Criminal charges may be appropriate where a wrong doer intentionally or with callous disregard for others, causes death. The decision whether to charge criminally usually rests with the district attorney in the county where the crime occurred. It is crucial that the family of the deceased, through its lawyer, contact the district attorney to express…
You were injured because of someone else’s mistake. You are not the litigious type, so you dutifully keep the insurer for the party at fault appraised of your injuries, lost time from work and recovery. You provide the adjuster with documentation of your losses. You are hopeful for an amicable settlement. Then the offer arrives….
Old habits die hard. Most insurance adjusters are trained to aggressively defend and investigate claims so the insurance company they work for will pay as little as possible. The energy insurers put toward limiting personal injury compensation, is enormous. As discussed below, that effort can be flipped to the benefit of the plaintiff in a…
It depends. We all would rather have money sooner than later. But, if you settle too soon you risk settling short. Settlements are final. Thus, you should not attempt to resolve your Oregon personal injury claim before the full effects of your injury and impact to your finances are known. Again, you won’t get anything…
Every client I have ever represented, understandably wants to know… ”How much is my case worth?” Just as a house is worth what a reasonable buyer and seller says it is, the value of a personal injury is the amount a decision maker (judge, jury or arbitrator) says it. Here are 5 key factors impacting…
Both public and private hospitals are prohibited by law from denying a patient care in an emergency. The Emergency Medical and Treatment Labor Act (EMTLA) passed by Congress in 1986 forbids the denial of care to indigent or uninsured patients based on a lack of ability to pay. Patient Protection under the Emergency Medical and…
Although a refreshing breeze feels good from an open upstairs window, parents need to guard their small children from tragic falls. Each year in the United States, 15 to 20 children under the age of 11 die and nearly 15,000 are injured falling from open windows. Child Critically Injured in Fall in Southeast Portland’s Powellhurst-Gilbert…
Children ages 5 to 14 are seen in emergency rooms more often for injuries related to biking than any other sport, and wearing a bike helmet is the single most effective safety device available to reduce head injury and death from bicycle crashes. We know that helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injury…
Riding a jet ski (or personal watercraft) is exciting — but dangerous. Although statistics show that jet skis are not involved in more accidents than other watercraft, accidents involving jet skis are more likely to be serious or fatal. You can minimize your chances of accident and injury while riding a jet ski if you:…
The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety reports that alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. One alcoholic beverage on the water has the same effect as having three on land, affecting balance, vision, coordination and judgment. On the water, the motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind, and spray all…