If you have lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence, you deserve to have committed, compassionate Portland wrongful death lawyers on your side. Losing a loved one is always traumatic, and the situation is made even worse when their death was preventable. You must deal with medical costs, funeral arrangements, and tons of paperwork. You must do all of this while also grieving your loved one.
You can sue for wrongful death in Oregon, but these cases and the court system can be hard to navigate. That is not a path you have to travel alone.
Why Choose Strong Law as Your Wrongful Death Lawyers in Portland, OR?
Our attorneys at Strong Law believe in getting results by being fully committed to each and every client. They are tenacious fighters in protecting the rights of victims of crime and their loved ones. Read our client testimonials to see how our past work has affected people’s lives in otherwise painful situations.
“While working a wrongful death case of my husband’s, throughout the legal process, Jed pursued every possible resource and angle to ensure that we would receive policy limits despite intense resistance from the representatives of the insurance companies. We are deeply grateful to him for the funds we received and the lasting friendship that grew from the entire ordeal.” – Client testimonial.
As important as having a good relationship with your wrongful death attorneys is, it is also essential that they get the results you are looking for. Our attorneys at Strong Law are well-versed in insurance companies’ tactics to lowball settlements. We will not let them. In a recent lawful death case, our attorneys secured a $1.5 million settlement for a woman whose husband died after being hit by debris from a poorly maintained roof. We will fight just as hard in your case.
Our team at Strong Law has a 98%-win rate. If your loved one was killed due to someone else’s negligence, contact our Portland wrongful death attorneys to get the support you need
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What Can Strong Law Do for You?
Strong Law founder Jed Strong used to work as an in-house attorney for an insurance company. He saw the inner workings and how the company treated its customers. He quit that job and started representing accident victims. He now uses his inside knowledge to help advocate vigorously on behalf of his clients.
“One of the main reasons I left GEICO and founded Strong Law is that working for an insurance company made me almost feel dirty. Whenever I would get a “good” result for the insurance company, it just meant that I assisted the company in preventing an injured person from recovering the compensation they were due. I quickly decided that the insurance companies had plenty of attorneys, and I could be a much greater help to society by putting my skills and talents to work for injured people, rather than insurance companies.” – Jed Strong.
Strong Law Attorney Peter Barnett is equally committed to helping people through the most challenging times of their lives. He worked in the insurance and banking industries before he joined Strong Law. He was tired of the injustices he saw and joined Strong Law to fight for people who have been injured and need a voice in fighting insurance companies.
What is Considered a Wrongful Death in Oregon?
Under Oregon Statute 30.020, wrongful deaths are defined as happening due to the wrongful acts or omissions of others. These are acts or omissions for which the deceased could have filed a personal injury lawsuit if they survived. This covers things including but not limited to:
- Negligence, such as in a car accident
- Medical malpractice
- Intentional acts such as criminal behavior.
It can be tough to prove that someone else’s actions or inactions led to the death of your loved one. To prove negligence, you must show that the other party had a duty of care and that they did not live up to it. Someone driving drunk or engaging in street racing who kills your loved one did not exercise their duty of care, and you have the right to compensation from them and their insurance company.
Assigning Blame in Oregon Negligence Cases
Oregon is a comparative negligence state. You can only collect on a wrongful death claim if the other party was found to be most responsible for your loved one’s death. If their own actions caused them to die, a portion of the blame is assigned to them. For example, if the total cost of your loved one’s death was $1 million, but they were found to be 25% at fault, you can collect up to $750,000.
You also must show the financial harm caused by your loved one’s death to get a settlement or verdict in your favor. To prove that your loved one could have sued for personal injuries had they survived, our personal injury attorneys can review your case to determine if you have the basis for a wrongful death suit.
Take time with your loved ones to grieve. Let our Strong Law wrongful death attorneys take on the burden of working out the details of your case.
Proving a Wrongful Death in Oregon
You must prove that someone else’s actions or inactions led to your loved one’s death. This can be particularly hard to do since the person who knows exactly what happened is no longer with us to testify. To build a compelling case, your attorney is going to have to collect a lot of information, including but not limited to the following:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Any video evidence available for the events that led to your loved one’s death
- Witness statements
- Proof of income and future earning potential.
Digging for and combing through these records can be time-consuming and painful if you attempt to do them on your own. When you partner with our Strong Law wrongful death lawyers, we take on those difficult tasks for you. We will interview witnesses and conduct thorough investigations into the events that led to the death of your loved one. We will leave no stone unturned to uncover the truth and hold the responsible party accountable.
