If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in Oregon, understanding your legal rights is a critical first step toward justice. This guide covers Oregon’s wrongful death laws, profiles three law firms that handle these cases, and answers the most important questions families face.
Introduction
Losing a family member due to another party’s negligence is devastating. Oregon’s wrongful death framework provides no caps on general claims and explicitly allows recovery for loss of companionship and emotional suffering, giving families a meaningful path to full compensation.
Oregon Wrongful Death Laws
The Oregon Wrongful Death Statute
Oregon’s wrongful death law is governed by Oregon Revised Statutes § 30.020. The statute requires the Personal Representative of the deceased’s estate to file the claim.
Who Can File
The Personal Representative of the deceased’s estate must file on behalf of the beneficiaries, including the surviving spouse, children, and parents.
Statute of Limitations
Oregon imposes a 3-year statute of limitations, measured from the date of death.
Recoverable Damages
Oregon allows recovery for pecuniary loss, loss of companionship, mental distress, and funeral expenses. There are no caps on wrongful death damages in Oregon.
Survival Action
Oregon maintains a separate survival action alongside the wrongful death claim.
Top 3 Wrongful Death Attorneys in Oregon
1. Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC
Location: Portland, OR
Phone: (503) 226-6361
Website: https://paulsoncoletti.com
A boutique, highly selective trial firm recognized as one of Oregon’s elite litigation groups. They are masters at presenting uncapped mental distress and loss of companionship damages to Oregon juries. They handle catastrophic medical malpractice, trucking, and defective product wrongful death cases, and their selective caseload means every family receives maximum attorney attention.
2. Swanson, Thomas, Coon & Newton
Location: Portland, OR
Phone: (503) 228-5222
Website: https://stcnlaw.com
A well-established personal injury and wrongful death firm with a strong reputation across Oregon’s state and federal courts. They are skilled at navigating the probate appointment process and pursuing both the wrongful death claim and the separate survival action simultaneously to maximize total recovery.
3. Oregon Injury Law Center
Location: Portland, OR (Serving statewide)
Phone: (503) 325-8600
Website: https://oregoninjurylaw.com
Known for a client-first, results-driven approach. They excel in fatal motor vehicle and commercial trucking accidents and rapidly deploy investigative teams before critical evidence disappears. Because Oregon has no damage caps, they aggressively pursue the full extent of the family’s financial and emotional losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there caps on damages in Oregon?
No. Oregon imposes no caps on wrongful death damages.
What should I do immediately after losing a loved one due to negligence?
Contact a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. The 3-year deadline runs from the date of death. Preserve all evidence and do not speak with insurance companies before consulting an attorney.
Closing
Oregon’s no caps framework and 3-year filing window provide families with strong legal tools. The firms listed above have the resources to pursue maximum recovery. If you have lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence, contact one of these attorneys today.
For immediate grief support, contact the National Alliance for Grieving Children at (866) 432-1542.