Personal Injury /

Spinal Injury

DEDICATED REPRESENTATION FOR HARM FROM ACCIDENTS AND SURGICAL MALPRACTICE

A serious spinal cord injury changes your life forever. To face the challenges confronting you, you’ll need full and fair compensation for your economic losses and the losses to your quality of life. The law allows you one chance to file a claim, so your choice of the attorney to represent you could be the most momentous decision of your life. Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC provides experienced, client-centered and team-oriented representation. Since 1959, we’ve fought for seriously injured clients, rewarding their confidence in us with our determined efforts to obtain the full measure of compensation to which they are entitled.

 

ACCIDENT-INDUCED TRAUMA LEADS TO PARAPLEGIA OR QUADRIPLEGIA

The most common causes of serious spinal cord injury are auto accidents and construction accidents. In each instance, an impact causes compression or bending of the spinal cord that bruises or breaks nerve fibers necessary for transmitting nerve impulses. The victim can lose some or all motor function below the point of injury. If the injury occurs high on the spinal column, the victim may lose use of the arms and legs (quadriplegia); if the injury occurs below the neck, the victim might lose use of the legs and suffer impaired abdominal functions (paraplegia).

 

SPINE SURGERY MALPRACTICE RESULTS IN CHRONIC PAIN OR PARAPLEGIA

Surgical science has developed several methods for alleviating back and neck pain by decompressing areas around the nerves and stabilizing areas where degenerative injuries have occurred. Common procedures include:

  • Discectomy — Surgery to remove herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord
  • Spinal fusion — Any of several procedures using bone grafts to eliminate painful motion of vertebrae.
  • Laminectomy and laminotomy — Removal of all or part of posterior arch of the vertebral bone to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots

While surgeons claim a success rate as high as 80 percent, serious errors also occur, inflicting unnecessary pain and requiring additional surgery to correct. In some cases, the damage due to surgical error is permanent. Common surgical mistakes include:

  • Incision errors — Scalpels or lasers can damage blood vessels and nerves.
  • Misplacement of surgical hardware — Some procedures require screws and plates that must be properly positioned.
  • Anesthesia errors — A risk with any surgery, an anesthesia error that allows a patient to awaken during spinal surgery is particularly dangerous.
  • Failures in postoperative monitoring — Postoperative infections, hematomas and blood clots can cause serious repercussions, including paraplegia.

Proving that surgical malpractice caused an increase in back pain or permanent disability is not easy. Fortunately, our attorneys have vast experience in complex malpractice litigation. We’re well versed in surgical protocols and have longstanding relationships with qualified experts whose participation is crucial to your case’s success.

 

Contact an established and reputable spinal injury law firm in Tacoma, Washington

A permanent spinal injury requires compensation for your lifetime. The dedicated personal injury lawyers of Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC are committed to securing the maximum damage recovery possible. Call 253-383-5388 or contact us online to arrange your 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.

$650,000
Client was involved in a bus accident when he was rear-ended by a county bus on the freeway. He sustained it back fractures that required surgery and emotional injuries that prevented him from returning to work.
$300,000
Client was involved in a semi truck accident on the freeway when the truck driver made an unsafe lane change into her lane. Client sustained soft tissue injuries to her neck, shoulders and back as well as a closed head injury and posttraumatic stress disorder.
$275,000
Client involved in a car accident where another driver failed to yield the right of way and pulled in front of him at an intersection. Client suffered injuries to his neck and back.
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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3,000+
Success Stories

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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