Losing a loved one is a devastating event, and these tragedies are made even worse when they occur due to the reckless or negligent behavior of another party. If your family is going through this nightmare, the Oregon wrongful death attorney at Romano Law is dedicated to ensuring justice is served for your loved one.

Oregon law provides legal recourse when the negligence of a person or other entity results in an untimely death. Your family has rights, and although nothing can change the tragic outcome of what happened, filing a wrongful death suit in Oregon can ensure that the responsible parties are held accountable.

Lighting a candle in memory of a loved one.

Wrongful Death Laws in Oregon

Wrongful death attorneys in Oregon must help their clients within the confines of state law. Separate jurisdictions have varying definitions and statutes related to negligent or reckless actions that lead to death. Oregon law defines wrongful death as a death “caused by the wrongful act or omission of another.”

This is a broad definition that many actions could fall under. Improper maintenance of a tour vehicle, failing to erect a fence around a pool, and failure to follow disinfecting routines at a nursing home are all examples of negligent wrongful acts or omissions that could rise to the level of statutory wrongdoing.

When you hire a wrongful death attorney in Oregon, they’ll strive to get you the maximum settlement or court award. Oregon law provides that compensation can be collected for the following:

Charges incurred for medical services (e.g. doctor, hospital, nursing, etc.), memorial services, and burial services.
Pain, suffering, disability and lost income during time between injury and death.
Financial loss to the victim’s estate.
Loss of companionship, society and services of the victim.
Punitive damages (i.e. punishment) based on extreme negligence or recklessness.

When the wrongful actions of another party lead to the death of an individual, Oregon law allows the victim’s spouse, parents, stepparents, children and stepchildren to seek compensation. The statute of limitations in the state, though, requires that an action be filed within three years of death or when the injury should’ve been discovered.

Just because three years has elapsed does not mean you shouldn’t contact a wrongful death attorney in Oregon. Not all negligent or reckless actions are immediately obvious when they occur. This is why lawsuits have been filed decades after the fact based on exposure to asbestos, Agent Orange and other dangerous chemicals.

After experiencing the loss of a loved one, you understandably have a lot on your mind. An Oregon wrongful death suit may be the last thing you want to deal with. At Romano Law, we know how difficult this process can be. That’s why we strive to make the process as simple as possible for our clients.

When you need a wrongful death attorney in Oregon, we’re here to help.

Wrongful Death Statistics

Grasping the full extent of deaths caused by recklessness and negligence can be difficult due to the lack of a national wrongful death statistics database. Instead, it’s necessary to look at the variety of causes typically linked to wrongful death. The following examples are just a small representation of statistics that can fall under wrongful deaths:

Medical Malpractice

One of the most common reasons people seek wrongful death attorneys in Oregon is medical malpractice. Research has shown that one out of every ten deaths in America is directly linked to mistakes made by healthcare practitioners. A minimum of 250,000 people die every year in the U.S. due to these errors.

This is a particular problem in The Beaver State. Recent reviews have found that there are 28.6 wrongful death suits in Oregon per every 100,000 residents. This means the state has the 13th highest rate in the entire nation – beating out states with much larger populations such as Texas and New York.

Motor Vehicle Collisions

Wrongful death lawyers in Oregon also deal with a high number of cases involving motor vehicle collisions. Over 32,000 people die every year in America in these crashes. One-third of these involve drunk driving, and nearly one-third involve speeding. Some of these crashes could involve single vehicles, but this doesn’t mean an innocent person didn’t die from negligence.

Passengers or pedestrians can be injured or killed due to recklessness in single-car collisions. Around half of Oregon automobile accident deaths, however, are linked to multi-vehicle crashes. In these situations, one driver is typically seen as responsible for the incident. Regardless of the situation, you should immediately speak to an Oregon wrongful death attorney.

Unsafe Premises

Property owners have a duty to ensure their premises are safe. Many people immediately envision the example of slipping on wet floors at a grocery store, but even failing to correct safety hazards on private property could leave someone liable in an Oregon wrongful death lawsuit. In all these cases, falls are one of the main causes of death.

