Dennis Casey, PS is your attorney in Puyallup, Washington. If you're facing a difficult legal situation, it's hard to know what all the right answers are and what your options might be. In the Greater Tacoma area, you need look no further than the experienced team of ours. You can count on us to work tirelessly on your case so that your decisions and the results of your case will provide the best possible outcome for your situation. We can help with bankruptcy law, family law, adoption law, divorce law and estate and probate services. ...read more

The birth of your child should be one of the happiest days of your life, but sometimes negligence, imprudence, or carelessness of medical staff can turn this special day into a nightmare. Tens of thousands of babies are injured every year during the birthing process. Birth injury accidents are sometimes simply the result of childbirth itself, but much of the time is the fault of medical staff. Birth injurymedical malpracticecan lead to paralysis, nerve damage, disability, and even death. Here are some of the more common birth injuries that can occur due to carelessness: Serious Injuries: Brachial Plexus Injuries (Brachial Palsy):  This happens when the network of nerves that connects the spine, shoulders and hands is damaged. Damage to these nerves can range anywhere from mild and temporary to severe and permanent. What are the signs and symptoms?  A weak or paralyzed arm on one side of their body, decreased grip, a startled reaction when the head falls after being released.If the symptoms include bruising or swelling, the situation may correct itself in several months. If there is major nerve damage, corrective surgery may be required and permanent damage often occurs. Cerebral Palsy:  This is neurological disorders that maybe the result of a lack of oxygen or damage to the baby’s brain during childbirth. Though Cerebral Palsy may not be life threatening, babies can suffer permanent brain damage for which there is no cure. What are the signs and symptoms?  Symptoms of Cerebral Palsy may not show right away. They include muscle spasms, weak muscles, slow development to roll over, crawl, smile, or talk, abnormal or decreased muscle tone, poor coordination, and vision or hearing problems. Brain Injury:  This can occur when the baby does not get enough oxygen. Oxygen deprivation can happen if the baby loses a lot of blood, or the umbilical cord gets twisted or compressed. Prolonged oxygen deprivation can cause brain damage and a number of neurological disorders, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. Spinal cord injuries: These occur during delivery when excessive traction or rotation is applied and the spinal cord is overstretched. Death or permanent lifelong medical problems result in infants who suffer from these types of injuries during childbirth. Less Serious Injuries: Fractures: Fractures are the most common birth injury, the collarbone the most often injured. This occurs during difficult or breech deliveries. Babies usually recover quickly once the bone is immobilized. What are the signs and symptoms? A baby will not move the arm on the side of the fracture freely, and the caregiver may feel a lump or roughness in the fractured clavicle. Cephalohematoma: This refers to bleeding between the baby’s skin and skull.   This injury will normally resolve within two weeks to three months as the baby reabsorbs the blood. Jaundice may develop as a result of this birth injury. What are the signs and symptoms? A raised bump on the newborn’s head commonly located on the back of the skull. Subconjunctival Hemorrhage:This is caused by the bursting of blood vessels in the infant’s eyes. The injury is not very harmful and does not permanently damage the eyes. It normally clears up within a week to ten days.      What are the signs and symptoms?  One or both of the baby's eyes will have a noticeable bright red band around the iris. Bruising and forceps marks: These are examples of injuries suffered as a result of a traumatic delivery or from the use of forceps or vacuum extraction. This can also happen as the baby passes through the birth canal.  Most bruises on infants are not long-term problems, although some bruises caused by forceps require surgical treatment. What are the signs and symptoms?  Bruising, abrasions and forceps marks are normally found on the face or head of the baby. Caput Succedaneum:Thisrefers to swelling of the baby’s scalp. This may happen if the birth involved vacuum extraction or from excessive pressure through the birth canal. The head usually returns to normal size in several days. What are the signs and symptoms?  Soft, puffy swelling of an infant’s scalp, swelling extending over the scalp’s midline, and possible bruising.   Facial Paralysis: This happens when the infant's cranial facial nerve is injured during labor or birth, which can be caused by epidural anesthesia, forceps, certain medications, prolonged labor, prolonged pregnancy, or traumatic birth injury. If the facial nerve was only bruised, this type of birth injury may improve within two to three weeks. However, with more severe nerve damage, the infant may need surgery to correct the condition. What are the signs and symptoms?  When there is no movement on the injured side of the face when the baby cries. Babies with this type of injury also are unable to close the eye on this side of the face. Remember, not all birth injuries are caused by negligence. However, if you think your child has suffered injury, disability or death because of the carelessness of the hospital or medical staff, you may want to speak with apersonal injury attorneywho handles birth injuryclaims. ...read more

Personal Injury Protection is part of your auto insurance policy. It is designed to take care of you immediately after an accident. You should always take advantage of your PIP! Here are a few PIP TIPS to assist you: • PIP pays medical bills for 3 years or $10,000 (or more, depending on your policy) • PIP pays a portion of your lost income from missing work after an accident • PIP pays reimbursement for household chores that you normally do yourself• PIP does not have a deductible or co-pay requirements • PIP is no-fault, so it does not matter who caused the accident, you’re covered!!! • PIP must be included in your policy unless you rejected it, in writing• BY LAW, your insurance company cannot raise your rates for using PIP • BY LAW, your insurance company cannot cancel your policy for using PIP OPEN YOUR PIP CLAIM IMMEDIATLEY AFTER AN ACCIDENT!!! You shouldn’t have to pay expensive medical bills out of your own pocket until you settle your case! Take advantage of your PIP coverage - - - that’s why you have it!!! Contact the offices ofGraham Lundberg & Peschelif you have any questions regarding PIP or any other issues related to Personal Injury @1-800-273-5005. ...read more