Experienced Eugene Wrongful Death Lawyer

Eugene Wrongful Death Lawyer

Find out why are one of the best Eugene wrongful death law firms

Eugene Wrongful Death Lawyers

Losing a loved one unexpectedly in an accident is devastating—it shatters your world and leaves an unfathomable void. Whether it’s a car crash, workplace incident, or medical malpractice, their sudden departure reverberates throughout your life, compounding the emotional pain with practical challenges and financial burdens.

In such moments of despair, our Eugene wrongful death lawyer can help you seek justice and financial compensation for your loss. We know the emotional and financial toll of losing a loved one is difficult, and we are here to support you through this difficult time.

Contact our Eugene wrongful death attorneys at (503) 746-8808 today to schedule a free consultation.

What Constitutes a Wrongful Death in Eugene?

In Eugene, Oregon, a wrongful death occurs when a person dies due to the negligent, reckless, or intentional actions of another party. To establish a wrongful death claim, it must be shown that the responsible party breached the duty of care and that this breach directly resulted in the death.

Circumstances that Lead to Wrongful Death

Wrongful death occurs under various circumstances, where individuals lose their lives due to the negligence or misconduct of others. Common causes leading to such tragic outcomes include:

Product Liability: Design defects, manufacturing defects, or inadequate product warnings can lead to fatal accidents or injuries.
Intentional Acts: Criminal acts such as assault, homicide, or other deliberate misconduct can lead to wrongful deaths.

In 2022, Eugene reported three homicides, marking an increase compared to the two homicides recorded in 2021. [1]

Medical Malpractice: Medical negligence including misdiagnosis, surgical mistakes, prescription errors, medication errors, or failure to provide proper care, can result in needless deaths.
Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect: Failure to provide proper care, abuse, or neglect in nursing homes or assisted living facilities can result in the deaths of elderly residents.
Premises Liability: Negligence by property owners or managers, such as failure to address hazardous conditions like slippery floors or inadequate security, can result in fatal slip-and-fall accidents on their premises.
Traffic Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents due to negligent or reckless driving, such as speeding, drunk driving, or distracted driving, can lead to fatal collisions.

Eugene witnessed ten auto accident fatalities in 2021, marking a significant increase from the five deaths recorded in 2020. [2]

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Eugene?

In Eugene, Oregon, the surviving spouse can file a wrongful death claim in Eugene, Oregon. If there is no surviving spouse, the surviving children of the deceased are eligible to file a legal claim. This includes both biological and adopted children.

In the absence of both a surviving spouse and surviving children, the surviving natural or adoptive parents of the deceased can file a wrongful death claim.

Moreover, a personal representative of the deceased individual’s estate also has the authority to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the beneficiaries. The personal representative is typically named in the deceased individual’s will or appointed by the court if there is no will. [3]

Eugene Wrongful Death Lawyers
What Constitutes a Wrongful Death in Eugene?
Circumstances that Lead to Wrongful Death
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Eugene?
Factors to Consider in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Damages Available in Wrongful Death Claims in Eugene, Oregon
Benefits of Hiring Goldberg & Loren's Wrongful Death Lawyer in Eugene

Eugene Practice Areas

Factors to Consider in Wrongful Death Lawsuits

Wrongful death lawsuits provide a legal avenue for seeking justice & compensation for the loss suffered due to the death of your loved one.

Here’s how our Eugene personal injury attorneys can assist you in considering the factors involved in filing wrongful death lawsuits:

Determining Responsible Party:

When it comes to identifying the responsible party, we begin by gathering background information to clarify the details and roles of all individuals or entities involved. It includes pinpointing every potential party that could bear responsibility, whether they are individuals, companies, or organizations.

Our team will collect relevant evidence, such as documents, contracts, and communication records, to establish accountability and evaluate the actions or decisions of each party. We will meticulously analyze them to identify any breaches of agreements, instances of negligence, or other critical factors that may indicate responsibility.

Gather Evidence to Support the Claim:

Gathering evidence is critical when pursuing a wrongful death claim, as it helps support your case and establish liability. Our wrongful death attorneys can assist you in this process by beginning with the systematic collection of documentation related to the incident. It includes accident reports, medical records, and any communications with the parties involved.

