Birth Injuries /

Cerebral Palsy

Tacoma Birth Injury Attorneys Take Action in Cerebral Palsy Cases

HELPING PARENTS RESPOND TO NEGLIGENT HARM TO THEIR BABIES

For expectant parents, a baby’s health is the highest priority. An injury to that child, especially one with lifelong consequences, requires in-depth investigation, and when called for, aggressive legal action to secure compensation. While a personal injury lawsuit cannot heal a child, it can provide financial resources to meet life’s challenges and deliver a sense of closure when a responsible party is held accountable. Since 1952, Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC has fought for injured parties whose cases cry out for justice.

 

WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY?

Cerebral palsy manifests in complete or partial muscle paralysis when a part of the brain called the cerebrum does not develop completely or sustains damage from disease or trauma. There are different varieties of cerebral palsy:

  • Spastic cerebral palsy diminishes strength and induces jerky movements because of muscle stiffness. Symptoms vary according to severity and area of the body affected:
    • Spastic hemiplegia affects one side of the body and may cause speech problems and seizures. It rarely impacts a person’s intelligence.
    • Spastic diplegia affects the lower limbs, stiffening the legs so walking is awkward and difficult.
    • Spastic quadriplegia affects the entire body, often retards intelligence and leads to seizures.
  • Ataxic cerebral palsy impacts balance and depth perception, and damages fine motor skills. It usually does not affect intelligence or communication skills.
  • Athetoid or dyskinetic cerebral palsy renders muscles weak or taut and subjects a patient to random, uncontrolled movement. Though speech is difficult, intelligence is usually unaffected.
  • Hypotonic cerebral palsy impacts muscle tone so breathing is labored and a baby’s head flops.

 

WHAT CAUSES OF CEREBRAL PALSY GIVE RISE TO A LEGAL CAUSE OF ACTION?

Cerebral palsy is always tragic, but is only compensable when someone’s negligence has caused it. Since cerebral palsy often occurs naturally, it’s important to establish that some event disrupted brain development or induced trauma. Such trauma can occur during delivery if:

  • A doctor did not treat the mother for pre-eclampsia.
  • A doctor allowed the second stage of labor to go on too long before ordering a C-section.
  • A doctor misused a vacuum extractor.
  • A doctor negligently allowed the baby to experience asphyxia.
  • A doctor misjudged a mother’s capacity to deliver vaginally and failed to order a C-section.
  • A doctor failed to diagnose an infant’s infection, such as meningitis.

Your legal team at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC carefully investigates the circumstances surrounding your child’s cerebral palsy to determine if a healthcare provider’s failures amount to medical malpractice.

 

Contact our Tacoma birth injury lawyers for representation in cerebral palsy cases

If you suspect a healthcare provider’s negligence caused your child’s cerebral palsy, call the birth injury lawyers of Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC Our experienced malpractice lawyers are prepared to evaluate your case. Call 253-383-5388 or contact our firm online to schedule a free consultation.

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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

Frequently Asked Questions

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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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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