We’ve helped thousands of accident victims like you
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“Very professional, and treated me as an equal.”
Just wanted to say thank you to Jed and his team at Strong Law. Not only was I happy with the outcome, but the entire process as a whole. I would definitely recommend this firm to anyone. Thanks again.
“Unbelievable work!”
I had a claim involving my own insurance company. I tried to negotiate with them, and they completely denied my claim – two times. I then hired Strong Law, and the change was instant. The insurance company immediately began negotiating, and Jed was able to secure an unbelievably good settlement. I will never again attempt to take-on an insurance company without Strong Law in my corner. Thank you!”
“I got justice and awesome compensation.”
“I hired Strong Law after my car accident. Jed and his team worked hard on my case. They were professional and compassionate through my surgery and as I recovered, and they were awesome on communication. I got justice and awesome compensation. I would recommend Strong Law to anyone in my situation.”
Commonly Asked Questions About Wrongful Death Claims
Trying to grieve for your loved one while finding answers about holding someone accountable can be overwhelming. Here are some questions people ask our Portland wrongful death lawyers:
How is a Wrongful Death Suit Different Than a Survival Action?
A wrongful death suit is meant to compensate for your loved one’s death. A survival action is when the family steps in to replace their deceased loved one in a lawsuit they would have pursued if not for their death. For example, if your spouse could have filed a breach of contract suit, their estate can take over that action in court and pursue damages.
How Long Will a Wrongful Death Claim Take?
It may take some time to see the results of your wrongful death lawsuit. These are complex legal proceedings in which we must prove the other party was at fault and that there was economic harm.
How Much Can I Recover in a Wrongful Death Claim?
The amount of your damages depends on factors like how old your loved one was and the circumstances under which they died. Higher awards are likely if the death caused a significant loss of income, and pain and suffering.
How Much Will My Wrongful Death Claim Cost?
At Strong Law, we do not want you to worry about paying attorney’s fees on top of your other expenses. We will fight vigorously on your behalf for as long as it takes, and we will not charge you any fees unless you collect compensation.
Your relationship with your wrongful death attorneys should be a partnership. We understand that you are going through an exceedingly challenging time. We will ask you questions and gather information in a way that is as compassionate and non-intrusive as possible. We also want to know what you expect of us. We are here to help you get the justice you deserve when your loved one was killed due to negligent or malicious acts. We will answer any questions you may have to further that end.
Call Strong Law at (206) 737-3496 for a free consultation with our wrongful death lawyers in Portland, OR.
Damages Your Wrongful Death Lawyers in Portland Can Fight For
When you are trying to settle a wrongful death claim through negotiations or the courts, you can ask for several types of damages. Forms of compensation you need and deserve include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Hospital and other medical expenses related to the injury that caused the death
- Pain and suffering that your loved one experienced between their injury and death
- Lost wages and benefits that your loved one would have earned if they lived
- Loss of companionship.
In some instances, your wrongful death attorney in Portland can also argue for punitive damages. If the person who caused your loved one’s death did so intentionally or with extreme negligence, you might be able to add punitive damages to your claim. This sends a message to society that the other party’s behavior was particularly bad.
When Do You Have to File Your Claim for Wrongful Death?
You have three years from the death of a loved one to sue for wrongful death as set out in Oregon Statute 30.020. The law allows spouses, children, and parents to collect from wrongful death claims and, in some cases, stepchildren and stepparents. If you do not file within three years, the other party’s insurance company will fight to dismiss any future claims.
Let Our Wrongful Death Attorneys in Portland Take on Insurance Companies for You
If you file a wrongful death claim, do not sit down with the other party’s insurance company on your own. Insurance companies care more about their bottom lines than they do the horrible experience you are going through following the death of your loved one.
They use tactics like getting a recorded statement from you in your time of grief. They then try to use that statement against you in a wrongful death claim. For example, they may try to get you to say something they can turn around to mean your loved one was at fault.
Insurance companies also offer quick settlements in the hopes of ending your case. This is particularly egregious in wrongful death claims, as they are taking advantage of your grief and the fact that you are overwhelmed. They want you to take a small amount and move on before you, and your wrongful death attorney has time to do a thorough investigation. The attorneys at Strong Law are well-versed in insurance companies’ tactics, and we will not let them get away with it.
Do not face the insurance company on your own. Let the wrongful death attorneys at Strong Law speak on your behalf and stop the insurance company’s shameful tactics in their tracks. Call us today at (206) 737-3496.
Get the Help You Need in Trying Times from Our Portland Wrongful Death Lawyers
When a loved one dies, you end up with a lot on your plate in taking care of yourself and the rest of your family. You have death-related bills to pay, and you must figure out how to keep going economically if your loved one was the primary breadwinner.
