Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Benefits for Oregon Car Accidents
If you own and drive a car in the Portland, Oregon, area, then you know state law requires you to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance. This includes not only minimum liability coverage in the event you cause an accident but also personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which can pay benefits to you… Read More »
Why Negligence Is Not Enough to Prove Damages in aa Portland Personal Injury Claim
You might think that just because you can prove someone caused your car accident, that is all you need to demand compensation. Proving negligence, however, is just the first step. Indeed, even in cases where a defendant admits they were negligent in causing a car accident, the plaintiff still needs to connect the defendant’s… Read More »
When Is a “Sudden Medical Emergency” a Defense to an Oregon Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Personal injury claims are based on the legal concept of negligence. For instance, in the context of a car accident, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant was negligent in their failure to safely operate their vehicle as a reasonable person would under the circumstances. So if the defendant, say, suddenly changed lanes without… Read More »
Can You Sue the Parents of a Teen Driver Who Caused Your Oregon Car Accident?
If you are injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, Oregon law allows you to file a personal injury claim to recover your losses. But suppose your accident was caused by a reckless teenage driver operating their parents’ car. Could you sue the parents for causing your accident? The answer to… Read More »
How Long Do I Have to File an Oregon Personal Injury Lawsuit Against a Non-Resident of Oregon?
Time is often not on your side when it comes to personal injury claims in Oregon. The general rule is that you have two years from the date of your injury to file and serve a lawsuit on the defendant; i.e., the person whom you alleged caused your injury. This statute of limitations is… Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accident Compensation in Oregon
Portland has some of the strongest legal protections for pedestrians in the country. Of course, that does not mean the roads are necessarily safe for people who choose to walk rather than travel by car, bicycle, or motorcycle. Sadly, we represent many pedestrian accident victims who suffer serious and sometimes fatal injuries while attempting… Read More »
Is an Oregon Company Liable for an Employee’s Intentional Infliction of Injuries?
Oregon employers are often held “vicariously” liable for the negligent acts of their employees. For example, if a store hires a driver to make deliveries, and in the course of performing that work the driver runs a red light and hits another car, the victims in the other car can file a personal injury… Read More »
Does a Jury Verdict Need to Be Unanimous in an Oregon Personal Injury Lawsuit?
While most Oregon personal injury cases are settled out of court, some go to a jury trial. And one thing that you may not realize is that in Oregon, a civil jury does not have to render a unanimous verdict. In fact, the Oregon Constitution expressly states, “In civil cases three-fourths of the jury… Read More »
Oregon Appeals Court Revives Lawsuit Against Logging Companies Over Teenager’s Death
We often hear stories about fatal logging accidents killing timber workers here in Oregon. But unsafe logging job sites can also kill or seriously injure others who are not affiliated with the timber industry. For example, in 2021, a 15-year-old girl from Washington State died in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident at an unmarked… Read More »
Does a Lack of a “Wet Floor” Sign Prove a Portland Business Owner’s Liability for a Slip & Fall Accident?
Slip and fall accidents often occur because of a wet floor that is not clearly identified as such. Most people understand that if they see a “wet floor” sign that they need to be careful when walking to avoid slipping. But in the absence of such signage, it may be difficult–if not practically impossible–for… Read More »