Falls result in more visits to the emergency room than any other cause. Over 36,000 people die yearly due to unintentional falls. If you lost a loved one due to a fall, it’s imperative that you contact a wrongful death attorney in Oregon. It’s possible that recklessness or negligence occurred even if it’s not immediately obvious.

Workplace Injuries

Under Oregon law, most workplace deaths come under worker’s compensation statutes. Even instances of negligence won’t typically qualify for a wrongful death lawsuit. If your loved one’s passing is related to the willful actions or extreme recklessness of their employer, though, these actions could rise to the level of wrongful death.

Additionally, you may be able to sue another employer if their actions on a job site contributed to your loved one’s passing. This falls under the Employer Liability Law, and it’s nuances such as this that make hiring a wrongful death attorney in Oregon so essential. Hunting, fishing, forestry and agricultural industries experience the highest number of deaths in the state.

Overall Unintentional Injuries

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report nearly 40 million physician visits and over 29 million emergency room visits yearly related to unintentional injuries. These accidents are the third leading cause of death in America. Not all these incidents are due to negligence or recklessness, but if you believe another party is at fault for your loved one’s death, you should contact a wrongful death lawyer in Oregon today.

Can an Oregon Wrongful Death Lawyer Help?

If you’ve lost a loved one due to negligent or reckless actions, you may have already been contacted by an insurance adjuster. These individuals will try to get you to accept a settlement without input from a wrongful death attorney in Oregon. You may be tempted to accept their offer to expedite the process, but you shouldn’t do so without first speaking to a lawyer.

Insurance adjusters are focused on the financial well-being of the company they represent – not victims of negligence. There are many benefits you’ll receive from hiring an Oregon wrongful death lawyer. Consider the following:

Attorneys better understand appropriate compensation levels.
They can assist in grieving by allowing you to focus on your family.
Legal terminology is often complex, but attorneys are trained in statutes.
Help you predict unforeseen costs that may arise in the future.
Having an attorney can speed up the process instead of going it alone.
Trial experience can ensure you’re not railroaded in court.

Wrongful death attorneys in Oregon deal with these types of cases on a frequent basis. Your situation will certainly be unique – and at Romano Law, it will receive the personal attention it deserves – but settlement negotiations and trials follow a uniform path. With legal representation on your side, you have a partner in holding negligent parties accountable.

Choosing an Oregon Wrongful Death Attorney

Having legal representation on your side following the loss of a loved one is important, but choosing who will represent you should not be taken lightly. It’s essential to find a lawyer with the experience necessary to work towards the best possible outcome for your family. Consider the following when choosing a wrongful death lawyer in Oregon:

Length of legal experience: Movies featuring young attorneys fresh out of law school taking on the system are great for the big screen, but finding legal representation with years of experience is typically your best option.
Focus on wrongful death: Any lawyer can file a lawsuit in Oregon courts, but it’s important that you find representation with experience in wrongful death cases. They understand the statutes and processes involved, so they can better navigate the complex system.
Check reviews: Over 80 percent of people trust online reviews as much as recommendations from friends, and that’s because these testimonials are your best view into the service you’ll receive. Check online reviews for any law firm you’re considering.
Who works on the case: Once you hire a wrongful death attorney in Oregon, you don’t want to later discover that the case has been handed off to an inexperienced associate. Make sure you’re getting a qualified representative.

At Romano Law, we strive to ensure your family receives just compensation for the loss of your loved one. This is why Mr. Romano personally handles all legal work himself. We certainly think you should allow Romano Law to handle your case, but the most important thing is to find legal representation that works for you.

Hire a Wrongful Death Attorney in Oregon

Your family has been through a traumatic event, and dealing with insurers, legal filings, court dates and other hassles is likely not something you’re ready to face. No one should have to go through what you’ve experienced, but when these tragedies happen, it’s imperative that you have a legal representative that’s focused on you.

When you’re seeking a wrongful death attorney in Oregon, make sure you reach out to Romano Law. It’s our goal to ensure negligent entities pay for their recklessness, and by doing so, we strive to ensure your family receives just compensation. We understand that nothing can make this right, but we’ll strive to make the coming months and years easier for your family.

Contact Romano Law today to discuss your case.