Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Seattle Personal Injury Attorney Chris Thayer
Handling Personal Injury Claims in the Seattle Area and Throughout Washington Since 1995

My name is Chris Thayer and I am a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Seattle. I handle personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death claims throughout the greater Seattle area, including Issaquah, Mercer Island and Kirkland.

I am here to help you.

Call for a free consultation (206) 340-2008

The Seattle Personal Injury Blog

Types of Birth Injuries

Posted Friday, August 7, 2020 by Chris Thayer

Unfortunately, medical negligence either before, during, or immediately after the birthing process can cause serious injuries in the infant resulting in permanent damage. If you discovered that your baby was injured during birth, you may have the legal right to pursue a claim under the law.

**Common Types of Birth Injuries Resulting From Medical Malpractice


**Not every medical condition or diagnosis an infant receives is the result of medical malpractice. In some cases, children are born with medical conditions or illnesses that have no relationship to any type of action or inaction on the part of the medical attending staff. However, there are certain types of injuries that occur often due to the fact that a healthcare provider or medical practitioner made serious negligent errors in the birthing process resulting in a birth injury. Some of the types of common birth injuries resulting from medical malpractice include the following:

  • Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral palsy is a common birth defect leading to a child suffering permanent challenges with motor skills, walking, speaking, neurological issues and pain and suffering. This often occurs when a child remains in the birth canal too long or is deprived of oxygen for too long.
  • Brain Damage. If a baby does not receive enough oxygen at any time during the birthing process, it can lead not only to cerebral palsy, but to additional medical complications including seizures or remaining in a permanent vegetative state.
  • Spinal Damage. If extraction devices such as forceps or vacuum extractor tools are used inappropriately during the delivery process, it may cause spinal cord or nerve damage resulting in permanent neurological challenges for the child.
  • Infections. If the medical staff fails to detect, diagnose, and/or treat an infection in either the mother or child, it can result in serious or potentially fatal medical complications, including infant brain damage.
  • Cephalohematoma. This medical condition occurs when there is bleeding between the skull and the periosteum of the baby. The pooling of blood from blood vessels damages the inner skin layers and the infant’s skull causing serious medical issues.

There are many other medical complications, illnesses, and injuries that may occur as a direct result of the medical negligence of a nurse, surgeon, doctor, or another medical professional. If you or your baby suffered any injuries or losses as a result of medical negligence, you may have the legal right to file a claim to pursue justice on behalf of your newborn.

*Contact a Birth Injury Lawyer*First, please know that we understand that you may be overwhelmed by your current situation and the diagnosis of your infant. While no amount of compensation will bring back your baby’s health, you may be facing astronomical medical bills and a lifetime of medical treatments and health concerns. If your child suffered injuries you think may be related to a birth injury resulting from medical negligence, contact Pivotal Law Group at 206-340-2008 and visit with one of our experienced birth injury attorneys. We proudly serve the Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, and Issaquah areas.

Symptoms of Aortic Dissection Following a Car Accident

Posted Friday, July 31, 2020 by Chris Thayer

Alternative TextMany victims are saved through the use of seat belts and airbags within their vehicles when they are involved in serious car accidents. Unfortunately, there are circumstances in which these life-saving devices actually can cause a severe injury to the victim. When a seat belt or airbag places a great deal of pressure on the victim’s chest, it may cause damage to the heart, resulting in aortic dissection. Learn more about this life-threatening medical condition and understand the signs in order to receive proper medical treatment.

*Aortic Dissection*The heart has a large artery that is called the aorta and rises from the lower left chamber of the heart. The top of this artery turns and bends and then moves downward. The area at the top that bends (called the isthmus) is much weaker than the rest of the aorta. When it suffers any kind of serious impact or extreme pressure, it can rupture or completely tear. If a tear occurs in the inner lawyer, the aorta will bleed into the middle layer, thus separating the layers. This is called an aortic dissection.

*Consequences of Aortic Dissection *An aortic dissection is a medical emergency that may ultimately be life-threatening. Aortic dissections may lead to organ failure, damage to the lining of the heart, stroke, or death. When damage occurs to the aorta, it can stop the blood flow to organs such as the kidneys, brain, legs or intestines and lead to a heart attack, brain damage, organ failure, bowel infarctions, kidney failure, liver failure, dead intestines, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, gangrene, or death.

