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:

1. 1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.