Oregon wrongful death lawyers for families the insurance company is already pressuring.
In the worst days of your life, the insurance company is moving fast. We move faster, and we know the tactics they use because several of our attorneys spent years running them from the other side.
The adjuster called before the funeral.
Within days of a fatal accident, the insurer's response team is working. They look for any way to shift fault to the person who died, because a percentage of blame is a percentage they do not have to pay.
They ask grieving family members for recorded statements. They make an early offer that sounds like a lot to a family suddenly facing funeral costs and lost income, and that is a fraction of what the claim is actually worth.
We have seen this from the inside. The whole point of moving fast, on their side, is to resolve the claim before the family understands what it is worth or who is really at fault.
What to do next.
You do not have to talk to their insurer.
Anything you say can be used to reduce the claim. Let us handle all contact with the insurance company so you can focus on your family.
Preserve the evidence.
The vehicle, the scene, the equipment, the records. Evidence disappears quickly. We move to secure it before it is gone or altered.
Understand who can bring the claim.
In Oregon, a wrongful death claim is brought by the personal representative of the estate on behalf of the family. We help you sort out who that is and how it works.
Mind the deadline.
Wrongful death claims have a strict filing deadline. Waiting too long can end the claim before it begins.
We anticipate every move because we used to make them.
Our partners spent decades defending insurers, hospitals, and corporations in death and serious injury cases. They know how the other side values a life, where they look to cut, and what evidence forces a real number.
That is the difference between a family handling this alone and a family with a firm that has sat in every seat at the table. We carry the legal weight so you can carry the rest.
Senior partner Drake Hood spent nearly thirty years on wrongful death and serious injury litigation, on the defense side. He knows exactly how these cases are valued and defended.
Meet Drake Hood →Wrongful death · Washington County
A widow was told within 48 hours that her husband was at fault and her claim was limited. We found two witnesses the adjuster never contacted. The carrier settled for $1.4 million before a lawsuit was filed.
Common questions.
Who can file a wrongful death claim in Oregon?
The claim is brought by the personal representative of the estate, on behalf of the surviving family members who suffered loss. If no representative has been appointed, we help the family establish one.
How long do we have to file?
Oregon's wrongful death statute generally allows three years from the date of death, though related deadlines can be shorter depending on the facts. It is best to talk to a lawyer early so no deadline is missed.
What can a wrongful death claim recover?
It can include economic losses such as medical and funeral expenses and lost financial support, as well as non-economic losses like the loss of the relationship and companionship. Every case is different.
Can we afford a lawyer right now?
Yes. We work on contingency and advance the costs of building the case. There is no fee unless we win, and the first consultation is free.
Talk to a lawyer who knows the other side.
Free consultation. No fee unless we win. We tell you exactly where you stand.