*Symptoms of Aortic Dissection After a Car Accident *Many symptoms that a victim of an aortic dissection experience appear to be similar to those of a heart attack. Some victims feel an intense pressure in the chest area. This could be a strong pressure or a stabbing, sharp pain. In other cases, the pain is so severe that it feels like someone is actually ripping or tearing their chest. This pain may radiate to the back or the shoulder blade area. In some cases, the pain may be felt in the jaw area, abdomen, hips, shoulder, or neck.

*Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today *If you believe that you may be experiencing an aortic dissection following a car accident, or someone you love explains that they have symptoms described above, you should seek emergency medical treatment as quickly as possible. Never take for granted that you have additional time if you begin to feel these symptoms, or if someone you love describes these symptoms following a car accident. If you were in a car accident and suffered injuries or losses, including aortic dissection, due to someone else’s negligence, contact Pivotal Law Group at 206-340-2008 and consult with one of our experienced attorneys. We proudly serve the Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, and Issaquah areas.

Types of Dangerous Car Accidents

Posted Friday, July 24, 2020 by Chris Thayer

Alternative TextCar accidents are always unsettling and oftentimes overwhelming for the victims involved. Even small fender-benders can leave challenging emotional and physical scars. However, there are certain types of car accidents that are much more dangerous statistically than others. While certain safety devices may help mitigate the severity of injuries suffered in a car accident, those victims who suffer injuries or losses as a result of a catastrophic accident may face astronomical medical bills, lost wages due to the inability to return to work, property damage, and pain and suffering. The following are some of the most dangerous types of car accidents, and how you may have the legal right to pursue compensation for your injuries and losses.

*Head-on Accident *One of the most serious and dangerous types of car accidents is the head-on collision. When two vehicles directly impact each other head-on while traveling in different directions, the result is oftentimes severe injuries and fatalities. Head-on collisions between vehicles account for 10% of all fatalities in car accidents in the United States every year.

*Rollover Accident*Many vehicles have a propensity to roll over, such as top-heavy SUVs and large trucks. When rollover accidents occur, the victims inside the vehicle often suffer serious injuries such as traumatic brain damage, internal injuries or bleeding, spinal cord injuries, broken or fractured bones, nerve damage, paralysis, or even death. Rollover accidents tend to result in serious injuries or fatalities for the victims involved.

*Side-Impact Accident*If one car runs perpendicularly into the side of another car, it is called a T-bone accident. In other cases, a side-impact accident occurs when one car sideswipes another vehicle moving in the same direction. Both of these types of side-impact accidents can cause serious harm to victims. Side-impact collisions account for over 20% of all car accident fatalities. These types of accidents often occur on highways, parking lots, or high-traffic roadways.

*Off-Road Crash*The most deadly type of car accident is the off-road crash, which accounts for over 30% of all traffic-related fatalities in the United States. When a vehicle veers off of the road and crashes into another car, telephone pole, concrete block in the center of the highway or other stationary item, serious injuries and harm typically result for all victims.

*Rear-end Accident*Many people consider rear-end accidents to be simple “fender-benders” without too many serious consequences. However, these types of accidents often cause serious neck and back injuries that can be permanent. Whiplash can be minor, but also can cause serious challenges for victims throughout their lives. If you are ever involved in a rear-end accident, make sure to treat it seriously and ensure you seek immediate medical evaluation and treatment.

*Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney *If you were in any type of a car accident and suffered injuries or losses, contact Pivotal Law Group at 206-340-2008 and visit with one of our experienced attorneys. We proudly serve the Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, and Issaquah areas.

Hiring a Medical Expert for Your Personal Injury Claim

Posted Friday, July 17, 2020 by Chris Thayer

Alternative TextThe U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics’ research indicates that over 50% of all cases presented in civil matters relate to personal injuries resulting from another person’s negligence. Interestingly, only 4% of these cases actually end up in front of a judge at a trial, as the majority are settled outside of the courtroom through negotiations with insurance companies. Learn how hiring a medical expert for your personal injury claim can ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, pain and suffering and loss of wages resulting from your inability to return to work.

