The Questions Families Ask Most After a Wrongful Death Incident
Losing a loved one unexpectedly is a catastrophic, life-altering experience. When that unexpected loss stems from someone else’s negligence or reckless misconduct, the grief is often compounded by profound confusion and outrage. In the wake of such a tragedy, Oregon families are thrust into an overwhelming world of medical bills, insurance inquiries, and complex legal […]
What Compensation Can Be Sought in an Oregon Wrongful Death Case?
Table of Content What Is a Wrongful Death Claim? Types of Compensation Available in Oregon Who Can Receive Compensation? How Compensation Is Evaluated What to Know About Timing What to Do Next After a Wrongful Death Losing a loved one is never something a family is prepared for, especially when the loss is tied to […]
These articles are for families after a death caused by someone else’s negligence in Oregon: a crash on a Central Oregon highway, a trucking collision, a fall, a death on a work site. They explain who can bring a wrongful death claim, what it can recover and how long the family has.
Under ORS 30.020, the claim is brought by the personal representative of the estate for the surviving spouse, children, parents and other heirs. It must be filed within three years, and a claim against a public body needs written notice within one year (ORS 30.275). Damages can include medical, funeral and memorial expenses, the income and support the person would have provided, the loss of their society and companionship, and the pain the person suffered before death.
Wrongful death cases are prepared for trial from the start, because the insurer values the claim on what a jury would do, and the evidence that proves fault, from vehicle data to scene photographs and witness statements, has to be preserved in the first weeks. The personal representative is often a grieving spouse or adult child handling an estate at the same time, so part of the work is keeping the legal side off their desk. For a free, confidential consultation with a Bend wrongful death attorney, call 541-948-8830.