It is hard to do this while also taking time to grieve your loved one and find a way to move on. If someone else caused the death of your loved one and you deserve compensation, our wrongful death attorneys are ready to jump into action on your behalf. Let us worry about investigating the death and identifying the responsible parties.
Whether in settlement negotiations with an insurance company or court, you can count on Strong Law to be your firmest advocate. Meet with our wrongful death attorneys in Portland, OR, for a free consultation regarding the death of your loved one. Call Strong Law today at (206) 737-3496 or contact us.
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How Strong Law will handle you case
Gather evidence, interview witnesses, and assess the circumstances surrounding the accident to establish facts and liability.
Determine the extent of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Engage in discussions with the opposing party or insurance companies to reach a fair settlement outside of court.
If negotiations fail, proceed to court where legal arguments and evidence are presented before a judge or jury for a final decision.
Insider experience
We know how to fight big insurance companies
Prior to representing accident victims, Jed worked for GEICO insurance company as one of its in-house attorneys – representing the insurance companies. After learning the inner workings of insurance companies, he quit and began representing accident victims.
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We want to help you get the legal advice you need with no upfront fees. There is no obligation to use our law firm and we only get paid if you win your case.
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Our team of legal experts pride themselves on going above and beyond for our clients. We provide you answers and solutions to the legal issues you may experience from your accident.
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Frequently asked questions
Have other questions? Get in touch with our team at info@stronglawattorneys.com
What Is the Value of My Case?
The value of an injury case depends upon many factors related to the extent of your injuries and any other losses associated with your claim. You may have medical bills, lost income, costs associated with pain and suffering, among other possible damages. To learn the possible value of your case, contact the team at Strong Law. In a free case evaluation, we’ll let you know how much your case may be worth.
What Are Your Hours?
Strong Law is open five days a week between 9am and 5pm. In addition, we offer after hours return calls, weekend calls, and online chat.
What Kinds Of Cases Are Personal Injury?
Call us to know for sure, but a good rule of thumb is when an “accident” that happened to you because of the acts of or misdeeds of another party. Examples are: Auto accidents; motorcycle accidents; semi-truck accidents; wrongful death; medical malpractice; slip, trip and fall; boating accidents, faulty equipment, nursing home abuse; and many others.
Will I Be Charged To Consult Or Talk With You?
No, not ever. Strong Law is a contingency personal injury firm offering specialized experience along with access when you need it. Our goal is to gain the best settlement and provide comfort in the process, so easy access to us is part of our best practices.
What Does Contingency Mean?
Contingency in a legal matter means an expense to the client based on the outcome of a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty. Said another way, Strong Law gets paid only if your case settles.
Can You Give Me An Assessment Of My Case?
Absolutely. While we cannot guarantee anything, nor do we imply a settlement, our willingness to take your case (and do it on contingency) is our voice that we feel your case has strong merit. After speaking with you, we can provide a merit assessment over the phone. However, we caution that accepting your case does not promise anything, your outcome is reflected in the law firm you choose.
What Should I Do If I’m Having Problems, Like Their Insurance Company Is Calling Me?
Always secure an attorney first. If you sign up with Strong Law now, you can advise their insurance company that you have representation and give them our name and contact information. From that time forward, they should not be contacting you again; it’s the law. If you do not sign with an attorney, like Strong Law, you will need to speak with them and represent yourself to resolve your injury. We strongly urge against this; insurance companies are skilled at ensuring their best interests over yours.
What Are Common Reasons For Insurance Injury Denials?
Make sure you receive medical treatment as soon as possible after an accident, otherwise insurance may argue your pain is from an unrelated incident.Insurance companies will be going out of their way to find some proof that the accident was your fault. Don’t be intimidated.If you have preexisting medical conditions that make you more likely to suffer an injury, it is not uncommon for insurance agencies to deny claims based on this.
How Long Does A Case Take To Settle?
It depends on many factors like medical care, future needs, evidence, proof of liability, and many others. Some cases take months while others can last a couple years. Ultimately, our goal is to represent you and what is going to be best for you in the long run.
Why Can Cases Last Years?
Because the law dictates it. There are many layers to make sure the insurance companies treat you with optimal care. For example, there will be time spent for medical treatments you might need. There is time to gather the needed medical reports and discover any long term impacts this injury will have on your life today and into the future. There is time for the other side to review our demands, research, and respond as well. It can feel like a long time, but we follow the law and strategize for the best benefit to you. We are with you the whole time.
