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:

    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.

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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.

$1.9 M
Medical malpractice claim against a doctor who failed to properly treat the client’s medical condition over a significant period of time. As a result the client suffered significant medical complications.
$1.9 M
Client was the victim of medical malpractice when the emergency room failed to diagnose a bowel obstruction, resulting in severe intestine injury and a colostomy.
$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.
$320,000
Client was the victim of medical malpractice that resulted from the failure to timely diagnose her cancer. She suffered a wrongful death as a consequence of the delay in initiating needed treatment.
$250,000
Client was the victim of medical malpractice. This resulted from the failure to timely diagnose and initiate treatment for her developing glaucoma.
FAQs

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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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The change you want to see happens when your story goes beyond the courtroom and makes an impact after the case is closed.

  • 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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