Oregon has created a law (ORS 20.080) which is intended to level the playing field for injured parties with smaller claims and to promote these injured parties’ ability to get legal counsel. Generally, the law accomplishes this by awarding lawyer fees to a party who successfully uses a lawyer to represent them in recovering their damages (medical costs, property losses, and other expenses including as lost wages). These fees for your lawyer are awarded if you make a demand for payment under $10,000.00, and the defendant (or their insurance company) declines the offer or offers less than you demand. If you subsequently are awarded more, you are also entitled to attorney fees under the law.
Read MoreValuing any personal injury case requires consideration of many factors, and Personal Injury cases are no exception. The first determination in valuing an Oregon is determining fault. Who is at fault for the accident? Sometimes the answer is not entirely clear. Even though you may share fault (comparative negligence), you still may be entitled to compensation.
Read MorePremises liability claims may allow individuals to recover damages for injuries sustained on someone else's property. These damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and potentially punitive damages if the property owner acted recklessly or intentionally.
Read MoreThis article examines the dangers of pedestrian accidents, which are increasingly according to data. It looks at the current data and trends to provide insight into why these accidents are happening and how to prevent them.
Read MoreYour liability coverage may include Personal Injury Protection ("PIP") or Medical Payments ("Med Pay") benefits. PIP provides a source of payment for YOUR medical bills and some of YOUR wage loss following an auto accident. Further, PIP is no-fault, meaning that it will begin paying on your injuries immediately, rather than waiting for liability to be determined. Similarly, Med Pay provides some coverage for YOUR medical bills. These are called "no-fault" coverages because they pay even if the accident is your fault.
Read MoreA deposition is an oral testimony taken under oath before a trial or arbitration. It is customary that depositions be taken of the parties to a lawsuit. Often depositions are also taken of witnesses and others who might testify at trial. Even though it often takes place in a conference room or office, and the setting is somewhat informal, it is a very important event in any lawsuit.
Read MoreQ: Will my insurance pay my bills if I am hit by a car and injured while riding my bicycle or walking?
A: It depends on what kind of insurance you carry. If you have your own car insurance, an Oregon bicycle accident injury lawyer can help you use your automobile's PIP ("personal injury protection") insurance to immediately provide coverage even if you injured while riding a bicycle or walking.
Read MoreDuring the time of treatment, insurance may or may not be paying the bills, but medical providers still need to get paid. To protect their interests, these medical providers may request a “Letter of Protection” from the personal injury lawyer to ensure that their bills get paid at the time of settlement.
Read MoreIn this post we explore the topic of liens in personal injury cases, specifically those filed by the Personal Injury Liens Unit (PIL) in Oregon, which can include liens by the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). We provide an example of how OHP may file a lien against a settlement, and discuss steps that injured individuals can take, with the help of an experienced attorney, to report injuries to PIL, negotiate lien amounts, and ensure that payments are made correctly and on time.
Read MoreThis post discusses the components of a successful wrongful death case in Oregon, including the need to prove negligence, potential damages, the statute of limitations, and the use of expert witnesses. It emphasizes the importance of working with experienced legal professionals to achieve a favorable outcome.
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