
Medical Malpractice /
Birth Injuries
Few experiences are more traumatic than learning a child has a birth injury that may literally affect an entire lifetime.
Washington Birth Injury Attorneys
A LAW FIRM WHERE WRONGS ARE MADE RIGHT
Few experiences are more traumatic than learning a child has a birth injury that may literally affect an entire lifetime. While some birth injuries are unavoidable, the sad truth is that many could have been avoided with the right medical care.
Parents of children with birth injuries face overwhelming decisions just to ensure their child receives the immediate medical treatment he or she needs. However, they may also be worried about a potential lifetime of expenses for their child. The attorneys and staff at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC have the skills and experience needed to achieve outstanding results for families dealing with birth injuries caused by negligent doctors, hospitals, and nurses.
WASHINGTON BIRTH INJURY LITIGATION IS A COMPLEX PROCESS
While birth injury litigation involves highly complex medical and legal issues, it can be helpful to understand a bit about the legal process so you know what to expect. The following are some key steps in the process:
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- Preparation: Perhaps the most detailed and complex part of the process involves the research needed to develop irrefutable evidence in support of a case. Much of this research requires the support of skilled medical practitioners who know what to look for as they work with attorneys to obtain all of the pertinent medical records. The goal is to obtain a detailed prognosis that may extend over the lifetime of the child, and identify all witnesses who can testify in support of the case.
- Pre-trial dispute resolution: Anyone making a claim against a hospital faces an intimidating pre-trial dispute resolution process required by Washington law. Families should be well-prepared by experienced medical malpractice attorneys who have the skill to negotiate a just result.
- Courtroom litigation: When settlement cannot be negotiated, the case is heard in court before a jury. While lawsuits can be stressful on malpractice victims and their families, our attorneys take the time to thoroughly prepare our clients so they know what to expect throughout the courtroom process.The attorneys at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC have the resources and the expertise to guide you through the stress of the complex legal process and prepare a case that helps ensure you obtain the results you need.
HOLDING HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR NEGLIGENT HARM TO CHILD AND MOTHER
Preventable harm to a child can happen anytime during pregnancy, labor, delivery, or shortly after birth when a healthcare provider fails to perform at an acceptable level of care. Mothers can also suffer unnecessarily when a doctor fails to observe protocols and to take decisive steps to safeguard her health and safety. Since 1959, the attorneys at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC have worked diligently to ensure that injured newborns and mothers obtain compensation. Birth injury litigation involves highly complex medical and legal issues. Fortunately, our attorneys and staff have the experience, knowledge and skill to achieve outstanding results for our clients.
COMMON BIRTH INJURIES TO NEWBORNS AND THEIR MOTHERS
Under the best of circumstances, delivery is hard on both mother and child. But when medical professionals commit negligent errors, a variety of bad outcomes are possible. Babies may suffer asphyxia, hypoxia or trauma, resulting in cerebral palsy or Erb’s palsy, bone fractures and even facial paralysis. Mothers may sustain perineum tears requiring surgical repair, pelvic nerve damage or life-threatening hemorrhage and asphyxia. We are committed to helping injured babies and their mothers obtain sufficient compensation for the magnitude of this harm.
VARIOUS MEDICAL ERRORS CAN LEAD TO BIRTH INJURIES
The following are examples of medical errors that cause birth injuries:
- Failure to properly monitor a woman’s condition during pregnancy
- Failure to diagnose or treat premature rupture of the membranes
- Failure to refer a woman with high-risk pregnancy symptoms to an obstetrician specializing in high-risk pregnancies
- Delay in ordering a cesarean section (C-section) delivery when medically necessary
- Reading or analyzing prenatal tests incorrectly
- Failure to note and respond to changes in the condition of the fetus during labor or delivery
- Failure to anticipate birth complications with a larger baby
- Failure to monitor and treat maternal health complications
- Failure to respond appropriately to bleeding
- Failure to observe or respond to umbilical cord entrapment
- Failure to respond to fetal distress (including irregularities in the fetal heartbeat)
- Failure to diagnose or treat infection
- Improper or excessive use of vacuum extraction or forceps during delivery
- Failure to provide timely diagnosis or treatment of placenta previa or placental abruption
- Performing a traumatic delivery
- Failure to act upon signs of oxygen deprivation in the fetus
Contact our Tacoma birth injury lawyers for effective legal representation
If your loved one has suffered a birth injury, call the trial lawyers of Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC now at 253-383-5388 or contact our firm online. Let our experience work for you. Our initial consultation is free of charge. We advance all costs of litigation and you only pay for our services after you receive monetary compensation.
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Do you have a case?
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.

Frequently Asked Questions
We have answers to some of the most common Washington personal injury questions. These are resources for injury victims.
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.
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.
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.
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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