*What is a Medical Expert Witness? *If you have been injured in a personal injury accident, you may wonder why you need an expert to testify regarding your injuries if you have already seen a medical professional and received an official diagnosis or course of medical treatment. Unfortunately, in personal injury cases, insurance companies tend to try to avoid paying appropriate and just settlement offers to victims, and therefore, will claim that a victim’s injury is not as severe or catastrophic as they claim. Therefore, a medical expert witness, which is typically a medical professional such as a surgeon or doctor, will offer independent and unbiased testimony regarding the injuries suffered by a victim. Medical experts can, therefore, provide testimony after evaluating the injuries and medical records of a victim by answering questions regarding the following:

  • The extent of victim’s injury
  • Whether the medical treatment the victim received was, in fact, appropriate
  • Future medical costs
  • Timeline for the improvement or deterioration of overall health related to the injury
  • The future decrease in earning capacity as a result of the injury
  • Possible reduction in either work or life expectancy as a result of the injury
  • Confirm a permanent or temporary disability determination

*Reasons to Hire a Medical Expert *Judges and juries do not have medical experience and will need the advice of a neutral third-party such as a medical expert. However, because most cases do not go to trial, if an insurance company knows that you already have a medical expert willing to testify on your behalf that your injuries are as severe as you and your doctor claim, they will be more willing to provide a fair and just settlement without going to trial.

*Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney *If you suffered injuries related to an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you may have to hire an expert witness to testify on your behalf regarding the injuries you suffered. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have the ability to hire expert medical witnesses on your behalf and build a strong personal injury case so that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. Contact Pivotal Law Group at 206-340-2008 and visit with one of our experienced attorneys. We proudly serve the Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, and Issaquah areas.

What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer do for You?

Posted Friday, July 10, 2020 by Chris Thayer

Alternative TextMany people who suffer injuries in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence have the legal right to pursue financial compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, mental anguish, and property damage. If you suffered injuries or losses as a result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may feel overwhelmed regarding your next steps. Understanding how an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you receive compensation for your injuries will help you make informed decisions as you move forward.

*Understanding Personal Injury Laws*A personal injury lawyer can provide assistance to you throughout your personal injury settlement or lawsuit process. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to explain all of the applicable laws regarding your circumstance and how they can be used to your advantage. Additionally, an attorney should take the time to explain all of your legal rights and articulate how you are able to legally bring a claim for compensation under the law. Oftentimes, personal injury lawsuits involve a great deal of complex legal concepts such as statutes of limitations and theories regarding negligence. A personal injury attorney should be able to explain and navigate these concepts to you so that you have a full understanding of your case.

*Negotiating With Insurance Companies *One of the most difficult aspects of a personal injury case is negotiating with insurance companies. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters working on their side and often use manipulative or adversarial tactics against victims in order to reduce the amount of their settlement offers. A personal injury attorney will represent their client by negotiating with insurance companies on their behalf. Most insurance companies will not utilize manipulative tactics on attorneys, as they know that lawyers will already know all of their tactics and they will be unsuccessful. An attorney will work to ensure that their client receives the best compensation package possible in a settlement offer, and an inexperienced personal injury lawyer will not hesitate to reject an unfair or low settlement offer from an insurance company.

*Provides Representation in Court *Most personal injury cases never actually go to trial, as most are settled through offers given by insurance companies. However, when an insurance company fails to provide a fair and just settlement offer, the case will go to trial. A personal injury lawyer will be able to hire medical experts, build a strong case, and ensure that all paperwork and documentation is filed in an appropriate amount of time to ensure that no statute of limitation deadlines pass. Additionally, if the case does go to trial, a personal injury lawyer will be able to represent you regarding your injuries and losses suffered due to someone else’s negligence.

*Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney *You are likely dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Consider visiting with an experienced personal injury attorney so that you will get the representation you deserve to receive compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact Pivotal Law Group at 206-340-2008 and speak with one of our experienced attorneys. We proudly serve the Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Burien, Mercer Island, and Issaquah areas.