or death as a result of an erroneous or delayed diagnosis, call the trial lawyers of Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, now at (253) 383-5388 or click here to submit a free case review. Let our experience work for you. Our initial consultation is free of charge and we only get paid for our services if you receive monetary compensation.

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At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC we have the skill and experience to take on a wide range of personal injury cases throughout Washington state. From motor vehicle accidents to workplace injuries – our reputation and success rates keep opposing counsel on edge.

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Winning is when clients get the closure and compensation they deserve. We haven’t settled for less in the last sixty plus years. And we won’t for the next sixty.

$835,000
A young woman was the victim of medical malpractice as a result of the delayed diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis. Complications from her burst appendix caused the loss of an ovary and her fallopian tubes resulting in her inability to become pregnant.
$700,000
Client was a victim of medical malpractice for the failure to timely diagnose lung cancer. He ultimately experienced a wrongful death because it was too late to treat his cancer.
$625,000
Client was the victim of medical malpractice and suffered a wrongful death resulting from a failure to diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm in the emergency room.
$325,000
Medical malpractice claim against a medical facility for failing to timely diagnose an urgent medical condition causing the client to suffer further injury that could have been prevented.
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We have answers to some of the most common Washington personal injury questions. These are resources for injury victims.

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Do I need a lawyer to file a personal injury lawsuit?

It is not necessary to retain a lawyer to file your personal injury lawsuit. You should base your decision to involve an attorney on a reasonable assessment of the pros and cons. Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC is a highly reputable personal injury law firm that has served Washington since 1959. We deliver value to our clients that far outweighs the fees we collect. But before you retain any attorney, you have to be satisfied that the benefits exceed the costs. We offer these points for your consideration.

 

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What is the statute of limitations in Washington for personal injury?

A statute of limitations is state law; throughout the country, different states set different time limits for identical causes of action. Within each state, different causes of action have different time limits. In Washington, for personal injury lawsuits, the statute of limitations is three years.

 

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How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?

The great advantage of filing a personal injury lawsuit is that most attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis. That means that rather than charging upfront legal fees or an hourly rate, the attorney works without compensation until the case resolves through a jury verdict or settlement. At that time, the attorney takes a percentage of the award. The contingency fee arrangement helps plaintiffs who could not otherwise afford the costs of civil litigation to pursue just compensation without worrying about expenses. It also means that your ability to retain an excellent lawyer does not depend on your ability to pay, but rather on the attorney’s assessment of the strength of your case, or the importance of delivering justice to someone in your particular circumstances.

 

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How do I file a personal injury lawsuit in Washington state?

At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, we want our clients to have an accurate picture of what a personal injury lawsuit entails. The process is rarely quick and easy; defense counsel and insurance companies often employ delay tactics to wear a plaintiff down. We offer this page as a primer for anyone who has a cause of action and is considering a personal injury lawsuit.

 

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  • Our experience with Dan Kyler and Vern Harkins was excellent from the beginning and we were very satisfied with the end results.
  • Dan Kyler and Mike Fisher were professional and dedicated throughout the entire process. I would recommend this law firm to anyone.
  • Vern Harkins perseverance and hard work made it possible to get the maximum settlement from the insurance company. I know he had my interest in mind as demonstrated by his actions.
  • Dan Hannula’s hard work helped to settle my auto accident case.
  • Michael was outstanding. He was always professional, prepared, available for questions, and on top of my case. I highly recommend him and will always consider him to be my first choice for legal matters I need resolved.
  • Mr. Fisher has helped me in the past and is very trustworthy and sincere. I would recommend Michael and of course anyone else at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler.
  • My father was sick and dying, I needed assistance and I need it fast. With a single call to Mr. Fisher’s office, I was warmly welcomed, swiftly assisted and free of the concerns... I am forever grateful to Mr. Fisher for his exquisite services in my time of need.
  • The office staff were courteous, pleasant and kept me informed as to what was going on throughout the whole ordeal.
  • I am extremely satisfied with the service I experienced with this firm and I would recommend them to anyone that needs legal representation. Michael Fisher and his staff are great people.
  • John Wilson demonstrated his professionalism by keeping us current on our case, explaining our options, giving us realistic expectations and demonstrating the highest level of ethics and integrity beyond reproach. We have the highest confidence that we were well represented.
  • I have been a client of Dan Kyler’s since 1996. Having had numerous car accidents, I rely upon the Tacoma auto accident attorneys at RHHK to help me through them. The most obscure questions have been answered and help is given on all levels.
  • Mr. Fisher has helped me in the past and is very trustworthy and sincere. I would recommend Michael and of course anyone else at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler.
  • Our experience with Dan Kyler and Vern Harkins was excellent from the beginning and we were very satisfied with the end results.
  • The office staff were courteous, pleasant and kept me informed as to what was going on throughout the whole ordeal.
  • Having a motorcycle accident was bad enough, let alone dealing with insurance companies. John Wilson and his staff made everything easy to understand and hassle free.
  • John Wilson demonstrated his professionalism by keeping us current on our case, explaining our options, giving us realistic expectations and demonstrating the highest level of ethics and integrity beyond reproach. We have the highest confidence that we were well represented.
  • Michael was outstanding. He was always professional, prepared, available for questions, and on top of my case. I highly recommend him and will always consider him to be my first choice for legal matters I need resolved.
  • Mr. Fisher is an outstanding lawyer. He’s knowledgeable, responsive, and kept me informed at all times. I would definitely recommend him to anyone in need of a good attorney.
  • My father was sick and dying, I needed assistance and I need it fast. With a single call to Mr. Fisher’s office, I was warmly welcomed, swiftly assisted and free of the concerns... I am forever grateful to Mr. Fisher for his exquisite services in my time of need.
  • Mike Fisher is an example of a quality attorney who sets high standards in servicing his clients in the highest regard as an attorney and he is part of a great firm.
  • Vern Harkins perseverance and hard work made it possible to get the maximum settlement from the insurance company. I know he had my interest in mind as demonstrated by his actions.
  • I am extremely satisfied with the service I experienced with this firm and I would recommend them to anyone that needs legal representation. Michael Fisher and his staff are great people.
  • Having a motorcycle accident was bad enough, let alone dealing with insurance companies. John Wilson and his staff made everything easy to understand and hassle free.
  • Dan Hannula’s hard work helped to settle my auto accident case.
  • John Wilson demonstrated his professionalism by keeping us current on our case, explaining our options, giving us realistic expectations and demonstrating the highest level of ethics and integrity beyond reproach. We have the highest confidence that we were well represented.
  • I have been a client of Dan Kyler’s since 1996. Having had numerous car accidents, I rely upon the Tacoma auto accident attorneys at RHHK to help me through them. The most obscure questions have been answered and help is given on all levels.
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