Here are some highlights of what you can expect a Portland wrongful death lawyer to do in a typical case. This is only a selection; there is much more, but since every case is different, we have singled out some of the more common tasks so you can get a flavor. Preserve all evidence: take… read more
Tag: Accident Attorneys
If your loved one had life insurance, that policy should pay separately from any wrongful death claim. People usually name specific beneficiaries in their life insurance policies. If the life insurance policy does name specific beneficiaries, then the life insurance company should pay those claims. Some people also have Accidental Death clauses added to their… read more
Insurance Policy Limits Oregon
Every insurance policy has limits. This is the maximum amount that the insurance company will have to pay. Automobile insurance limits are typically quoted as two numbers with a slash between them. For example, as of this writing, ORS 806.070 requires that an automobile policy issued in Oregon must have liability limits of at least… read more
Liability Insurance and Policy Limits
Every driver in Oregon is required to have liability insurance. Liability insurance is meant to protect you if you are legally responsible for an automobile accident. It is also a possible source of compensation in a Portland wrongful death case resulting from a car crash because the deceased person’s family can bring a claim against… read more
“Venue” means where a lawsuit is filed. The options are Federal Court or State Court, and then within the State Court system, a particular county must be chosen. This is a complicated decision that depends upon the specific details of your case, but here’s an overview of why “where” is very important. In general, State… read more
Meeting with and Choosing Your Attorney
Choosing a lawyer is of course a crucial step in the process. You should interview several lawyers, and you should ask them hard questions. Take notes, and feel free to bring a trusted friend or relative with you. But do be aware that the presence of a friend may negate the confidentiality of the meeting,… read more
This is a Commitment – Are You Ready?
You may be surprised to read this in a post written by lawyers who focus on personal injury and wrongful death claims, but a wrongful death claim is NOT for everyone. It will require a commitment of both time and energy – probably yours – to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. We write “probably yours,” because… read more
Hiring a Lawyer or Other Professional to Serve as Personal Representative
Sometimes a judge may appoint a personal representative who is not a beneficiary. When this happens, the person appointed is usually a professional who does this sort of thing for a living, often a lawyer. Because it’s a job, the person gets paid. This is usually done when the only beneficiaries are all under 18,… read more
Appeals Court Rules Implied Consent Is Coercion
In a September 30, 2009, Oregon Court of Appeals ruling, the court equated implied consent laws with coercion, calling into question the constitutionality of state rules mandating consent to intoxicant testing as a condition for obtaining a license. Oregon’s implied consent law says anyone licensed to drive is considered to have consented in advance to… read more
Oregon Attorney Killed in Head-On Crash
Date: September 30, 2009 Location: U.S. Highway 20 near Buchanan, Oregon Names: Charles Simmons, Sterling Wilson, Pamela Wilson Charles Simmons, 32, an attorney from Nyssa, Oregon, was killed around 7:20 AM, September 30, 2009, in a head-on collision while on his way to Harney County Circuit Court in Burns for a hearing. The Argus Observer… read more