Wrongful Death /

Fatal Accidents

EXPERIENCED REPRESENTATION FOR GRIEVING FAMILIES WHO DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY

Family members who suddenly lose a loved one to an accident naturally feel violated; someone precious to them has been stolen, and the years of happiness they anticipated have been obliterated. At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, we understand your desire to hold negligent or reckless individuals accountable for the harm they’ve caused. Since 1959, we’ve helped next of kin recover damages for wrongful death resulting from:

  • Auto accidents
  • Slip-and-fall accidents
  • Accidental drowning
  • Medical malpractice
  • Product defect accidents

 

UNDERSTANDING THE LEADING CAUSES OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control on injury deaths, the leading specified causes of unintentional injury death are:

  • Motor vehicle traffic accidents — Approximately 30,000 motorists, passengers and pedestrians die in collisions annually.
  • Unintentional poisoning — This category includes drug overdoses and is the leading accidental killer for ages 25 through 64. Drug poisonings increased six-fold from 1980 to 2008. Drug poisonings involving opioid analgesics, such as OxyContin and Vicodin, tripled from 1999 to 2008.
  • Falls — Falls are the leading cause of accidental death for persons over the age of 65.
  • Suffocation — This is the number one cause of accidental death for infants.
  • Drowning — This is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1 through 4.

However, the American Association for Justice makes a strong argument for including preventable medical errors on this list. A 1999 report by the U.S. Institute of Medicine estimated that as many as 98,000 preventable deaths occur each year due to medical errors. If true, that number would place deaths caused by medical error at the top of the CDC’s list of injury deaths and make medical malpractice the sixth leading cause of death in the country.

 

FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN WASHINGTON ARE ON THE DECLINE

The good news for anyone who travels on Washington roads is that the number of deaths from vehicle accidents has declined each of the last years for which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released statistics. Starting from a high of 521 fatalities in 2008, these deaths reached a low of 444 in 2012. However, both motorcycle accident deaths and pedestrian fatalities have increased during the same period.

 

Contact our wrongful death attorneys for fatal accident representation in Washington

If you lost a loved one in a fatal accident, you may feel you’ll never have closure unless you obtain justice. At Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler PLLC, we understand your desire to honor your loved one’s life by making sure someone is held accountable for the death. To schedule a free consultation and case evaluation, call us at 253-383-5388 or contact our office online.

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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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Results
Our Results

The Proof

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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.

$920,000
Client was involved in a truck accident that caused his wrongful death. He was crushed when the truck hit him from behind as he was unloading items from his vehicle.
$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.
$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.
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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Impact
Our Impact

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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We will demand the justice you deserve with relentless pursuit. On your side, is a firm ready and able to win.

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