We will help you obtain witness statements and testimonies, which can provide valuable firsthand accounts of the events. Importantly, we can guide you in preserving physical evidence, such as photographs of the scene, damaged property, or any relevant objects that may contribute to your case.

We will also assist in compiling financial records to demonstrate the economic impact of the death, including lost wages and funeral expenses, which can strengthen your claim further. Working closely with our experienced wrongful death attorneys will ensure that you navigate the evidence-gathering process effectively, allowing us to document and present all pertinent information to strengthen your pursuit of compensation and justice.

Statute of Limitations for Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit:

According to Oregon Revised Statute 30.020, the Statute of Limitations for wrongful death cases is generally three years. Failing to file within the specified time frame may result in the case being dismissed by the court, barring any opportunity for legal recourse. Hiring our experienced attorney is paramount to ensure compliance with the time limit.

Damages Available in Wrongful Death Claims in Eugene, Oregon

Damages available in wrongful death claims in Eugene, Oregon, are intended to compensate surviving family members for the losses you have suffered due to the death of your loved one. These wrongful death damages may include:

Economic Damages: These include quantifiable financial losses incurred as a result of the death, such as medical bills related to the final injury or illness, burial expenses, funeral costs, loss of income or financial support that the deceased would have provided, and the value of household services that the deceased would have performed.
Non-Economic Damages: These damages compensate for more intangible losses, such as the emotional pain and suffering experienced by surviving family members, loss of companionship, consortium, guidance, or nurturing that the deceased would have provided, and the mental anguish caused by the untimely death.
Punitive Damages: In some instances involving extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct by the fault party, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.

Benefits of Hiring Goldberg & Loren's Wrongful Death Lawyer in Eugene

By hiring Goldberg & Loren’s wrongful death lawyers, you can focus on grieving and healing while we handle the legal aspects of your case, ensuring your rights are protected and seeking justice for your loved one.

Wrongful Death Experience: Our legal team has focused on wrongful death cases since 1994, bringing the experience to navigate complex legal matters associated with these claims.
Thorough Investigation: Our wrongful death attorneys conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the wrongful death, gathering critical evidence to build a strong case for liability and compensation.
Maximizing Compensation: Goldberg & Loren diligently assess the full extent of damages, including financial losses and emotional suffering, to pursue maximum compensation for our clients.
Skilled Negotiation and Litigation Experience: Our wrongful death attorneys are adept negotiators who strive for fair settlements with insurance companies or responsible parties to secure optimal outcomes without unnecessary litigation. If necessary, our aggressive attorneys effectively represent clients in court, advocating for their rights and seeking justice.
Transparent Communication: Clients benefit from clear and transparent communication throughout the legal process, ensuring they are informed and involved in all case decisions.
Local Knowledge and Reputation: We are familiar with local wrongful death laws, courts, and procedures in Oregon, which enhances our ability to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients.

Contact Goldberg & Loren today to represent your family in a wrongful death lawsuit and pay no upfront costs for legal representation. Get your free consultation today.

FAQs

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Eugene, Oregon?

In Eugene, Oregon, surviving family members, including spouses, children, parents, or a personal representative of the deceased can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

What if the deceased person did not have a will or estate plan?

Even if the deceased person did not have a will or estate plan, a personal representative can still be appointed by the court to bring a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the surviving family members.

What are the benefits of hiring a wrongful death lawyer on a contingency fee basis?

Hiring a wrongful death lawyer on a contingency fee basis means you pay no upfront costs for legal representation. The lawyer's fees are contingent upon successfully recovering compensation for your case, making legal representation more accessible and risk-free for families dealing with wrongful death.

Sources:

[1] Crime Statistics | Eugene, OR Website. (n.d.). https://www.eugene-or.gov/542/Crime-Statistics

[2] Fatal car crashes and road traffic accidents in Eugene, Oregon. (n.d.). https://www.city-data.com/accidents/acc-Eugene-Oregon.html

[3] ORS 30.020 – Action for wrongful death. (n.d.). https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_30.020

Goldberg & Loren
Address: 590 Pearl St, Eugene, OR 97401
Phone: (503) 746-8808

If you have recently lost a loved one and are looking to file a wrongful death lawsuit, contact our Eugene wrongful death attorneys today. We fight for the compensation your family deserves.

George Goldberg
Senior Partner